The African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has announced a vacancy for a full-time Project Coordinator to oversee the City Hall Fellowship Programme and provide administrative support to the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Data Programme. The position is offered on a 12-month contract from approximately June 2026 to June 2027, with the possibility of renewal.

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, the role presents a unique opportunity for professionals interested in urban governance, city leadership, higher education, and development across Africa. The successful candidate will work within the AMALI Data Programme team, which operates under the African Centre for Cities and supports mayors and municipal leaders in strengthening data-driven decision-making across African cities.

ACC Strengthens Urban Leadership and Research Across Africa

Established in 2007, the African Centre for Cities has become one of Africa’s leading urban research institutes. Located within the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics in UCT’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, the centre promotes interdisciplinary research and innovation on urban challenges facing cities across the continent.

Through initiatives such as the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative, ACC works closely with city leaders to strengthen governance, improve urban management, and support the implementation of long-term development goals. The programme provides technical expertise, leadership support, and data-driven solutions to African mayors throughout their term of office.

City Hall Fellowship Programme Expands Opportunities for Students

A key responsibility of the new Project Coordinator will be managing the City Hall Fellowship Programme, an initiative designed to connect postgraduate students with local government leaders across Africa.

The fellowship programme embeds Master’s and PhD students in participating AMALI cities for up to ten weeks. During their placements, students work directly with city leaders and municipal teams, providing research, technical support, and innovative solutions to urban development challenges.

The Project Coordinator will oversee all aspects of the programme, ensuring that students, city governments, and academic partners benefit from a well-structured and impactful experience.

Key Responsibilities of the Project Coordinator

The successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring the effective delivery of the fellowship programme and the smooth operation of the AMALI Data Programme.

Key responsibilities include:

Establishing and coordinating an advisory group consisting of conveners from relevant UCT master’s programmes.
Organising regular meetings with academic advisors and programme stakeholders.
Working closely with AMALI team members and external partners to align fellowship objectives with broader programme goals.
Managing recruitment and selection processes for fellowship participants.
Coordinating student placements in African cities.
Matching students with suitable city-based mentors and advisors.
Organising travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements for fellows.
Supporting supervisors and mentors throughout the fellowship cycle.
Ensuring high-quality outputs are produced to assist city leaders in achieving their legacy goals.
Maintaining programme documentation and records.
Preparing reports for funders, stakeholders, and institutional partners.

The position requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders across different countries and sectors.

Supporting Data-Driven Urban Governance

In addition to coordinating the fellowship programme, the Project Coordinator will provide administrative support to the AMALI Data Programme.

The programme currently consists of a Data Programme Lead and four City Data Advisors who work directly with city governments across Africa. Their primary objective is to improve how municipalities collect, analyse, and use data to guide decision-making and service delivery.

The Project Coordinator will support the team by:

Managing travel and meeting logistics.
Coordinating programme schedules and timelines.
Assisting with project administration.
Managing office operations and resources.
Ensuring programme milestones and deliverables are achieved on time.

This component of the role is essential in maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of one of Africa’s leading urban data initiatives.

Opportunity to Contribute to Africa’s Urban Future

The vacancy comes at a time when African cities are experiencing rapid urbanisation, increasing demand for public services, and growing pressure on local governments to deliver sustainable development outcomes.

Through the City Hall Fellowship Programme and the broader AMALI initiative, the African Centre for Cities aims to build stronger links between academia, municipal governance, and urban innovation.

By supporting city leaders and emerging researchers, the programme seeks to create practical solutions that improve governance, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote evidence-based decision-making across the continent.

Commitment to Diversity and Employment Equity

The University of Cape Town has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, transformation, and employment equity in its recruitment process.

As a designated employer, UCT stated that preference will be given to candidates from under-represented designated groups in line with the university’s Employment Equity Plan and transformation objectives.

The institution also highlighted its commitment to protecting applicants’ personal information and ensuring compliance with applicable data protection regulations during the recruitment process.

Application Details

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full job advertisement and submit their applications before the closing date.

Important information:

Position: Project Coordinator (City Hall Fellowship)
Organisation: African Centre for Cities (ACC), University of Cape Town
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Contract Duration: 12 months, renewable subject to funding and performance
Reference Number: 1403
Closing Date: 26 June 2026

The role offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about urban governance, leadership development, research coordination, and sustainable city development in Africa.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

University of Cape Town is Seeking a Project Coordinator for City Hall Fellowship Programme – Apply By 26 June 2026 @Unknown