Senior Curator

Job Title: Senior Curator – TEDxMaitama

Location:
Abuja (Hybrid)

Role Type:
Volunteer/Part-Time (Core Team)

Reports to:
Convener, TEDxMaitama

About TEDxMaitama

TEDxMaitama is an independent TED-licensed initiative committed to ideas worth spreading from Nigeria and across Africa. We convene thought leaders, innovators, creators, and changemakers to spark conversations that shape culture and inspire action.

Role Overview

The
Senior Curator
is the intellectual engine of TEDxMaitama. This person leads the curation of ideas, themes, speakers, and narratives that define our conferences, salons, webinars, and content studios. You will shape the voice, the thinking, and the quality of ideas that appear on the TEDxMaitama stage.

You will work closely with the Convener and the Curation Team to scout remarkable thinkers, sharpen their ideas, and ensure each talk aligns with TED standards of clarity, depth, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Content & Theme Development

• Lead the conceptualization of annual conference themes and storytelling direction.
• Research global and local trends to identify high-impact topics and cultural conversations.
• Develop curation frameworks, content pillars, and idea maps for all TEDxMaitama events.

2. Speaker Scouting & Selection

• Identify, vet, and shortlist potential speakers across sectors: business, policy, technology, science, arts, social impact, culture, and youth innovation.
• Review speaker applications, conduct initial interviews, and assess "idea worth spreading" quality.
• Maintain a strong pipeline/database of potential speakers and thought leaders.

3. Talk Development & Coaching

• Work with speakers to refine their core idea, story arc, and talk structure.
• Ensure talks follow TED principles: clarity, novelty, evidence, and emotional resonance.
• Collaborate with the Speaker Coaches to oversee rehearsal timelines and quality.

4. Event Curation Leadership

• Co-create audience experience journey, storytelling elements, session flow, and program design.
• Work with Production and Communications teams to ensure content is aligned across stage, digital, and print.
• Provide editorial oversight for program guides, speaker announcements, scripts, and promo content.

5. Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement

• Collaborate with partners, advisors, and institutional leaders to source unique voices.
• Represent TEDxMaitama in professional networks, communities, and intellectual circles.

Required Experience & Skills

• Strong background in research, writing, content strategy, program design, journalism, academia, or communication.
• Experience curating events, conferences, or intellectual programs is a major advantage.
• Ability to identify strong ideas, challenge assumptions, and guide speakers to clarity.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism when engaging with high-level leaders and experts.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet timeline-driven targets.

Qualities of a Successful Senior Curator

• Deeply curious and widely read across disciplines
• Sharp thinker with strong editorial judgment
• Emotionally intelligent communicator
• Organized, structured, and detail-oriented
• Passionate about ideas, innovation, and impact
• Collaborative and comfortable giving/receiving feedback

What You Gain

• Work with global-level speakers and top thinkers across Africa
• Access to TED resources, curation guides, and learning opportunities
• Expand your leadership experience in content, research, and intellectual programming
• Be part of a dynamic team shaping one of Nigeria's most influential idea platforms
• Opportunity to influence culture, storytelling, and thought leadership at scale