Charles Vandyck

Head, Capacity Development Unit , West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

Accra, Ghana

I am a development practitioner, author and podcaster with deep experience strengthening civil society through systems-change thinking and locally led approaches. I support organisations and funders with training, coaching and strategic guidance, helping them build stronger leadership, resilience and effectiveness while advancing people-centred, community-rooted change across the Global Majority.

Contact Charles Vandyck
Area of Expertise:
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
Professional Experience:

Over nearly two decades, I have built a career dedicated to strengthening civil society institutions, advancing systems-change processes, and supporting locally led development across West Africa and the wider Global Majority. My work spans organisational development, capacity strengthening, leadership support, governance enhancement, and strategic partnership building, with a strong commitment to equity, resilience, and community-rooted impact.

West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Accra, Ghana — Head, Capacity Development Unit (2015–Present)
In my current role, I provide strategic leadership and oversight for WACSI’s Capacity Development Unit, shaping institutional priorities, programme direction, and collaboration strategies to strengthen civil society across West Africa. I serve as a thought leader within the organisation and the wider sector, steering dialogue on civil society sustainability, effectiveness, and the future of locally led development.

I lead the design and implementation of capacity-strengthening programmes that enhance organisational systems, leadership, and long-term resilience. My work includes developing context-responsive interventions that support civil society actors to navigate complex environments, adapt to emerging challenges, and strengthen accountability, governance, and operational models. I build and sustain strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international institutions to mobilise resources, share expertise, and amplify civil society influence.

I also oversee mentoring and learning initiatives that strengthen leadership pipelines, governance capacities, financial sustainability, and innovation within civil society organisations. My responsibilities include supervising programme teams and consultants, ensuring effective collaboration and continuous improvement. I lead monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes to ensure programme quality, promote reflective practice, and measure tangible impact.

Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington DC, USA — Member, International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (2016–2019)
As a member of the global consortium, I contributed field-based research and analysis on the drivers of shrinking civic space across the Global South. I produced policy-oriented insights and practical recommendations for donors, civil society, and development practitioners seeking to respond to restrictive environments. This work strengthened global understanding of civic space dynamics and informed actionable strategies to safeguard fundamental freedoms.

West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Accra, Ghana — Programme Officer, Training and Capacity Building (2008–2014)
In this role, I developed and facilitated organisational learning initiatives to strengthen civil society effectiveness. I supported organisations undergoing change processes, helping them refine systems, improve institutional performance, and adopt more sustainable practices. I delivered mentoring, on-site coaching, and learning resources tailored to the needs of diverse CSOs, enhancing their management, governance, and strategic capabilities.

West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Accra, Ghana — Volunteer (2007–2008)
As a volunteer, I supported programme teams through report writing, proposal development, and preparation of policy briefs. I contributed to needs assessment processes and prepared post-workshop narrative and evaluation reports, laying a foundation for my long-term engagement with civil society strengthening.

Central University, Accra, Ghana — Teaching Assistant, Accounting & Finance Department (2003–2006)
I assisted in teaching strategic management, financial management, and human resource management. I also designed in-service training programmes for departmental staff, contributing to academic development and professional skill enhancement.

Education:

Between 2006 and 2007, I pursued a Master of Development Management (MDM) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). This period was foundational in shaping my professional orientation toward development practice, institutional strengthening, and public sector leadership. The programme provided a rigorous grounding in development theory, policy analysis, organisational management, and strategic planning. It also deepened my ability to understand and respond to the complex socio-economic challenges faced by communities and institutions across Ghana and the wider African region.

My time at GIMPA offered far more than classroom learning. It was an opportunity to engage closely with practitioners, policymakers, and academics working across various fields of governance and development. Through interactive seminars, case-based learning approaches, and applied research, I gained a nuanced understanding of how development interventions are designed, implemented, and sustained. This exposure strengthened my skills in critical thinking, systems analysis, and results-oriented management—competencies that have continued to influence my approach to organisational leadership and capacity development.

During this period, I also became a member of the Development Studies Association (DSA) in the United Kingdom. Membership of the DSA expanded my access to global development research networks, contemporary debates, and emerging insights from scholars and practitioners working across the Global South and Global North. It enhanced my ability to situate local development realities within broader global frameworks, especially in areas related to civil society resilience, governance reforms, and power-shifting within international development cooperation.

Prior to my postgraduate studies, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance at Central University, Ghana, from 1998 to 2002. This programme laid the analytical and financial foundation that has been critical in my subsequent professional work. Through courses in financial management, accounting, economics, investment analysis, and banking operations, I developed a strong appreciation for financial systems, risk assessment, and resource mobilisation. This background has proven especially valuable in my work with civil society organisations, where financial sustainability, strategic budgeting, and accountability mechanisms are central to institutional effectiveness and long-term impact.

Together, these academic experiences have equipped me with a unique blend of development management expertise and financial discipline. They continue to inform my leadership approach, my contribution to civil society strengthening, and my commitment to fostering effective, equitable, and locally driven development across Africa.

Available for:

  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

15-20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English

Nationality:

Ghana

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