DTR Brain Trust
CANDIDATE SUPPORT PROGRAMME · 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Matched expertise. Matched impact.
DTR Brain Trust is ElectHER's first structured, cross-party network pairing high-potential female candidates with vetted, pro bono Technical Advisers. It closes the capacity gap that decides whether a campaign is competitive.
- 8
- Areas of expertise
- All
- Parties, selected on merit
- 2027
- Nigerian General Elections
Which path are you?
FOR CANDIDATES
I'm running for office
Get matched with a vetted Technical Adviser at no cost to your campaign, from policy research and fundraising support to media and visibility strategy.
See what's availableFOR PROFESSIONALS
I want to advise
Put your expertise to work supporting a high-potential female candidate through Nigeria's 2027 election cycle, remotely and pro bono.
See how it worksFOR SUPPORTERS
I know a candidate
Point us to a woman worth backing in 2027. Recommendations take two minutes and go straight to our team.
Recommend herTHE EIGHT DOMAINS
One bench of expertise. Two ways in.
Candidates request support in these areas. Advisers offer it in these areas. The match is made across the same eight domains.
Policy Research & Drafting
Research and drafting behind campaign initiatives and manifestos.
Communications & Media Strategy
Press engagement, media training, and narrative strategy.
Social Media & Digital Content
Content strategy, posting calendars, and digital engagement that grows reach.
Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation
Fundraising planning, donor engagement, and resource structures.
Campaign Finance & Budgeting
Budgeting discipline and financial tracking for a well-managed campaign.
Data & Analytics
Constituency data interpretation and evidence-based decisions.
Legal & Compliance Support
Guidance on INEC nomination requirements and electoral law.
Digital Safety & Security
Account security and response to online harassment and gendered attacks.
DID WE MISS ONE?
Tell us what a campaign still needs.
Eight domains is where we start, not where we stop. If you have run a campaign, advised one, or watched one struggle for want of a specific skill, name it. We use these suggestions to shape the next round of adviser recruitment.
Email us at dtrbraintrust@elect-her.org.
FOR CANDIDATES
Support, matched to you.
Running for office is demanding, and few candidates have every kind of expertise on hand. DTR Brain Trust connects you with vetted, pro bono Technical Advisers, so you can add real capacity where you need it most, at no cost to your campaign.
How it works
Apply
Submit a short application confirming your candidacy and support needs.
Reviewed
Assessed against our eligibility and readiness criteria.
Get Matched
Paired with a Technical Adviser suited to your needs.
Engage Remotely
Work with your Adviser at a pace that fits your schedule.
Campaign Stronger
Benefit from structured, expert support tailored to your candidacy.
What you gain
- Vetted, credentialed pro bono expertise across eight technical domains
- A Technical Adviser matched to your specific capacity needs
- Onboarding that adapts to your stage, whether first-time or defending a seat
- A place within ElectHER's flagship, cross-party candidate support infrastructure
Who can apply
- Formally declared or nominated by your party for the 2027 General Elections
- Actively campaigning to contest and win, not a nominal or proxy candidacy
- Demonstrated grassroots base or civic engagement
- Any political party. Selection is based on merit, not affiliation
Our approach to selection
DTR Brain Trust is a competitive, merit-based programme. We will support as many high-potential candidates as we can, but Adviser capacity is limited and ElectHER cannot extend support to every declared candidate. Being a woman candidate is the basis for eligibility, not the basis for selection.
Too busy? Delegate it.
We know campaign fever is kicking in and your diary is already gone. Do not pass on this. The form takes a few minutes, and anyone on your team can fill it in for you. Hand it to your campaign manager, aide, or a trusted volunteer, and get your name in.
Ready to get matched?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 30 September 2026. Apply early.
FOR PROFESSIONALS
Put your expertise on the ballot.
Nigeria's electoral process keeps skilled citizens at a distance from the campaigns that need them. DTR Brain Trust closes that gap and gives professionals a structured, meaningful way into public governance.
How it works
Apply
Submit a short application in your area of expertise.
Get Matched
Paired with a candidate based on need and fit.
Engage Remotely
Support your candidate through the campaign period, wherever you are.
Make Impact
Help build a more competitive, credible campaign.
What you gain
- A credentialed role in Nigeria's first technical advisory network for women candidates
- ElectHER Certificate of Service on completion
- A flexible way to contribute to governance outside of elected office
- Connection to a community of like-minded technical professionals
Who should apply
- Demonstrable expertise in one or more of the eight domains
- Able to commit time consistently through the campaign period
- Willing to engage remotely and follow through on agreed deliverables
- Nigerians and members of the diaspora both welcome
Ready to advise?
Application window: 10 August to 21 August 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis.
RECOMMEND A CANDIDATE
Know a woman worth backing?
Some of the strongest candidates never put themselves forward. If you know a woman contesting in 2027 who would go further with technical support behind her, tell us about her. We follow up directly.
Recommendations are cross-party and confidential. We contact the candidate before any assessment begins.
Application pack
Candidate Brief
What support is available, eligibility, and how selection works for declared female candidates.
Download PDFAdviser Prospectus
Role categories, how matching works, and what Technical Advisers gain from the programme.
Download PDFCode of Conduct Preview
The standards every Adviser is expected to uphold, shared in full before you apply.
Download PDFDTR Brain Trust supports high-potential female candidates across all political parties on merit. Technical Advisers support candidates in a personal, pro bono capacity, not as ElectHER staff or institutional representatives. ElectHER remains strictly non-partisan.