Acumen

Fellows Manager, West Africa Fellows Program

Lagos, NigeriaFull-TimeManagerOther

Skills

Documentation Ownership

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Acumen Academy West Africa is seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly organized program manager with a minimum of 7 years of experience to lead the delivery of the Climate-Focused Fellowship in West Africa. The Fellowship sits within the BUILD pillar of Green RISE (Resilient Impact through Sustainable Entrepreneurship) Africa - a multi-year program designed to accelerate inclusive green enterprises and create dignified green jobs for young women and youth across the continent.

This role will be accountable for end-to-end management, delivery and oversight of the Fellowship lifecycle - from outreach and recruitment to program delivery, facilitation, graduation, and alumni transition into the Foundry (Alumni Community). The Fellows Manager will be responsible for ensuring high-quality learning experiences through delivery & operational excellence. The Fellowship Manager reports to the Acumen Academy Lead.

About the RoleAcumen is hiring a Fellowship Manager to lead the delivery of the Climate-Focused Fellowship in West Africa under Green RISE Africa.

This is a program leadership role that blends strategy, facilitation, operations, community building, and ecosystem engagement. The Fellowship Manager will ensure a high-quality, transformational Fellow experience while strengthening systems, partnerships, and cross-pillar alignment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive leader, strong executor, skilled facilitator, and thoughtful relationship-builder who thrives in fast-paced environments and is deeply motivated by leadership development and climate-driven impact.

1. Fellowship Strategy, Delivery & Facilitation

Lead end-to-end delivery of the Climate-Focused Fellowship in West Africa
Develop annual Fellowship workplans aligned with Green RISE Africa objectives
Co-design and co-facilitate immersive seminars and virtual learning labs
Ensure curriculum adaptation reflects regional climate realities and youth-in-work pathways
Serve as primary point of contact and trusted advisor to Fellows throughout the program year
Maintain high standards of learning experience, and community cohesion
Support Fellows’ transition into the Foundry community post-graduation
Lead recruitment strategy across priority West African countries in collaboration with Marketing & Communication team
Build and nurture strong pipelines through ecosystem actors, alumni, partners, and climate networks
Represent Acumen Academy at ecosystem events and partner engagements
Own the end-to-end selection process, ensuring rigor, transparency, diversity, and alignment with program objectives and targets

3. Foundry Coordination & Community Engagement

Support coordination and oversight of Foundry community engagement activities in West Africa
Work with the Foundry Lead to ensure Fellows transition smoothly into alumni engagement pathways
Contribute to planning of regional gatherings, peer learning sessions, and ecosystem convenings
Strengthen community cohesion across cohorts and pillars
Own Fellowship planning, timelines, budgets, logistics, communications, and documentation
Coordinate closely with cross-functional teams (Impact & Insights, Content & Curriculum, Marketing & Communications etc.)
Improve operational systems and tools for efficient program delivery
Contribute to overall coordination and execution within the West Africa Academy team
Maintain accurate program data and ensure timely reporting against Green RISE Africa targets
Track Fellow engagement, learning outcomes, and youth-in-work contribution pathways
Lead preparation of impact summaries, donor reporting inputs, and learning documentation
Surface insights and recommendations to strengthen future Fellowship cycles
Contribute to refining the Fellowship’s role within the broader capital continuum
Build relationships with ecosystem partners, ESOs, funders, and advisory organizations
Support partnership conversations aligned with Fellowship growth and Green RISE Africa objectives
Identify collaboration opportunities that strengthen pathways for Fellows post-program
Minimum of 7 years of experience in program leadership and management, preferably in leadership development, climate, entrepreneurship, or social impact
Demonstrated experience owning complex, multi-phase programs end-to-end
Strong facilitation skills
Familiarity with social entrepreneurs and the social impact ecosystem in West Africa
Strong stakeholder and partnership management skills
Excellent organizational and project management capabilities
Experience managing budgets and coordinating across teams
Strong data literacy and reporting skills
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities
Self-reflective and strongly aligned with Acumen’s values
Permanently authorized to work in Lagos, Nigeria