Program Senior Operations Associate, West Africa

Acumen is seeking a Program Operations Senior Associate with 5 years of experience to support team operations, executive coordination, communications, and event management for Green RISE (Resilient Impact through Sustainable Entrepreneurship) Africa - a major five-year, multi-country, donor-funded programme focused on catalyzing dignified green work opportunities for young women and youth across Africa. Based in West Africa, this role will report to the Program Lead, Green RISE Africa. 

About Acumen
Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders, and ideas. We invest patient capital in businesses whose products and services help people living in poverty to transform their lives. To date, Acumen has positively impacted over 500 million lives by investing $154M in 167 innovative, early-stage companies in Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and the United States. But investment isn’t just about capital, we’ve been investing in relationships for years, connecting with emerging leaders in their own countries and engaging them in extended collective dialogue, moral inquiry, and skill building. To learn more visit acumen.org.  

About the Role
The Program Operations Senior Associate will support the effective functioning of the Green RISE Africa team and provide executive support to the Programme Lead. The role will anchor team coordination, strengthen operational discipline, and support programme visibility through communications and event coordination. This position plays a key enabling role in ensuring leadership effectiveness and smooth programme execution. 

The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter who anticipates needs, exercises strong judgment, and operates with a high degree of ownership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Support to the Programme Lead

• Manage and prioritize the Programme Lead’s calendar in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings across multiple time zones.
• Prepare briefing notes and consolidate materials ahead of key engagements.
• Draft internal coordination emails and decision summaries.
• Track follow-ups arising from leadership and donor meetings.
• Anticipate needs and provide proactive support to enhance leadership effectiveness.
• Uphold strict confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive information, correspondence, and stakeholder engagements, ensuring privacy standards are maintained at all times.

2.  Team & Programme Operations Support

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the Green RISE Africa programme office to ensure smooth team functioning.
• Support on-the-ground implementation and adherence to internal procurement, travel and documentation policies.
• Track procurement requests and approvals in coordination with the finance & operations team
• Maintain organized and accessible documentation systems for programme files and approvals.
• Coordinate recurring team meetings and ensure materials are prepared and shared in advance.
• Maintain a structured action tracker and follow up on agreed next steps across various  workstreams.
• Proactively identify operational gaps and recommend improvements.

3. Travel & Event Coordination

• Support planning and logistics for Green RISE Africa related events, stakeholder convenings, and team gatherings.
• Coordinate travel logistics for programme-related engagements, including itineraries and travel briefs for members of the team
• Liaise with vendors, venues, and service providers as required.
• Ensure presentations and materials are prepared in advance of key events.

4. Communications & Programme Visibility
In collaboration with the Communications Manager and Grants Manager

• Draft and refine media content for the Program Lead highlighting Green RISE Africa milestones and activities.
• Support preparation of talking points for speaking engagements, panels, and convenings.
• Coordinate collection of stories, photos, and updates from the program team.
• Support development of briefs, one-pagers, and light programme materials.
• Track key programme moments for external amplification.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in executive support, operations coordination, or senior administrative roles.
• Experience supporting senior leadership in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to effectively manage stakeholder relationships in complex environments with competing priorities and sensitivities. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools.
• Experience in social impact, nonprofit, or multi-country environments is an advantage.
• Experience supporting events and travel coordination is preferred.
• Authorization to live and work in Lagos, Nigeria is required 

Core Competencies

• Highly organized and structured
• Proactive and dependable
• Strong follow-through
• Clear and concise communicator
• High integrity and discretion
• Comfortable working across multiple stakeholders
• Calm under pressure

Deadline
The deadline to apply for this position is Monday, 9 March but candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Location
Lagos, Nigeria

#LI-ACU1