West Africa DirectorAcumen

About The Role

This role is based in Lagos and reports directly to the President of Acumen in New York City. This role will also collaborate with the East Africa Director. Success in the role depends upon it. This role will oversee our investment portfolio and the Associate Director of Portfolio and our Fellows Program. We do not see this role raising funds for investing as a priority over the next three years, even if future investments are made, but we do intend for this role to secure funding for our Fellows Program. We want to establish values-aligned partnerships and raise money to support this work. Specific accountabilities include:

Oversee Acumen’s Portfolio of Investments

• Define and execute the investment strategy for WA
• Oversee the effective implementation of Acumen’s global investment structures and processes, in collaboration with the Associate Director.
• Oversee WA Portfolio team’s regular investment reports and reviews, including quantitative and qualitative portfolio and social impact studies.
• Continually direct focus toward social returns, ethical, legal, and financial diligence.
  

Partnerships, fundraising, and delivery of the Fellows Program

• Developing partnerships, funding relationships, and closing funds to support our West African Fellows Program.
• Manage the team (2 people) that delivers the annual Fellows Program (~ 20 per cohort per year + community management of alumni)
• Partner with the global Fellows team to deliver regional accelerators
  

General Management

• Ensure audit-ready controls, processes, and documentation for all West Africa grant funding pools are in place, and team is aware and in compliance (Acumen has received different kinds of capital to fund different kinds of work. This role needs to make sure our team can track and deliver against our commitments and track and document our spend and pass high-scrutiny audits from global funders).
• Operational self reliance (e.g., an understanding of local payroll and benefits, even if through PEO; systems of compliance)
• Develop goals and budget YOY
• Develop the Acumen West Africa team
• Ensure compliance with Nigerian law and Acumen policy
  

Skills And Qualifications

• +15 years of experience in general management, investing for process oversight, such as financial services and or legal advisory related to investment transactions, any type of fund administration or investment administration. Graduate degree preferred.
• Experience developing, closing and maintaining funders and partnerships that deliver mutual value, including the capital, preferably for mission-driven organizations
• Mission-driven: interested in products, services, and education for people living below, at, or slightly above the poverty line.
• An ability to “take the lead”, rather than waiting to receive the lead, and still collaborate.
• Ability to collaborate with the President and the Country Leader in East Africa to clarify the direction of the work and teams.
• Ability to deliver on commitments and all they entail (results, their measurement, their reporting, and shifts in subsequent interventions based on learning)
• An understanding of the numbers and their implications (toplines, bottom lines, ratios, flows… and the implications).
• Enjoys managing teams toward a successful outcome
• Self-reflective, aligned with Acumen values, leads with values
• Permanently authorized to work in Nigeria
  

Deadline

Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

[1] Kawisafi and ARAF are backed by Acumen Capital Partners, a subsidiary of Acumen and manager of the funds