Senior Associate, East Africa Fellows Program

Acumen East Africa is seeking a skilled and highly organized program professional with 5 years of experience to support the design, delivery, and operations of Acumen’s Climate-Focused Fellowship Program in East Africa.This role will play a critical part in launching and delivering Acumen’s first Climate Themed Fellowship, a leadership development program supporting early-stage social enterprises in the African green economy that are creating dignified jobs for women and youth.

About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.

About Acumen Academy
Acumen Academy is the world’s school for social change. Our mission is to unleash a new generation of social innovators and leaders with the determination and grit to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world. Blending the best of online and offline learning, we offer anyone with access to the internet the tools, practices, resources, and supportive community they need to achieve positive social change. With more than 800 Fellows and 500,000 course takers in 192 countries, the Acumen Academy community represents a new generation of social innovators and leaders committed to doing what’s right in a world that loves easy.

The East Africa Fellows Program was launched in 2010 as an intensive, one-year leadership development program offered through Acumen Academy. Currently, the Fellowship Program is offered in 9 regions: Bangladesh, Colombia, West Africa, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and East Africa. Every year, each program selects 20 emerging leaders to participate in a blend of immersive seminars and online content that equips them with the knowledge, skills and community they need to be more effective agents of change. Once graduated, our fellows join a global community of remarkable individuals sharing their lifelong journey to master the principles and practices of moral leadership while putting those principles and practices into action.

About the Role

The Senior Associate will support program delivery, facilitation, outreach, recruitment, and operations for the Climate-Focused Fellowship Program in East Africa.This role will work closely with Fellows, Acumen Academy’s West Africa teams, and external partners to ensure high-quality program execution from recruitment through graduation. The position reports directly to the East Africa Program Lead.The ideal candidate is a self-starter, highly detail-oriented, and energized by working in a fast-paced environment while supporting meaningful learning experiences.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Program Delivery & Facilitatiom

• Support the training and facilitation of the Climate Fellowship Program
• Co-deliver fellowship seminars and learning experiences (online and in-person)
• Collaborate with Curriculum and Training teams to provide feedback and continuously improve the Fellowship experience

2. Outreach, Recruitment & Selection

• Lead and execute outreach and recruitment strategies for the Climate Fellowship
• Build and manage strong recruitment pipelines in collaboration with partners and ecosystem actors
• Coordinate the end-to-end Fellow selection process

3. Program Operations

• Manage fellowship logistics, timelines, communications, and documentation
• Coordinate all program activities from recruitment through to graduation
• Ensure efficient and high-quality program operations across all phases of delivery

4. Program Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data on fellowship activities, participation, and engagement
• Support the preparation of grant reports, impact reports, and other program documentation as needed
• Update and maintain program reporting tools

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in program delivery and management, preferably within leadership development or related fields
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs with strong attention to detail
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with multiple stakeholders
• Strong Excel and data management skills, including tracking and reporting on program data
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with internal teams and external partners
• Ability to prioritize effectively and manage competing deadlines
• Experience designing, executing, and facilitating online and in-person events
• Familiarity with social entrepreneurs and the social impact ecosystem in East Africa
• Self-reflective and strongly aligned with Acumen’s values
• Permanently authorized to work in Nairobi, Kenya 

Deadline
The deadline to apply for this position is Friday, 6 March but candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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