Senior Programme Officer-Nigeria

Background

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through a combination of grant making, fellowships, transformational research, technical assistance, coalition building and advocacy the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change, and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.

Purpose

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) has established a significant presence in Nigeria, supporting key partners in advancing the country’s energy transition and climate resilience strategies. As Nigeria navigates its development pathway towards a sustainable, low-carbon future, ACF’s work continues to expand across critical areas such as just energy transition, climate adaptation, sustainable land use, transport, and green industrialization. To support these efforts, ACF is recruiting a Senior Programme Officer to work closely with the Nigeria Country Manager and other programme teams in driving the strategic development and implementation of ACF’s Nigeria Programme.

Reporting to the Nigeria Country Manager, the Senior Programme Officer will play a key role in supporting various programme activities, including strategy development, managing grant portfolios, fostering strategic partnerships, supporting fundraising initiatives, and providing thought leadership to enhance the programme’s impact and effectiveness.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to the following:

Strategy development and implementation: 

• Under the guidance of the Nigeria Country Manager, support the revision and updating of ACF’s Nigeria Strategy and implementation plan.
• Identify and oversee sector-relevant research and analysis to inform programmatic work and ensure evidence-based decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with other ACF programme staff to ensure synergies, integration, and cross-programme learning.
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to ensure effective monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of programme delivery and outcomes.
• Manage and lead flagship projects or initiatives within the Nigeria Programme.

Partnerships: 

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships and networks with key stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, financial institutions, civil society organizations, think tanks, research institutions, and the philanthropic community.
• Act as a key point of contact and representative of the Nigeria Programme, strengthening stakeholder collaboration to enhance programme impact.

Grant-making: 

• Under the guidance of the Nigeria Country Manager, update, maintain and implement the programme’s grant-making portfolio.
• Collaborate with ACF’s grant-making team to manage the grant cycle, including soliciting, reviewing, and recommending grants to the ACF Grants Committee and Board, and supporting grant contracting and monitoring.
• Monitor grantee progress, ensuring timely delivery against grant agreements and providing technical and management support where needed.
• Under the guidance of the Nigeria Country Manager, work closely with the MEL Manager to ensure grants are being monitored, information captured, and learnings are being used to inform programming.

Fund-raising and reporting: 

• Support the Nigeria Country Manager, the Head of Strategic Partnerships, and the Head of Programmes in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to address programme funding gaps.
• Support in the preparation of funding proposals and donor engagements.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting on programme progress to donors, the ACF Board, and other key stakeholders.

Thought leadership: 

• Stay informed of emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges related to sustainable development and climate action in Nigeria.
• Contribute to ACF’s research outputs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and online content, ensuring high visibility of the Nigeria Programme.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team and Nigeria Country Manager to organize events, such as convenings, webinars, and workshops.
• Provide technical guidance and insights to the Senior Management Team, Board, and other internal and external stakeholders on strategic programme developments.

Requirements include but not limited to:  

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, environmental sciences, development studies, public policy, or a related field.
• 6-8 years of progressive experience in programme design, management, or related roles, with a focus on climate action, sustainable development, or similar fields.
• Experience working with or supporting government institutions, donors, and financial entities on large-scale projects or policy initiatives.
• Strong experience in managing grants.
• Familiarity with policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement within the Nigerian context.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design and implement complex programmes.
• Sophisticated writing, reporting, and communication skills, with an ability to present technical information clearly.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail

Start date: Based on the successful applicants’ availability.

Location: Remote. Candidate to be based in Nigeria.

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement).

Closing date: 19 March 2025.

Should you not hear back from us by 30 April 2025, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.

The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa.

In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.