Recruitment at Tony Elumelu Foundation

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), established in 2010, is an African private-sector-led philanthropy in Africa championing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs across the continent. The Foundation’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Tony Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector, and most importantly, entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Manager

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description

• The Research Manager will spearhead the resurgence and repositioning of the Africapitalism Institute as a leading pan-African thought leadership and research platform.
• The role will drive rigorous, independent, and policy-relevant research that advances Africapitalism as a development philosophy and informs entrepreneurship, private-sector-led growth, and inclusive economic transformation across Africa.

Key Responsibilities 
Africapitalism Institute Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead the revival, strategic direction, and operationalization of the Africapitalism Institute.
• Lead the design and development of Africapitalism-focused curricula, teaching materials, and learning frameworks for use across universities, executive education platforms, and policy institutions.

Research Design:

• Conceptualize and lead high-quality research studies on Africapitalism, entrepreneurship, SMEs, job creation, and inclusive growth.
• Design quantitative and qualitative research methodologies consistent with academic and ethical standards.

Data Analysis & Evidence Generation:

• Lead advanced data analysis both of the Foundation’s data and external data to generate insights on enterprise development and economic impact for the Foundation and for thought leadership.
• Apply econometric, statistical, and mixed-method approaches to analyze large and complex datasets.
• Translate data-driven findings into practical insights for the Foundation, policymakers, investors, and development stakeholders.

Knowledge Production & Thought Leadership:

• Produce flagship publications including research papers, policy briefs, white papers, and annual Africapitalism reports.

Policy & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage policymakers, academics, think tanks, multilateral institutions, and development partners to advance Africapitalism discourse.

Capacity Building & Institute Sustainability:

• Contribute to resource mobilization through grants, commissioned research, and partnerships.

Job Requirements

• Master’s Degree with a strong academic research record, PhD is an added advantage
• Bachelors’degree in Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, Business, Statistics, or related fields.
• Current or recent academic appointment at a university or research institution is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in academic, policy, or applied research.
• Experience designing surveys, managing large datasets, and conducting econometric analysisAbility to integrate qualitative research with quantitative findings.
• Proficiency in tools such as Stata, SPSS, or equivalent.
• Exceptional research writing and presentation skills.

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Entrepreneurship Programme Officer

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Key Responsibilities
Off-cycle Programme Management & Execution:

• Coordinate all off-cycle entrepreneurship programme activities which includes: Application, Training, Mentoring, Pitching, Seed Capital Disbursement
• Curate training question pool and training curriculum for off-cycle programmes
• Develop guides and communication scripts to promote programme clarity and provide regular programme update to entrepreneurs
• Ensure all program documents are translated into relevant languages.
• Create project management controls, systems for tracking and templates for reporting internally and externally on all programme related events.
• Conduct beta testing of new entrepreneurship programme initiatives with Alumni or volunteers on the programme in order to develop and refine schedules, curriculums, processes, and other best practices.
• Refine appropriate relationships, methods, and tools to engage with entrepreneurs, volunteers, and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurship programme space.
• Provide regular update report of programme activities to TEF Management and Partners.
• Oversee the work of volunteers/contract staff in implementing key aspects of the programme to a high standard and ensure programme KPIs are achieved.

Stakeholder Management:

• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Liaise with key stakeholders internally and externally on Entrepreneurship programme and provide timely reporting on all stages of the program.
• Ensure our mentors and alumni are engaged in mentoring and peer to peer coaching to ensure quality of graduates from the program.
• Work with Marketing and Communications team to drive awareness of the programme and achieve strategic goals for each phase from applications to graduation.
• Manage entrepreneur experience throughout the program and ensure timely response on issues.

Drive Program and process improvement:

• Work with Legal and Compliance teams to identify and mitigate programme risk factors at all stages.
• Constantly update Program terms and conditions, participation agreement, eligibility, and selection criteria as well as other program documents based on learning from each cycle with support of Manager and Legal team.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4-6 years’ experience in programme or project management, preferably within development, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, or non-profit organisations.
• Experience working on large-scale programmes or donor-funded initiatives is an advantage.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with programme management or CRM tools is an advantage

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Alumni & Mentorship Officer

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description

• The Alumni & Mentorship Officer will serve as the operational lead for alumni engagement and mentorship programmes at the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).
• This role ensures that TEF alumni are actively supported, connected, and guided as they build and scale their respective business post-funding as well as enhancing their growth, sustainability, and impact of their ventures across Africa. The Officer will also facilitate the smooth functioning of mentorship programmes, support mentor-mentee alignment, and ensure high-quality experiences and impact.

Key Responsibilities
Alumni Data Management & Impact Tracking:

• Maintain a dynamic, centralized alumni database capturing personal profiles, business metrics, and engagement history across all 54 African countries.
• Track key metrics such as revenue growth, job creation, social impact, and funding raised to assess alumni progress and readiness for investment and capacity-building opportunities.

Mentorship Programme Execution:

• Execute strategies to recruit high-quality mentors from across Africa and the globe (corporate professionals, successful entrepreneurs, and industry experts).
• Screen and vet mentor applications to ensure alignment with TEF’s values and standards.

Engagement & Recognition:

• Implement TEF’s Alumni Engagement Strategy to foster connectivity, pride, and active participation within the alumni network.
• Identify high-impact alumni for recognition through newsletters, brand campaigns, and storytelling initiatives.
• Coordinate alumni participation in TEF events, regional meetups, and country visits.

Programmes & Events:

• Plan, coordinate, and execute high-impact alumni and mentorship events (virtual and physical), including workshops, masterclasses, and regional meetups.
• Design and implement thematic initiatives addressing alumni business needs, such as growth-stage support, investor readiness, and market access.

Hub Leads & Network Integration:

• Engage regularly with Hub Leads across African countries and Nigerian states through virtual check-ins and strategic reviews.
• Support Hub Lead elections, performance monitoring, and local alumni engagement activities.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field; Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• 4–7 years’ experience in programme management, alumni relations, or mentorship coordination, ideally within entrepreneurship or development sectors.
• Strong understanding of African entrepreneurial ecosystems and SME development.
• Experience managing entrepreneurship and mentorship programmes or networks is a strong advantage.

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Internal Audit Officer

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description

• The Internal Audit Officer is responsible for executing, and reporting on financial, operational, and compliance audits within the Foundation.
• This role ensures the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance frameworks, supporting management with risk insights and recommendations for process improvements.

Key Responsibilities
Risk-Based Audit Planning & Execution:

• Develop and implement annual risk-based audit plans for TEF’s operations and projects.
• Support field audits on donor-funded projects to assess fund utilization and compliance.
• Identify control deficiencies and recommend corrective actions to enhance governance.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Assess compliance with Foundation policies, donor regulations, and local laws.
• Perform whistleblower and fraud investigations, documenting findings and risks.
• Evaluate enterprise risk management (ERM) processes and recommend enhancements.

Financial & Operational Audits:

• Perform audits of financial records, procurement processes, and grant disbursements.
• Analyze financial statements to detect misstatements, anomalies, and fraud risks.
• Review program effectiveness and operational efficiency of TEF projects.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Prepare audit reports with key observations, risks, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with program teams and external auditors on risk and compliance issues.

Continuous Improvement & Training:

• Train staff on internal controls, fraud risk management, and governance principles.
• Stay updated on emerging risks, audit methodologies, and technology trends.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or Risk Management.
• ACA/ACCA/CISA, or equivalent professional certification required and mandatory.
• Minimum of 4-7 years of experience in internal audit, financial control, and risk management.
• Experience in foundations, donor-funded NGOs, or international organizations is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of IIA audit standards, COSO framework, and data analytics in auditing.
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and develop practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Advanced proficiency in audit tools, Excel, and enterprise risk management systems.

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Partnerships Officer

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Key Responsibilities

• Handle relationships and contract negotiations.
• Draft proposals, concept notes, and reports.
• Perform quarterly donor mapping and send impact updates.
• Oversee donor accounts, timesheets, and reporting
• .Maintain and categorize the partnerships database.
• Ensure timely completion of partner deliverables.
• Organize quarterly policy and entrepreneurship roundtables.
• Drive campaigns to support entrepreneurship across designated regions.
• Implement strategies to influence policy changes that impact entrepreneurship support across designated regions.
• Form partnerships for research on entrepreneurship barriers and enablers.
• Create a framework for academic research on Africapitalism.
• Engage with various channels to build an Africapitalism network.

Job Requirements

• First Degree.
• Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• 4-7 years’ experience in similar roles across Technology and Innovation, corporate sector, experience in varied African markets, and NGOs.
• Demonstrated experience in initiating, securing, and managing partnerships with international organisations, with a proven track record of successful outcomes.

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Brand Officer

Location: Nigeria
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description

• The Brand Officer will support the development, execution, and stewardship of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s brand across all platforms.
• The role will help strengthen TEF’s identity as Africa’s leading philanthropy supporting entrepreneurship, ensuring consistent, compelling, and impact-driven brand representation aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities
Brand Management & Strategy:

• Support the execution of the Foundation’s brand strategy across all communication channels and programmes.
• Act as a day-to-day brand quality controller, reviewing materials for visual, tonal, and narrative alignment.

Marketing, Communications & Storytelling:

• Support the development of brand-led content and campaigns that showcase TEF’s programmes, entrepreneurs, partners, and impact stories.
• Contribute to storytelling initiatives that highlight the Foundation’s pan-African reach and outcomes.

Digital & Media Support:

• Monitor media coverage and social conversations relating to the Foundation and its programmes.
• Work with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure brand tone, visuals, and narratives are coherent and recognisable.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement:

• Liaise with internal teams, programme units, and external partners to ensure brand alignment.
• Coordinate with creative agencies, designers, and vendors to deliver high-quality brand materials.
• Support internal brand engagement initiatives to promote brand understanding and advocacy among staff.

Monitoring, Insights & Reporting:

• Track brand performance metrics and prepare regular reports on brand and communication activities.
• Monitor trends in philanthropay, entrepreneurship, and development communications to inform brand initiatives.
• Support research and insights that strengthen the Foundation’s brand relevance and visibility.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Branding, Mass Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in brand management, communications, or marketing, preferably within a foundation, NGO, development organization, or agency.
• Strong understanding of brand management and purpose-driven storytelling.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of digital and social media platforms.

Application Closing Date
16th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online