Funding to Build Manager, Africa Acumen Academy

Acumen Academy is hiring a Funding to Build Manager to lead the strategy, execution, and evolution of this grants program. Funding to Build provides catalytic grant capital (up to $50,000 per enterprise) to early-stage, climate-focused social enterprises at critical moments of growth. The grants are designed to help enterprises validate, and strengthen their models and pathways to creating dignified green work opportunities for young women and youth.

This role will have end-to-end responsibility for the design, delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of the Funding to Build program. It will oversee the full funding lifecycle - from strategy and outreach to selection, due diligence, contracting, disbursement, and post-grant performance tracking - ensuring that grants are awarded through a rigorous and transparent process. The role will also ensure funded enterprises are effectively supported, monitored, and held accountable for results, while driving high-quality program delivery, strong governance and auditability, and continuous learning across funding cycles.

The role directly reports to the BUILD Pillar Lead and will work closely with teams across Acumen (including Impact, Acumen Academy, Finance etc.)

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker, strong people manager, and confident decision-maker who thrives in complexity and is deeply motivated by supporting climate entrepreneurs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy & Design

• Refine and Define Funding to Build strategic priorities in alignment with Green RISE Africa and Acumen Academy Objectives, with a clear focus on green job creation for young women and youth.

• Design the overall program structure, annual calendar, and end-to-end process for each cycle.

• Develop and oversee pipeline-building, outreach, and communications strategies for the full program timeline.

• Lead the design and iteration of the Funding to Build application form.

2. Application, Selection & Grant Execution

• Lead the end-to-end application and selection process, ensuring a clear, equitable, and well-managed applicant experience.

• Design and oversee information sessions, evaluation frameworks, and selection panels, including the appointment and management of panelists.

• Synthesize assessments and support panels with decision-ready recommendations on final awardees.

• Lead due diligence for selected entrepreneurs, coordinating legal, financial, and compliance reviews.

• Oversee grant agreement execution and readiness for disbursement in line with internal controls and governance standards.

3. Post-Disbursement & Impact Management

• Lead structured onboarding for funded entrepreneurs.

• Track financial, operational, and impact KPIs across the portfolio.

• Monitor reporting compliance at key milestones.

• Produce consolidated impact and learning reports.

• Generate insights and recommendations to strengthen future funding cycles.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in program and/or grants management, impact investing, enterprise support, venture building or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end funding or selection processes.

• Strong understanding of early-stage entrepreneurship, ideally within climate or sustainability sectors.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with experience translating data into insights.

• Proven people management experience.

• High attention to detail, integrity, and comfort operating within governance frameworks.

• Permanently authorized to work in Nairobi, Kenya or Lagos, Nigeria.