Senior Associate, Insights

Acumen was incorporated on April 1, 2001, with seed capital from the Rockefeller Foundation, Cisco Systems Foundation and three individual philanthropists. Our desire was to transform the world of philanthropy by looking at all human beings as members of a single, global community where everyone had the opportunity to build a life of dignity.

Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders, and ideas. We invest patient capital in businesses whose products and services help people living in poverty to transform their lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Associate, Insights

Location: Lagos

About the Role

• You will lead qualitative and mixed-methods data collection and analyze findings.
• As the Senior Associate, Insights, you will support the execution of the program’s learning agenda, working across program teams and partners to generate actional insights that inform program delivery and strategy.
• You will also synthesize findings into clear insights and contribute to learning outputs that shape adaptive management and thought leadership.
• This role sits within the Insights function, focusing on the ‘why’ and ‘so what’ behind program results.
• You will report to the Program Insights Lead and program teams across multiple workstreams. The role requires strong execution, structured thinking, and the ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights.

Accountabilities include
Execution of the Program Learning Agenda:

• Support the design and development of data collection tools (e.g. surveys, interview guides, tracking tools) aligned with learning questions
• Support the implementation of the Program’s multi-year learning agenda, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of learning activities
• Ensure data is collected, documents, and organized in a structured and usable way
• Coordinate and execute qualitative and mixed-methods data collection across Program pillars, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and feedback tools
• Manage data collection processes across multiple stakeholders, including program teams, partners, and enterprises

Insight Generation and Analysis:

• Identity emerging signals and insights to support adaptive learning and continuous program improvement
• Translate data into clear, concise, and actionable insights that inform program decision-making
• Conduct qualitative and mixed methods analysis to identify patterns, trends, and key insights across program data
• Synthesize findings across multiple data sources to answer core learning questions

Adaptive Learning and Program Support:

• Contribute to tracking learning questions and ensuring alignment between data collection and program priorities
• Support program teams in understanding and applying insights to improve program delivery
• Provide input into adaptive learning processes, including after-action reviews and periodic learning sessions
• Surface insights to support strategic reflection and decision-making

Knowledge Products and Thought Leadership:

• Contribute to drafting sections of program learning outputs, ensuring clarity, rigor, and strong narrative
• Help translate insights into compelling stories and evidence that contribute to broader conversations on green entrepreneurship, work quality, and women’s economic participation
• Ensure learning outputs are grounded in high-quality evidence and aligned with program priorities
• Support the development of internal and external learning deliverables, including reports, briefs, and blogs.

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams and functions
• Good presenter in public, strong voice in meetings
• Ability to work independently with guidance, while contributing to team thinking and problem solving
• Experience in qualitative or mixed-methods research, including designing tools and conducting interviews and surveys
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to contribute to reports and structured outputs with guidance
• Experience working on complex programs.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear insights and recommendations
• 5 – 8 years of relevant experience in consulting, development, research, or a related field

Desirable:

• Exposure to large, donor-funded, or multi-stakeholder programs
• Experience in entrepreneurship, MSMEs, or private sector development programs
• Experience supporting the development of knowledge products or thought leadership outputs.
• Familiarity with climate, green economy, or sustainability-related sectors