General Information

Job Title: Programs & Operations Associate (Nigeria-based)

Location: Remote with strong preference for a candidate in Lagos or Abuja, Nigeria

Hiring Organization: Graft Africa

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

Start Date: 2026 (Rolling start, subject to availability)

Work Schedule: 40 hours/week (Tuesday to Saturday); Flexible working hours, but 4 hours of EST/EDT overlap on Saturdays

Compensation and Benefits:

  • ₦350,000 per month
  • Employer-sponsored health insurance
  • 12 days of sick leave
  • 15 days of vacation days
  • 7 public holidays
  • End-of-year break (last two weeks of December)
  • Professional development opportunity
  • Reimbursement for work-related travel
  • Performance-based role expansion as the organization scales

Graft Africa Overview

Graft Africa is an impact-first organization that brings together farmers, youth, innovators, and decision-makers to turn today’s agricultural and food challenges into tomorrow’s thriving food systems. We exist to reimagine and rebuild West Africa’s agri-food systems, making them equitable, resilient, and led by the people they serve. Guided by the spirit of Ubuntu – “I am because we are” – our work is rooted in collaboration, open knowledge sharing, and a deep commitment to African futures in which food systems are climate-smart, inclusive, and thriving.

Our work spans:

  • Agri-food systems research and analysis
  • Program and project design for value-chain expansion, data aggregation and dissemination, and resilience-building interventions
  • Stakeholder engagement across farmers, cooperatives, private sector actors, donors, and policymakers
  • Advisory services that translate data, evidence, and lived realities into actionable strategies

Role Overview

Graft Africa seeks a Programs & Operations Associate to support the organization’s growing portfolio of programs, advisory work, and partnerships. This fully remote role is ideal for an early-career professional who is analytically strong, operationally reliable, and intellectually curious about agri-food systems and development challenges in West Africa.

The Associate will work closely with Graft Africa’s leadership to support:

  • Program and project design
  • Day-to-day operations
  • Research and analysis
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Grant and proposal development

This is a fully remote, hands-on, learning-intensive role with exposure to real-world program design, donor-facing work, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Occasional travel for in-person engagements is expected. Given the West African scope of Graft Africa’s work, candidates with business-level proficiency in both English and French will be given stronger consideration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program & Project Support (40%)

  • Support the design, planning, and implementation of agri-food, climate resilience, and livelihoods-focused projects
  • Assist with the development of concept notes, logframes, workplans, budgets, and implementation timelines
  • Track project activities, milestones, and deliverables
  • Support monitoring, learning, and documentation of program activities

2. Research & Analysis (20%)

  • Conduct background research, data collection, and synthesis on topics such as agriculture, food systems, climate adaptation, youth livelihoods, and value chains
  • Support development of briefs, memos, presentations, and internal strategy documents
  • Assist with landscape analyses, stakeholder mapping, and evidence reviews
  • Translate complex information into clear, usable insights for program and advisory work

3. Grant & Proposal Development (20%)

  • Support grant research, including identification of relevant funding opportunities
  • Assist with drafting sections of proposals, concept notes, and donor reports
  • Help compile supporting documents, budgets, and annexes
  • Track proposal timelines and submission requirements

4. Operations & Organizational Support (10%)

  • Support internal operations, coordination, and documentation across projects
  • Maintain organized records for proposals, contracts, reports, and partner communications
  • Assist with basic financial and administrative tracking related to projects
  • Support planning and coordination of meetings, workshops, and convenings

5. Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

  • Support engagement with farmers, cooperatives, partners, consultants, donors, and ecosystem actors
  • Assist in preparing briefing materials and follow-ups for external meetings
  • Support coordination of interviews, workshops, and consultations
  • Maintain professionalism and clarity in written and verbal communications

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Economics, Food Systems, International Development, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field
  • 1–3 years of relevant experience (including internships, research assistantships, or project roles)
  • Strong research, analytical, and writing skills
  • Clear interest in agri-food systems, development, and systems-level problem-solving
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
  • Access to a strong, consistent internet connection

Preferred Skills & Attributes

  • Familiarity with West African agricultural and food systems, especially the contexts of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire
  • GIS Experience
  • Experience supporting development programs, research projects, or NGOs
  • Comfort working with documents such as proposals, reports, or policy briefs
  • Ability to synthesize information across disciplines
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Intellectual curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn
  • Alignment with Graft Africa’s values of rigor, integrity, and long-term impact

What This Role Is (and Is Not)

This role is:

  • Analytical, hands-on, and intellectually demanding
  • A strong learning platform for systems-oriented development work
  • Closely connected to leadership and real decision-making

This role is not:

  • A purely administrative position
  • A field-only extension role
  • A senior management position (although growth opportunities exist over time)

Growth & Learning Opportunities

  • Exposure to program design, donor engagement, and systems advisory work
  • Opportunities to take on increasing responsibility as Graft Africa scales
  • Mentorship and close collaboration with experienced practitioners
  • Pathways to specialization (research, programs, partnerships, or advisory work)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through THIS application form. Applications submitted via email or any other channel will be automatically disqualified.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026 | 11:59 PM EDT