Acceleration Program Officer

About I&P

I&P is an impact investor exclusively dedicated to African start-ups and SMEs. Since 2002, I&P has financed and supported more than 300 entrepreneurs across 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to foster the emergence of responsible entrepreneurs and businesses that are at the heart of Africa’s growth and development.

To achieve this mission, I&P manages several acceleration programs and investment funds backed by public, private and individual investors.

I&P frequently encounters companies that are not sufficiently prepared to receive investment from a new shareholder. I&P has therefore identified a strong need to strengthen the maturity and investment readiness of younger and less-prepared start-ups and SMEs through acceleration programs.

To address this need, I&P launched the I&P Acceleration range of programs, which aims to support entrepreneurs and businesses as they prepare for investment.

Seven programs have been launched over the past five years: I&P Acceleration in the Sahel - funded by the European Union (EU), I&P Acceleration Technologies - funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), I&P Education and Employment - funded by the Mastercard Foundation, I&P Digital Energy - funded by the European Union (EU), CATAL1.5°T - funded by the Green Climate Fund and BMZ, I&P Acceleration FARM - funded by Proparco, I&P Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (I&P WE4A) - funded by the European Union (EU)

Position and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Acceleration Programs, the Acceleration Program Officer will support the Head of Acceleration Programs in managing several existing and new acceleration programs. The Program Officer may also contribute to the development of new acceleration programs.

The position includes the following responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Monitor progress toward program objectives, particularly impact-related targets.
• For each company, monitor the disbursement of seed funding and, where applicable, other financing components, in close coordination with I&P’s Finance Department and the investment team or seed funding manager responsible for conducting due diligence.
• Monitor technical assistance assignments.
• Monitor program budgets.

Donor Relations — in English and French

• Maintain regular communication with representatives of the programs’ funding partners.
• Organize communication initiatives in collaboration with I&P’s Communications Department, including events, publications, media campaigns and communication activities.
• Represent and communicate about the program at relevant industry events.
• Prepare and facilitate project steering committee meetings.
• Monitor compliance with grant agreements.

Internal and External Reporting — in English and French

• Analyze the performance and impact of all portfolio companies and present findings to I&P’s Acceleration Steering Committee.
• Organize and coordinate the donor reporting process.
• Review, validate and consolidate activity and financial reports prepared by the various teams.
• Prepare the projected budget for the year following the reporting period, with support from the relevant teams.

Knowledge Management and Sector Expertise

• Capture, consolidate and share with I&P teams the knowledge acquired on the sectors and verticals covered by the acceleration programs.
• Contribute to the development of new acceleration programs.

Candidate Profile & Required Skills

• Graduate of a business or engineering school, with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Bac+4/5 equivalent), preferably with a specialization in entrepreneurship, finance, management or business strategy.
• At least five years of professional experience in one or more of the following relevant areas:
  • Supporting micro-enterprises, SMEs or entrepreneurs through incubation, acceleration, consulting, coaching or audit;
  • Financing micro-enterprises and SMEs through investment funds, banks or other financial institutions;
  • Managing development assistance programs funded through grants from international donors.
• Several years of professional and/or personal experience in Africa.

Technical and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong analytical, synthesis and writing skills.
• Fluent French and excellent command of professional English, both written and spoken.
• Strong interest in, and preferably good knowledge of, the climate and green sectors.
• Skills in financial analysis, business strategy, management and organizational development.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and commitment to achieving established objectives.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work in a “start-up” environment with a high degree of proactivity.
• Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to take initiative.
• Ability and motivation to provide hands-on support to micro-enterprises and SMEs facing practical, on-the-ground challenges.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Open-mindedness, adaptability and ability to learn quickly.
• Transparency, integrity and a strong sense of confidentiality.

Terms and Conditions

• Position based at I&P’s Abidjan office.
• Travel: 4 to 6 international trips per year outside the country of employment.
• Starting date: From November 2026.
• Contract type: Permanent, full-time employment contract.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter by November 30, 2026 to: recrutement@ietp.com, Barbara Adolehoume: b.adolehoume@ietp.com and Raphaël Dumont: r.dumont@ietp.com. Please use the following subject line: “Acceleration Program Officer”