Community Officer – Full time

About ESPartners 

Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners) is a company which aims at enabling innovative,  scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Created in 2010 in Washington DC, ESPartners’  mission is to “Provide entrepreneurs in Africa with the keys to sustainable success.” 

ESPartners supports people, companies, institutions, and nations in articulating, implementing and  disseminating solutions to their economic challenges, and in facilitating private sector development and  supporting MSMEs across Africa. ESPartners has worked with multiple clients: entrepreneurs, MSMEs,  governments, and development partners, including the World Bank Group / IFC, Mastercard  Foundation, the African Development Bank. 

Our firm operates across the African continent through two regional offices: in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,  covering West and Central Africa, and in Kigali, Rwanda, for East and Southern Africa operations. 

At ESPartners, we believe in people. We live by the idea of constantly delivering services at the cutting  edge of business practices, but also, of bringing into our team, the most talented, adaptable, qualified,  driven and diverse people available. 

ESPartners’ approach is to provide « Intelligent CapitalTM », meaning the right combination of insights  and capital, to address critical societal issues, by providing advisory services and solutions to diverse  clients, via two practice areas, and to deliver on varied aspects of our mission: 

• SCALE – It facilitates the passage of entrepreneurs to scale throughout structured processes, combining support at any stage of maturity (ideation, incubation and acceleration), and access to financing solutions (debts, grants and equity). 
• INSIGHTS – Consulting services aimed at creating and implementing innovative solutions for sustainable development through the competitiveness of value chains, business strategies, leadership and change mentality. 

ESPartners has four core values expressed via P.A.C.E.: Passion, Agility, Collaboration and Equity.

About ESPartners’ Growth and Partnerships team 

Our Growth and Partnerships (G&P) team is responsible for driving the firm’s growth, leading on  opportunities identification and proposals preparation drawing on inputs from our senior leadership and  practice leads teams, as well as ESPartners’ proprietary methodologies. The team is responsible for  developing clients and partners’ relations. We also work closely with network partners – seasoned  experts in creative and cultural industries, regenerative and circular economies, carbon trading or green  investment vehicles, etc.

In line with its targets, the G&P team aims to secure programs (multi-year, multi-million and recurring  initiatives) and projects (smaller, shorter engagements), mainly across West, East and Central Africa.  ESPartners’ G&P team is also in charge of the firm’s corporate communication, both internal and  external, and of the communication about the programs and projects. 

We are excited to put together the G&P team by bringing together talents from around the world,  animated by the vision of “A prosperous Africa for all, thanks to its entrepreneurs”, and embodying our  values with our clients, partners, consultants, entrepreneurs and colleagues. 

Position overview 

We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Community Officer to join our G&P team in Abidjan. This  role is central to building, nurturing, and maintaining strong relationships within ESPartners’ growing  community of program participants, alumni, partners, and stakeholders. The Community Officer will  serve as the bridge between ESPartners and its diverse community, fostering connections, facilitating  opportunities, and ensuring sustained engagement across our entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Keys roles & responsibilities 

Community Engagement and Alumni Relations 

• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with program participants and alumni across all ESPartners initiatives
• Conduct regular needs assessments and satisfaction surveys within the community
• Create and implement engagement strategies to keep alumni active and connected
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and mentorship opportunities among community members
• Promote networking and collaboration opportunities among entrepreneurs, alumni, and stakeholders
• Identify and showcase success stories and impact narratives from the community

Market Opportunities and Business Facilitation

• Identify and promote market opportunities, business partnerships, and collaboration prospects within the community
• Connect entrepreneurs with potential investors, customers, and strategic partners
• Facilitate business-to-business connections and joint venture opportunities
• Support alumni in accessing funding opportunities, grants, and investment platforms
• Organize marketplace events and business matching sessions
• Maintain a database of community business interests and opportunities

Outreach and Event Management 

• Plan, organize, and execute community events including networking sessions, workshops, and conferences
• Coordinate alumni gatherings, reunion events, and celebration ceremonies
• Manage outreach campaigns to expand community participation and engagement
• Serve as primary liaison for community issues, concerns, and resource needs
• In collaboration with the Communication and brand manager, develop and implement communication strategies across multiple channels (digital, print, events)
• Create and manage community newsletters, social media content, and communication materials
• Manage events budget

Program Development Support 

• Provide input and feedback for program design based on community needs and market insights
• Support curriculum development with real-world examples and case studies from the community
• Assist in program evaluation and impact assessment activities
• Contribute to program improvement initiatives based on participant feedback
• Support program delivery through community mobilization and participant recruitment
• Facilitate community involvement in program activities and mentorship opportunities

Partners Engagement and Liaison 

• Maintain relationships with program partners including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector organizations
• Coordinate partners engagement activities and collaborative initiatives
• Facilitate communication between community members and institutional partners
• Support partnership development through community insights and connections
• Organize partners appreciation events and stakeholder meetings
• Serve as ESP / community representative in partners meetings and collaborative forums

Key Performance Indicators

• Community engagement levels and participation rates in events and activities
• Alumni satisfaction scores and feedback ratings
• Number of business connections and partnerships facilitated
• Event attendance and success metrics
• Partners satisfaction and collaboration effectiveness
• Community growth and retention rates

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Community Development, Business Administration, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in community management, stakeholder engagement, or relationship management
• Experience in event planning and community outreach activities
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship ecosystem and MSME development preferred

Technical and Professional Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in French and English
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities
• Proficiency in social media platforms and digital communication tools
• Event planning and logistics coordination experience
• Database management and CRM system proficiency
• Basic understanding of marketing and outreach strategies

Community and Relationship Management 

• Proven ability to build and maintain diverse professional relationships
• Experience in facilitating group dynamics and community building
• Understanding of cultural nuances and cross-cultural communication
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills
• Networking and relationship development expertise
• Customer service and stakeholder management experience

Personal Attributes 

• Passionate about entrepreneurship and community development
• High emotional intelligence and empathy
• Proactive and self-motivated approach
• Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic environments
• Strong problem-solving and creative thinking abilities
• Commitment to ESPartners’ mission and values

Additional Assets 

• Experience working with entrepreneur communities or startup ecosystems
• Knowledge of funding landscape and investment opportunities in Africa
• Background in program management or development work
• Understanding of impact measurement and community development indicators
• Multilingual capabilities (local languages advantageous)

We offer: 

Professional Impact and Growth 

• Central role in building Africa’s most dynamic entrepreneurial community
• Opportunity to directly impact hundreds of entrepreneurs and their businesses
• Platform to contribute to sustainable development and economic empowerment
• Access to extensive network of entrepreneurs, investors, and development practitioners

Compensation and Benefits 

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based incentives linked to community engagement metrics
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage
• Communication and travel allowances
• Professional development opportunities and training programs
• Annual leave days according to local legislation

Career Development 

• Growth opportunities within ESPartners’ expanding operations
• Exposure to international best practices in community development
• Access to training in entrepreneurship, community management, and stakeholder engagement
• Networking opportunities with global development and business communities

Mission Alignment 

• Direct contribution to building a prosperous Africa through entrepreneurship
• Opportunity to witness and facilitate real transformation in entrepreneurs’ lives
• Platform to create lasting impact on African business ecosystem

How to Apply 

Send your CV and cover letter to: careers@espartners.co 

Reference: Community Officer 

Required Documents: 

• Detailed CV highlighting community engagement and relationship management experience
• Cover letter demonstrating passion for entrepreneurship and community development
• Two professional references, preferably from community or stakeholder management roles
• Portfolio of community events or engagement initiatives (if available)

ESPartners is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We particularly  encourage applications from candidates with strong community ties and understanding of African  entrepreneurship ecosystems.