Francis Elikem Akondor
Tema
Summary
Results-driven professional with 6+ years of experience in marketing, recruitment, and strategic partnerships. Successfully driving tech ecosystem growth and youth empowerment across Africa. Highly skilled in project management and data analysis, consistently achieving exceptional outcomes. Proven record of training 1,000+ individuals, securing 750+ jobs, and accelerating the growth of 82 startups, resulting in a remarkable 92% revenue increase. Passionate about supporting ALX Africa's mission to upskill 2 million people by 2030.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Marketing and Recruitment Manager
MEST Africa
01.2025 - Current
- Provide strategic oversight and leadership for key programs including the EdTech Fellowship, EdTech Mondays, UNICEF Startup Lab, UNDP Young Africa Innovates (YAI), Ghana Remote and Online Work (GROW), and an AgTech Docuseries.
- Drive program success through effective marketing and recruitment strategies, enhancing visibility and engagement across multiple initiatives.
- Foster partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maximizing impact.
- Oversee the execution of integrated marketing campaigns, leveraging various channels to reach target audiences and achieve program objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate program performance, utilizing data-driven insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
Marketing and Recruitment Lead
MEST Africa
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Program Reach: Successfully marketed the Ghana Remote and Online Work (GROW), EdTech Fellowship, UNICEF Startup Lab, and UNDP Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programs, receiving over 500 applications for the UNICEF Startup Lab and training 142 youth across three cohorts in the GROW program.
- Skill Development: Trained 142 youth in web development and digital marketing through the GROW program, and supported 12 EdTech companies in the EdTech Fellowship, reaching 126,914 learners. Engaged over 75 innovators across Ghana through the YAI program.
- Employment Opportunities: Achieved a 69% placement rate for digital marketing learners within 90 days of graduation in the GROW program. Generated 99 new jobs through the EdTech Fellowship and created 47+ jobs within startups in the UNICEF Startup Lab.
- Startup Acceleration: Accelerated 12 EdTech companies through the EdTech Fellowship, leading to an average monthly revenue of GHS 15,000 for participating companies. Supported 25 startups in the UNICEF Startup Lab, raising GHS 2,882,376 (USD 178,364.85) in investment and grants. Facilitated the rapid validation, testing, and scaling of innovative solutions through the YAI program, with 20 Stage 1 innovators and 55 Stage 1 innovators trained in pilot and partner-led cohorts respectively.
- Job Creation: Facilitated the creation of over 280 jobs within startups and 500+ jobs as a byproduct of startup services through various programs.
- Funding and Investment: Helped startups in the UNICEF Startup Lab raise GHS 2,882,376 (USD 178,364.85) in investment and grants. Secured over $600,000 in grant funding for 22 startups.
- Program Satisfaction: Achieved high satisfaction rates, with 87% of PreMEST participants and 92% of MEST Express startups expressing satisfaction with the programs.
- Awareness and Engagement: Conducted EdTech Mondays, achieving over 14,000 views, 136 reactions, 25 comments, and 7 shares on Facebook; 377 views and 19 reactions on YouTube; and 11,050 views, 283 reactions, and 44 shares on LinkedIn. Covered critical topics such as data-driven education, tech investments, gamification, AI in education, and administrative innovations.
Marketing and Recruitment Associate
MEST Africa
03.2021 - 03.2024
- Enhanced Program Reach: Successfully marketed PreMEST, MEST Express, and MEST Scale programs, receiving nearly 7,000 applications for PreMEST and 1,022 applications for MEST Express across all 16 regions in Ghana.
- Skill Development: Trained over 1,000 young individuals, with 850+ improving their skills in software development, digital marketing, and soft skills.
- Employment Opportunities: Secured employment for 750+ young people, with 53% being women, significantly contributing to gender diversity.
- Startup Acceleration: Accelerated 82 startups through MEST Express, leading to 92% revenue growth and 103% customer traction.
- Job Creation: Facilitated the creation of over 280 jobs within startups and 500+ jobs as a byproduct of startup services.
- Funding and Investment: Helped 11 startups raise close to $3 million in investment and funding, and secured over $600,000 in grant funding for 22 startups.
- Program Satisfaction: Achieved high satisfaction rates, with 87% of PreMEST participants and 92% of MEST Express startups expressing satisfaction with the programs.
Business Development Officer
First National Bank Ghana
05.2018 - 10.2020
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to secure new partnerships with 250 real estate developers to grow First National Bank Mortgage Business.
- Assessed the performance of current partnerships and developed recommendations for improvement.
- Collaborated with marketing team members on new product launches and promotions.
Education
Master of Science - Procurement Management
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
02-2021
Bachelor of Science - Land Economy
Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology
06.2017
Skills
- Strategic Partnerships
- Project Management
- Market Insight and Trend Analysis
- Event Management
- Relationship Management
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Effective Communication
Volunteering Activities
Partnerships Lead
Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network - Ghana Chapter, April 2023 – Present
- Forged 5+ strategic partnerships, enabling 10+ events that engaged 2,000+ alumni and supported youth initiatives.
- Collaborated with a 7-member committee to foster a vibrant community of 15,000+ members.
Business Development Manager - Ghana
Exchange vzw, June 2023 – Present
- Expanded program reach to 8 African countries, supporting 50+ entrepreneurs with partnership-driven growth strategies.
- Built strategic alliances to enhance impact and scalability of entrepreneurship programs.
Consultant
JY Consulting Limited, November 2023 – December 2024
- Facilitated trade and investment opportunities between Ghanaian and Belgian businesses.
- Organized multi-sectorial trade missions, conducting market research to support international collaboration.
Certification
- Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Timeline
Marketing and Recruitment Manager
MEST Africa
01.2025 - Current
Marketing and Recruitment Lead
MEST Africa
03.2024 - 12.2024
Marketing and Recruitment Associate
MEST Africa
03.2021 - 03.2024
Business Development Officer
First National Bank Ghana
05.2018 - 10.2020
Bachelor of Science - Land Economy
Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology
- Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Master of Science - Procurement Management
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
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