Greetings,

This guide is to assist you gain insight into how to craft your winning cover letter. In this
piece,
You will find:
● Tips to structure your cover letter specifically for a job description
● Tips to structure your CV to compliment your cover letter
● 3 real life examples that won me interviews and job offers!
If you need further assistance, reach me on sallyayim@gmail.com

A. HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR COVER LETTER FOR A SPECIFIC JOB

When writing the content of your cover letter keep it brief, while making sure it
emphasises your suitability for the job. It can be broken down into the following
sections:

First paragraph - The opening statement should set out why you're writing the letter.
Begin by stating the position you're applying for, where you saw it advertised and when
you are available to start.
Second paragraph - Highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills
match the specific requirements of the job description. Summarise any additional
strengths and explain how these could benefit the company.
Third paragraph - Cover why you're suitable for the job, what attracted you to this type
of work, why you're interested in working for the company and what you can offer the
organisation. This is a good opportunity to show off your knowledge of the company.
Last paragraph - Use the closing paragraph to round up your letter. Reiterate your
interest in the role and indicate your desire for a personal interview. Now is the time to
mention any unavailable dates.

SAMPLE LETTER OF COVER LETTER

 Name here

B. STRUCTURING YOUR CV TO COMPLIMENT YOUR COVER LETTER

In my youtube video here, I emphasize the need to tailor your CV first of all to
your job description. After that, you can design your cover letter to compliment
your CV and also for CV to compliment your CV by highlighting key and related
details. See an example below.

Please note that some employers may categorically express that you do not
repeat what has been said in the CV in your cover letter and/or vice versa. Kindly
take note and follow the directives of your employer by adjusting to their
application directives. Whatever they may request supersedes what I will share if
you find that they conflict in that particular instance.

Job Description:
The job role
Do you want to be part of an exciting start-up that identifies and trains brilliant
young African graduates for employment? Field Ready is an exciting company
that operates employability training programmes that prepare entry-level
candidates for employment. Our programmes operate in Ghana, Mozambique,
Nigeria and other African countries. Our aim is to impact 10,000 young people
over the next three years.
We are seeking a Project Manager to oversee our rigorous and proven selection
process for attracting the best candidates. You will be given significant
responsibility from your first day-you will need to be highly organised, driven,
flexible and personable.
Main Responsibilities
● Lead our unique selection process and web platform to select candidates
for training, internships and employment
● Oversee the evaluation process for all new applicants onto our
programmes
● Lead all communication, engagement and logistics with candidates and
alumni
● Lead marketing and social media campaigns
● Manage a series of monthly webinars, which you will coordinate
● Supporting of local logistics
● Manage the candidate database
● Administrative support for Field Ready’s programmes
Personal Attributes
● A passion to make a difference
● Strong communication skills
● High level of initiative and attention to detail
● Passion, integrity and ambition
● Enjoys reading
● Ability to work on multiple projects with independent deadlines
● Team player who can interact professionally across the organisation
● Good working knowledge of Microsoft and social media
How your CV should be tailored in this instance:
NAME
CONTACT DETAILS(phone number, email, customized Linkedin profile, general
location)
SUMMARY OF RELEVANT SKILLS:
Example:
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE (from most recent to least)
Start with the date, position, year, responsibilities and key achievements for
each.
Example is:
EDUCATION
ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS
Example: Co-ordinated 16 different CV training workshops for over 500
participants to improve their jobsearch at XYZ foundation

How your cover letter can compliment your CV:

Summary:
 As displayed above, it can be observed that first, a CV selects key words and
highlights your related skills around that particular desired responsibilities for the
job role. Second, your cover letter acts like a 3 minute pitch or hype man to
highlight the best of your skills or experiences in your CV. Last, use numbers to
paint a vivid picture about your capacities. Remember, your employer does not
know who you are. Do not assume anything.

C. THREE SAMPLE COVER LETTERS

For the 3 sample cover letters I have shared, their CVs are unavailable at this time for
piracy and legal reasons. Find a good example here. Likewise, you can book a session
with me to assist you improve your CV for a specific job role.

JOB ROLE ONE- GRADUATE JUNIOR CONSULTANT

TwentyFifty is a management consultancy with a difference. We work with global multinationals to implement their
commitments to respecting human rights and sustainability. With over a decade’s worth of experience, we are a growing
and dynamic team of consultants based in the UK, Switzerland and Germany and operating with partners globally. In our
work, we combine in-depth human rights knowledge, organisational development and change facilitation expertise as well
as experience in engaging stakeholders in finding solutions to business problems. The power and influence of business
has the potential to make a difference, positive and negative. It is what business does now that will shape the world in
2050. We work with multinational businesses to help them implement their commitments to respect human rights and
sustainability. We:
- Turn theory and principles into practice
- Support organisational change to embed good practice
- Facilitate meaningful stakeholder engagement
- Understand how to use leadership to deliver cultural change
Our services include:
- Human rights training
- Gap assessment of management, policy and practice
- Supply chain risk assessment
- Human rights impact assessment
- Human rights due diligence tools
- Grievance mechanisms
- Policy development
As a graduate consultant, you will be conducting analysis, impact assessments, report writing and be supporting on
teams assisting clients with sustainability and human rights focused challenges. In this regard, our organisation enable
clients to fulfil commitments to respect human rights and sustainability throughout their supply chains. We are focus on:

1- Food & Agriculture

2- Retail & FMCG
3- Technology and Industry
4- Finance and Trading
JOB ROLE TWO - FELLOWS MANAGER
Job Title: Fellows Manager
Reporting Line: Head of Human Resources
Location: Accra or Remote
Job Summary
• The Fellows Manager will be responsible for the management and administration of ACET’s Transformation Fellows and
The World Bank Chief Economists of Government Fellows Programs.
Roles and Responsibilities
Implementation of the Program
• Work with the Research, Policy and Programs (RPP) and Human Resource Units in ACET and the World Bank to select,
appoint and place Transformation & CEOG Fellows
• In consultation with the ACET RPP leadership and the World Bank ensure all Transformation and CEOG fellows have
clear workplans, deliverables and develop and oversee work plans and deliverables for the Fellows
• Serve as the focal point with host institutions (policy institutes, governments, international organizations) to develop
partnership agreements, negotiate terms and benefits for Fellows, ensure regular communication between ACET/World
Bank (as appropriate), the host institutions and the Fellows. This will include mediating disputes, coordinating
performance reviews etc.
• Work closely with the ACET Finance team on payment of salary and benefits, while also aligning such payments with the
host institution policies and procedures
Duty of Care
• Develop guidelines for, and oversee, all aspects of “duty of care” to include health, safety and security for Transformation
and CEOG fellows
• Coordinate with UN and other partners in placement country to ensure ACET is up to date on security briefings and
collaborate with partners regarding disaster preparedness or cases of unrest
• Co-ordinate with HR to ensure all fellows have access to health insurance and other benefits as appropriate
Fellows Support Services
• Develop orientation sessions for fellows using Transformation and CEOG Fellows guidelines in collaboration with HR in
ACET and the World Bank
• Work with ACET HR and the World Bank to ensure adequate logistical support for Fellows
• Manage the administrative processes to ensure Fellows are well-informed and supported throughout the fellowship
• Identify, contract and manage a leadership program service program that will provide leadership development, coaching
and mentoring support to Transformation and CEOG fellows
• Support fellows participation in networks of young professionals
• Establish and manage the alumni of Transformation and CEOG Fellows programs to facilitate the development of a
network of young African transformation economists
Strategic Management
• Co-ordinate with other fellows programs in Africa (ODI, OPM, TBI, IGC etc.) to help create a ‘community of fellows’ in
countries with CEOG and Transformation Fellows
• Develop and implement a monitoring framework to assess and report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the
fellowship programs in collaboration with the ACET M&E manager
• Lead on development partner reporting on ACET Transformation Fellows
• Support the ACET management in growing the Transformation Fellows program
Qualification Required & Experience
• Minimum of a Master’s degree in human resource management, education, international relations or related field
• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience preferably in a similar position
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Extensive people management experience and demonstrated experience of managing complex processes in multiple
countries simultaneously
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities, ability to handle diverse workload
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing plans
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and direct staff
Personal
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise and communicate with colleagues at high levels of seniority
and from different cultures
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure to deliver on time with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating priorities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
Interested applicants should email their CV and an accompanying Cover Letter explaining why you are the most suitable
candidate for the position to
hr@acetforafrica.org
Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
 Nana Yaa Korankyewa Ayim

JOB ROLE THREE - GRADUATE TALENT SOURCING AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATE

Job Title: Fellows Manager
Reporting Line: Head of Human Resources
Location: Accra or Remote

Job Summary

• The Fellows Manager will be responsible for the management and administration of
ACET’s Transformation Fellows and The World Bank Chief Economists of Government
Fellows Programs.

Roles and Responsibilities

Implementation of the Program

• Work with the Research, Policy and Programs (RPP) and Human Resource Units in
ACET and the World Bank to select, appoint and place Transformation & CEOG Fellows
• In consultation with the ACET RPP leadership and the World Bank ensure all
Transformation and CEOG fellows have clear workplans, deliverables and develop and
oversee work plans and deliverables for the Fellows
• Serve as the focal point with host institutions (policy institutes, governments,
international organizations) to develop partnership agreements, negotiate terms and
benefits for Fellows, ensure regular communication between ACET/World Bank (as
appropriate), the host institutions and the Fellows. This will include mediating disputes,
coordinating performance reviews etc.
• Work closely with the ACET Finance team on payment of salary and benefits, while
also aligning such payments with the host institution policies and procedures

Duty of Care

• Develop guidelines for, and oversee, all aspects of “duty of care” to include health,
safety and security for Transformation and CEOG fellows
• Coordinate with UN and other partners in placement country to ensure ACET is up to
date on security briefings and collaborate with partners regarding disaster
preparedness or cases of unrest
• Co-ordinate with HR to ensure all fellows have access to health insurance and other
benefits as appropriate

Fellows Support Services

• Develop orientation sessions for fellows using Transformation and CEOG Fellows
guidelines in collaboration with HR in ACET and the World Bank
• Work with ACET HR and the World Bank to ensure adequate logistical support for
Fellows
• Manage the administrative processes to ensure Fellows are well-informed and
supported throughout the fellowship
• Identify, contract and manage a leadership program service program that will provide
leadership development, coaching and mentoring support to Transformation and CEOG
fellows
• Support fellows participation in networks of young professionals
• Establish and manage the alumni of Transformation and CEOG Fellows programs to
facilitate the development of a network of young African transformation economists

Strategic Management

• Co-ordinate with other fellows programs in Africa (ODI, OPM, TBI, IGC etc.) to help
create a ‘community of fellows’ in countries with CEOG and Transformation Fellows
• Develop and implement a monitoring framework to assess and report on the
effectiveness and efficiency of the fellowship programs in collaboration with the ACET
M&E manager
• Lead on development partner reporting on ACET Transformation Fellows
• Support the ACET management in growing the Transformation Fellows program

Qualification Required & Experience

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in human resource management, education,

international relations or related field
• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience preferably in a similar position

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Extensive people management experience and demonstrated experience of managing

complex processes in multiple countries simultaneously
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities, ability to handle diverse workload
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing plans
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and direct staff

Personal

• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise and communicate with
colleagues at high levels of seniority and from different cultures
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure to deliver on time with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating
priorities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants should email their CV and an accompanying Cover Letter

explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the position to