HEAD OF KNOWLEDGE AND EVIDENCE at Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA)

THE ROLE
Reporting to the CEO of EFInA, the Head of Knowledge and Evidence will provide accurate, credible and relevant market information on the Nigerian financial sector by leading the implementation of EFInA’s research activities and the interpretation of research results. In accordance with EFInA’s five year strategy, the Head of Knowledge and Evidence will ensure the successful delivery of all strategic research goals across EFInA’s core programme areas, thereby sustaining EFInA’s leadership at the cutting-edge of financial sector development in Nigeria. This will include overseeing the production and dissemination of new research; showcasing innovation; and supporting a wide range of knowledge-sharing activities in-country, regionally and internationally. It will also involve building market capacity to access and use EFInA’s research to spur both commercial innovation and policy reform, and bringing rigour to methods of measuring the impact of financial sector programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

•     Conceptualise and manage knowledge-based projects in line with EFInA’s strategic objectives (including evaluating research proposals; planning research projects; developing quantitative and qualitative methodology and research tools; managing appointed market research firms to conduct fieldwork and data collection; conducting analysis; monitoring progress; finalising end-of-project reports and quarterly monitoring reports; managing desk research, literature reviews, and customised surveys and scoping studies)
•     Contribute to EFInA’s ongoing strategic planning process by generating and using research to identify challenges faced by Nigeria’s unbanked and under-banked
•     Provide insightful and meaningful data to support EFInA’s advocacy and policy agenda
•     Lead the implementation of all EFInA’s surveys and studies in line with the organisation’s five year strategy, including EFInA’s Access to Financial Services in Nigeria survey, a nationwide survey with more than 20,000 respondents
•     Ensure effective thought leadership and dissemination of all research undertaken by EFInA
•     Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and ensure linkages to the wider research community
•     Keep abreast of access to finance related research and write papers on key programme areas to contribute to the development of the financial sector
•     Engage with team members across EFInA to support, capture and share their information, research and evaluation-related activities
•     Establish and continuously improve monitoring and evaluation systems and use them to effectively measure, monitor and communicate the impact of EFInA’s work
•     Manage the Communications Officer to develop and implement a communications strategy to distil and disseminate EFInA’s primary research to a wide audience
•     Develop a learning culture, and embed EFInA’s Total Quality Management systems in the Research Department, to ensure standards of excellence across the organisation

This role is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• This position demands a highly analytical and strategic thinker who is able to articulate the role of data in deepening financial inclusion. He/she will have very strong experience and capability in undertaking both qualitative and quantitative research, and will be familiar with current research trends in financial sector development.
• The Head of Knowledge and Evidence will be responsible for disseminating EFInA’s research to a wide audience and will ideally possess a good knowledge of EFInA’s programme areas and financial inclusion in Nigeria. He/she will have the ability and curiosity to rapidly digest new information and identify and contribute to new and emerging thinking about ways to deepen financial inclusion. He/she must also demonstrate the ability to present EFInA’s research data articulately and compellingly. He/she will have the gravitas, credibility and ability to proactively build and maintain both existing and new relationships with key stakeholders in academia and to manage relationships with market research firms and industry associations working on access to finance related initiatives.
• The successful applicant will have a strong strategic focus, be results driven, and committed to high standards of performance. He/she must be comfortable with negotiating change, taking responsibility and making complex strategic and operational decisions. Highly adaptable, creative, and used to delivering results in a dynamic and fluid working environment, the Head of Knowledge and Evidence will rapidly assume a wide range of responsibilities and make decisive and tangible contributions to EFInA as soon as he/she joins the organisation.

Essential:

•     Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Anthropology, International Development, Public Policy or related field, from a reputable institution
•     Minimum of ten years’ work experience at a senior level in a large private sector or academic research environment
•     Minimum of seven years’ experience in undertaking social research and managing research firms or departments, and the ability to conduct statistical modelling
•     Strong experience/capability in directing large national surveys and research projects and knowledge of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods with extensive experience in: Conducting fieldwork, such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions; Designing research guides, survey tools and questionnaires; Developing analysis frameworks; Research and survey administration, data management and data analysis
•     Track record of publishing papers and articles
•     Strong knowledge and understanding of research trends in financial sector development
•     Strong understanding of the different approaches for measuring and evaluating impact
•     Demonstrated experience in a complex or pioneering environment and managing or facilitating change
•     Supervision and leadership experience
•     Strong relationship management experience with the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of senior stakeholders, both in the private and public sectors
•     Commitment to the financial inclusion agenda