Director and Head, Research, Policy and Advocacy Institute, Lagos at Stresert Services Limited

Level: Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Direct Reports:

• Head, Research
• Head, Policy and stakeholder Mobilization

Our client

REF NO: DR-RSPAD-425

Our client is a leading non-governmental enterprise support organization whose primary focus is enabling Nigerian entrepreneurs succeed at every level of their commercial undertaking, through the provision of various business programs aimed at supporting and exploring their full potential.

Job summary

• Develop and lead an ambitious vision for the Institute to deliver on the research, policy, and advocacy strategies of the organization.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Institute while ensuring successful delivery and implementation of the organization’s strategy plan related to research, thought leadership and policy advocacy programming in line with the organization’s mid-to long-term strategic goals.
• Main responsibilities and duties
• Effectively lead and drive the development and implementation of the Institute’s strategic plan and blueprint including but not limited to ensuring that the institute is at the forefront of entrepreneurship research, thought leadership, policy influencing and advocacy in Nigeria and relevant regions.
• Develop, drive, and motivate a high-performing Division that engenders a culture of excellence, entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and accountability while ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic plans and focus areas.
• Champion the development and provision of high-quality and cutting-edge research and data-gathering initiatives to enable pioneering MSME/entrepreneurship insights and thought leadership by the Institute.
• Ensure the continued enhancement of the research capacity of the Institute by developing an effective Research Fellows program and building/enhancing key stakeholder relationships within defined networks locally and internationally with Academia, relevant entrepreneurship groups and networks, practitioners, and other relevant research institutes.
• Lead the development of policy dialogues, engagement, and advocacy strategies to aid the Institute and the organization’s effective contribution to MSME and Entrepreneurship policy making, review and design.
• Direct and manage the research and analysis required to produce relevant thought leadership materials such as white papers, policy memos and reports and adhere to locally and globally established research standards and principles.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships and networks with key stakeholders involved in relevant entrepreneurship and MSME policy, delivery, and research – including national and local government, other national/local agencies, trusts and foundations, service providers, and other research centres and think tanks.
• Drive the involvement, representation, and membership of the Institute within relevant sub national, national and global entrepreneurship/MSME communities, councils, associations and groups.
• Lead and maintain the strategic efforts to position the Institute as a leader in Nigeria’s MSMEs and entrepreneurship data and policy aggregator through relevant flagship reports and events including but not limited to the State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria report and the Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship series.
• Keep abreast of relevant entrepreneurship policy changes in Nigeria and their impact on Nigeria’s nano, micro, small, and medium enterprise space and ensure the dissemination of that knowledge by the Institute within the ecosystem and to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure an internal mechanism that provides continued monitoring and evaluation of processes, controls, and activities within the Institute in line with global best practices.
• Collaborate effectively with the Executive Director to identify, engage, and follow through on fundraising, technical partnerships to ensure that the programs, activities, and products of the Institute have sustainability strategies built into it.
• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including the statutory and regulatory bodies, policymakers, thought leaders, investors, etc.
• Lead the Institute’s engagement and stakeholder management and reporting of the Board and Communications and Advocacy committee meetings as required.
• Oversee the preparation, monitoring and reporting of the yearly budget and ensure prompt financial management and reporting to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as the Ambassador of the Institute and raise the profile locally and globally by upholding good practices and ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Competency and Skill Requirements

• Very strong and evident interest, passion, and experience with MSME and entrepreneurship thought leadership and policy.
• Very evident ability to lead and produce thought leadership on policy matters particularly on the Nigerian entrepreneurship ecosystem including gathering, analyzing and making data insights and inferences.
• Excellent communication skills and influencing skills with proven ability to engage and influence target local and international private, public and development sector stakeholder audiences.
• Ability to develop and manage the budget and finances of a division including ensuring effective cost management and exploring income generation potentials.
• Experience in financial planning, resource allocation, and the ability to lead and successfully initiate and implement change.
• Ability to set priorities and manage competing demands to deliver change in a complex environment to achieve results.
• Ability to develop and implement a strategic plan and set clear metrics for success and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional people management, public speaking, and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and G-Suite.
• An innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.

Key Performance Indicators

• Successful achievement of the Institute’s strategic KPI goals and objectives.
• Impact and number of entrepreneurial policies and research programs and initiatives recommended and implemented and referenced in peer-reviewed and recognized sources and platforms.
• Number of thought leadership materials produced in line with target goals and focus areas.
• Satisfaction levels of the stakeholders of the Institute.
• Timely planning and successful implementation of the Institute programs, activities, thought leadership materials and events.
• Quality of research outcome and the timeliness of research impact report.
• Adherence to leading research policy advocacy standards and principles.
• Adherence to the organization’s policies and procedures.

Minimum Education and Work Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Law, or any social sciences degree from an accredited university.
• A master’s degree in public policy, Economics, Public Administration, Entrepreneurship or Political Science and or extensive practitioner experience in developing and implementing data-based advocacy for entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Experience leading entrepreneurial research and policy projects using pragmatic and strategic methodologies.
• Very strong interest and passion for the non-profit, social or development sector.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience and at least 6-8 years of experience at a Senior Management level in research and policy advocacy with very strong preference for experience within the entrepreneurship space.