Program Coordinator - Research to Commercialization (R2C) at Adam Smith International

Role Overview

• The project, funded under the RISA programme, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem by scaling local Technology Delivery Systems (TDS), fostering Participatory Technology Development (PTD), and enabling distributed manufacturing at a national scale. This includes facilitating networking and partnerships, advancing Research-to-Commercialization (R2C), and promoting research development and impact. 
• The coordinator will support the implementation of strategies to transition research outputs into market-ready solutions. This role requires close collaboration with research institutions, private sector players, and MSMEs to create enabling environments for cascaded-commercialization through participatory technology development and distributed manufacturing. 
• The position demands strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills to drive sustainable commercialization models within the agricultural mechanization and innovation ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities
Project Implementation & Coordination:

• Support the execution of R2C project priorities, ensuring alignment with RISA Fund objectives and national STI policies.
• Facilitate the scaling and establishment of Technology Development Support Partnerships (TDSPs) with research institutions and the private sector for research commercialization.
• Support efforts to expand participatory technology development (PTD) models across research institutions, fabricators, and processor clusters.
• Support the development of business models for research commercialization and distributed manufacturing.
• Ensure the integration of Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles in R2C strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development:

• Support efforts to Strengthen academia-industry linkages to promote co-creation and commercialization of research outputs.
• Engage with government agencies, research institutions, and industry players to ensure policy alignment for research commercialization.
• Foster public-private partnerships (PPPs) for funding and scaling research-based innovations.
• Provide strategic engagement support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participating in commercialization efforts.

Performance Monitoring, Learning & Reporting:

• Ensure timely submission of reports, including policy briefs, research insights, and knowledge-sharing publications.
• Develop and monitor R2C performance indicators, ensuring adherence to project milestones and timelines.
• Lead the documentation of case studies, success stories, and market adoption reports.
• Support grant reporting and compliance for donor-funded projects.
• Utilize graphic design and presentation tools to enhance communication of research findings and commercialization strategies.

Capacity Building & Sustainability Planning:

• Support in the trainings for researchers, MSMEs, and fabricators on commercialization pathways and market readiness.
• Ensure long-term sustainability of R2C initiatives by integrating commercialization strategies into national and international policies.
• Train and support maker-spaces on distributed manufacturing networks as enablers for local production and technology diffusion.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Technology Development & Commercialization:

• Number of market-ready technologies developed, standardized, and commercialized.
• Number of MSMEs, fabricators, and researchers trained in digital fabrication, prototyping, and commercialization.
• Approved frameworks for scaling participatory technology systems and attracting private sector investment in manufacturing.
• Verified database of research institutions, fabricators, and processors in target states.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration:

• Number of formal partnerships established between research institutions and private sector entities.
• Documented improvements in CONESAM’s leadership structure and operations.
• Number of policy engagements and public-private dialogues conducted.

Reporting & Knowledge Dissemination:

• Timely submission of grant reports and policy briefs.
• Number of published knowledge products (journal articles, case studies, or success stories).
• Use of graphic design and presentation tools to effectively communicate findings.
• Number of stakeholders trained to sustain R2C initiatives independently.
• Number of commercialization activities integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) strategies.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience in donor-funded project management with a focus on research commercialization.
• Strong grant writing and reporting skills, with experience in donor compliance.
• Expertise in technology innovation management, market systems development, and industrial scaling strategies.
• Proficiency in digital productivity tools (MS Office, project management software, data visualization tools).
• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations, public-private partnerships, and policy engagements.
• Strong ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure.
• Availability to travel periodically on short notice across project locations and coordinate complex interventions.
• Knowledge of Nigeria’s STI ecosystem, agricultural mechanization, and industrial policy frameworks.
• Graphic design and presentation skills for enhancing knowledge dissemination and stakeholder engagement.