UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Director, International Tech Hub Network at British High Commission

Job ID: 31/22 LOS
Grade: Grade 7 (G7)
Start Date: 1 October 2022
Duration of Post: 12 months
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Job Subcategory: Economic and Prosperity
Type of Post: British Deputy High Commission
Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

• This is an exciting opportunity to lead the innovative and high-profile UK-Nigeria Tech Hub based in Lagos. 
• The Hub is part of a global network of international tech partnerships developed by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to build digital ecosystems that will facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.
• The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub is part of the International Tech Hub Network, which is delivered by DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), under the UK Government's Digital Access Programme led by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). 
• The programme promotes digital inclusion and inclusive growth in partner countries. Other Hubs are located in South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia and Brazil. 
• The Hub aims to develop the Nigerian tech ecosystem, deliver digital skills programmes, and build links between Nigerian and international (including UK) tech businesses, working as a distinct part of the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme.
• We are looking for a dynamic, well-networked leader from the Nigerian tech scene for this important role. 
• The hub has a critical role in the UK Government’s strategy for Nigeria, notably supporting the drive for greater digital access and maximising the growth, development and job-creation potential of the digital sector.
• The successful candidate will lead a small team of country-based staff in the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, and will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for the Hub. The team will support local digital ecosystems in both the commercial hotspots and across more disadvantaged regions of Nigeria. 
• They follow the example of successful hubs elsewhere in the world such as the UK-Israel Hub in Tel Aviv. The Tech Hub Network is funded as part of a cross-government development programme, so collaboration across departments will be a critical success factor in this role.

The Hub will have three main aims:

• Identify, develop (including project management and budgeting), and deliver tailored interventions to cultivate digital skills responding to the needs and opportunities for inclusion in the local tech sector for example promoting opportunities for youth and women in the local tech sector. Interventions will generally be delivered by local and international partners;
• support tech entrepreneurship through partnerships with local digital ecosystem stakeholders including incubators, accelerators and private sector firms, Nigerian government departments and agencies and non-profit organisations, while also highlighting UK strengths and the suitability of the UK as a tech partner. 
• Build on our support for the Nigeria Start-Up Bill as an initiative to improve the regulatory environment for tech start-ups; facilitate partnerships between local tech firms (including tech start-ups) and international companies (across all sectors) in the form of commercial partnerships or joint ventures.

Responsibilities

• Overall leadership of the Tech Hub, managing and working closely with an Operations Lead;
• Managing the Hub budget and ensuring necessary financial processes are followed;
• Contributing to the design, development and delivery of the Tech Hub, Digital Access Programme and Nigeria country strategies;
• Overseeing the implementation of the DCMS-designed Hub monitoring and evaluation framework and providing management, performance and financial updates to senior stakeholders within UK Government;
• Developing strategic partnership opportunities for the Hub, identifying and cultivating new leads, understanding business and innovation needs across all sectors and convincingly present the opportunities for collaboration;
• Contributing to the Hub’s future sustainability by actively seeking new opportunities for execution of the Hub’s mission, and developing revenue streams that will help the Hub to become financially sustainable in the long term.
• Working closely with DCMS central Tech Hub team, Digital Access Programme Adviser and other UK government departments, including the Department for International Trade (DIT), and FCDO to ensure that strategic priorities and delivery are aligned;
• Acting as the  lead point of contact for the Hub for stakeholders in government, (both Nigerian and UK) corporates and startups;
• Work closely and collaboratively with Tech Hub Directors across the International Tech Hub Network to deliver impactful cross-network projects, ensure network-wide learning and evaluation as well as deliver on long-term strategy.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• The jobholder will have direct line management responsibilities for the Deputy Director. (S)he will report to the First Secretary and Head of Prosperity in Lagos, while taking strategic direction from the International Tech Hub Network Team in London. 
• The jobholder will be required to work closely with staff from other government departments, including FCDO, DIT, and the other Tech Hubs.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• This role will suit individuals with significant experience of the UK/Nigeria tech and start-up scenes, combined with an understanding of development policy and how technology can be harnessed to reduce poverty. 
• The role will require significant leadership experience and expert knowledge of Nigerian government policy and of the business environment. 
• The role will suit somebody with experience and a track record of impact in Nigeria and international markets and willing to take on the opportunity of building a significant tech partnership between Nigeria and the UK. 
• Experience with  influencing and shaping policy positions, experience with digital or e commerce regulation is welcome but not required. 
• At least five years’ experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and start-up scene within Nigeria;
• Significant leadership experience and record of impact in the technology/digital sector or business development more widely (or a passion for innovation and technology);
• Experience of developing strategies in partnership with multiple stakeholders;
• Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and start-ups), federal and state government;
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Nigerian business landscape
• Track record of leading successful delivery in either industry, government or using technology for development;
• Proven track record of leading teams to develop and run programmes and partnerships from the ground up – core funding will constitute Official Development Assistance, with legal constraints around how it is spent so an existing understanding or previous experience of development policy would be very welcome;
• Willingness to travel frequently within Nigeria, and to occasionally travel to the UK and other locations
• Language:  Excellent spoken and written English.  Knowledge of a Nigerian language, such as Yoruba or Hausa, would be welcome too.

Required behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together.

Salary : USD 4,837.39 / Annum

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• DCMS, the Nigeria network and the Digital Access Programme place a strong emphasis on learning and development.  You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in corporate activities.  
• This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up programme knowledge and expertise and gain exposure to working across government.  
• You will have access to existing and new Project & Programme Management L&D as well as wider job-relevant L&D and support for your own personal development.
• There will be the possibility for the successful candidate to work from home 1-2 days a week.
• Flexible working hours approach is also adopted by BDHC Lagos and hours are compressed to account for a lunchtime finish on Fridays