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.
go to method of application ยป
REF: PMM-SP25
Unit: Innovation Directorate
Reports to: Director, Innovation Directorate
About the Innovation Directorate
The Innovation Directorate is dedicated to driving transformative change by equipping individuals with the skills, tools, and platforms needed to create sustainable, data- driven, and socially impactful solutions to governance and societal challenges. The Directorate oversees several key initiatives, including Ready to Run, Data Services, School of Politics, and the Social Enterprise Incubator.
Role Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven professional to support the execution of innovation-driven initiatives within the Innovation Directorate. The successful candidate will be responsible for program coordination, stakeholder engagement, data-driven insights, and operational execution across the Directorate’s units. This role requires a strong understanding of governance, leadership development, and social impact, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
Program Implementation & Coordination
- Support the planning and execution of initiatives under the Innovation Directorate, including Ready to Run, Data Services, and other strategic programs.
- Assist in developing training materials, workshops, and resources for program participants.
- Manage program logistics, including scheduling, event coordination, and resource allocation.
- Monitor program performance, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and KPIs.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
- Engage with key stakeholders, including faculty, mentors, political leaders, and program participants, to enhance program impact.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of partnerships with external organizations, funders, and thought leaders in governance, leadership, and innovation.
- Represent the Innovation Directorate in external meetings, conferences, and events.
Data & Impact Measurement
- Work closely with the Data Services unit to track program effectiveness and generate insights for continuous improvement.
- Support the development of reports, case studies, and success stories that demonstrate program impact.
- Maintain a centralized database for program participants, stakeholders, and key metrics.
Strategic Support & Innovation
- Contribute to the development of innovative program models and strategies to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the Directorate.
- Conduct research on best practices in governance, leadership development, and social impact to inform program design.
- Provide strategic recommendations to the Director on emerging trends and opportunities in the innovation and leadership space.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor\'s or Masters degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in program management, governance initiatives, leadership development, or social innovation.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) expertise, including designing and implementing M&E frameworks, data collection, impact assessment, and adaptive learning strategies.
- Proven ability to develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for program effectiveness.
- Knowledge of / experience with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data analysis, and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
- Strong understanding of political leadership, civic engagement, and capacity-building programs.
- Experience in report writing, stakeholder reporting, and donor reporting using data- driven insights.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Skills
- Experience using MEAL tools and methodologies such as Theory of Change, Logframes, Results-Based Management (RBM), Outcome Mapping, and Most Significant Change (MSC).
- Familiarity with governance ecosystems in Nigeria and Africa.
- Ability to synthesize data and communicate findings effectively to different audiences (technical and non-technical stakeholders).
- Strong project management skills with proficiency in tools like Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, and data visualization platforms.
- Ability to work across teams and foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement.