Deputy Country Head

Focus of the Role

TBI has been working in Nigeria since 2011, supporting leaders to enhance their effectiveness and making their visions a reality. TBI has further expanded its footprint across the country, and currently provides delivery support in the Health and Agriculture sectors, soon to be joined by Tech.

This role will support the Country Head, Nigeria in the leadership and management of the Nigeria-based team and projects, ensure TBI’s centre of government and delivery framework is applied across all projects, build and maintain relationship with counterparts in partner government organisations, including the President’s office, support the Country Head on fundraising, while supporting in identifying and pursuing new project opportunities and other duties as identified by the Country Head.

The role requires operating with political savvy and independence in challenging circumstances, and we are looking for outstanding candidates with a proven track record of leadership and delivery in the public or private sectors, who are self-motivated and passionate about effective government in Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibility

• Support the Country Head in the implementation of country strategy and team Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
• Support the Country Head to guide a wholistic project strategy across multiple sectors
• Ensure project and policy monitoring, evaluation and learning across multiple sectors
• As part of the management team of the country project effectively establish and expand TBIs footprint in Nigeria
• Act as Country Head when the Country Head is away and on a range of matters e.g. responding to senior counterparts, team and operational management, liaising with London on reporting, planning, approvals, etc.
• Lead on specific technical area(s), which will be further identified and articulated in the team’s OKRs. To this end, close collaboration with sector is also expected
• Ensure projects have clear measurement framework for regular data collection, using the organizational Theory of Change and impact tools. Utilising this and other data, lead on regular project performance reporting, including via the quarterly review process
• Provide high quality advice to senior government counterparts we work with as well as TBI leadership
• Deploy a strategic approach to review project progress, consider alternative approaches and re-set workstream objectives accordingly (within the OKRs framework), with approval from the Country Head
• Anticipate project risks and suggest actions to mitigate, including financial, reputational, safety and security

Partnerships and Fundraising

• Understand the country fundraising and business development market by mapping donor opportunities amongst a wide group of stakeholders (predominantly: Foundation offices; bilateral and multilateral donor agency offices and staff; development contractors and INGOs – both not-for profit and for-profit)
• Lead the development of presentations and engagements for donors, partners and internal TBI teams (when required). Support the development of a fundraising strategy for projects including collaboration with the fundraising team, and track progress through the year
• Represent TBI externally to develop, maintain and cultivate international and local networks amongst key stakeholders (i.e., government, private sector, development partners, etc.)
• Build and contribute own contacts and networks as avenues for potential partnership, fundraising and global influence
• Demonstrate ability to apply and learn from new and innovative approaches to policy reform in Africa to supporting change and deliver impact
• Contribute to analysis, lessons, writing case studies or policy papers as necessary to support TBI fundraising, partnership and communications activities

Personnel

• Lead the mobilisation of internal and external expertise to drive the delivery of project priorities and contribute to the learning and development of the team, including short-term consultants, other TBI Advisors/Associates, and TBI interns
• Manage high-performing teams, including all aspects of performance, management, safety and security
• Ensure that risks to the project and staff are spotted and managed adequately and emergency protocols are in place to maximise the safety and well-being of their team
• Ensure policies, procedures and the Code of Conduct are adhered to at all times by project staff
• Contribute to the wider leadership and development of TBI as an organisation by contributing to strategy decisions both within the Africa projects and the wider organisation
• Utilise resources outside of the team – including wider TBI colleagues, Mr. Blair’s office, the TBI sector practices and strategic partnerships within TBI’s network etc – to support partner governments where appropriate with additional expertise and/or support
• Challenge ways of working in the team and projects to drive high aspirations for impact, thought leadership and global influence from the Africa projects and beyond
• Provide active contribution to project goals, especially around thought leadership, fundraising and external positioning, both in terms of identifying the best possible contribution from the team, but also individual leadership to contribute own ideas and time

Person Specification

We are looking for an outstanding individual with high levels of enthusiasm, drive, resilience, a can-do attitude and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment; an individual with a proven track record of leadership and delivery in the public or private sector; with a solid background in public/civil services worldwide; strategy consulting; relevant industry experience; private equity and finance and international development.

The requirements that should be met are:

• Role must be filled by an individual who can live and work in Nigeria without restriction
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in government, government advisory or management consulting
• An ability to work independently, think strategically and translate strategies into concrete and implementable plans
• Subject matter expertise may be required e.g. public policy, international development, private sector development, agriculture etc.  depending on the project strategy
• Experienced people manager and effective motivator of high performing teams
• Ability to manage high level political relationships, including as an interlocutor in Mr Blair’s relationship with the Government leadership
• Ability to identify and address drivers of change in low capacity, public sector environments
• An acute attention to detail with excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience of identifying and resolving project implementation bottlenecks
• Ability to set and maintain a safe and secure culture and professional environment
• Strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is strongly desirable

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to equip leaders to build open, prosperous and inclusive societies. We believe that politics done well has the power to transform lives. When governments work well, they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We are optimists, and we work relentlessly to support leaders and governments with the challenges they face: giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people.  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.