Head of Tech, Nigeria

Focus of the Role

Are you excited by the prospect of transforming developing and emerging nations in Africa through the application of technology and innovations across public services, agriculture, health and climate? Do you have experience of consulting or working in the tech field, or with tech-enabled businesses and of leading teams to drive systemic and transformative change in an emerging or developing country? If yes, then we are looking for you!

Job Introduction

The Head of Tech is a critical leadership role in our Nigeria project, responsible for setting the strategy, building the team, and enabling the effective implementation of the Tech for Development Programme. Enabled by a dynamic external partner, the Tech for Development programme operates in close coordination with TBI’s Government Advisory and Tech & Public Policy divisions, exploring transformational initiatives across existing and new government partnerships. This landmark initiative will be delivered in 30 countries, with preliminary initiatives already under scoping in Nigeria with a state government. We are aiming to scale to other states and the federal level.

The post holder will report to the Nigeria Country Head and Deputy Global Director TBI’s Global Director Tech for Development, Heads of Sector, other Heads of Tech across Africa and the wider T4D team to deliver our global ambition.

This is a senior role requiring an exceptional candidate with relevant expertise, deep networks with government and/or industry in country or other peer countries.

This is an initial 2 year Fixed Term contract.

Nigerian National. However, open to relocating a Nigerian national or consider a non-Nigerian with previous papers or work experience in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Key outcomes of the role

• Development and delivery of our Nigeria Tech for Development country strategy, created and staffed with engaged and results-oriented team members
• Effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, such as the President, State Governors, Ministers and Special Advisors, and Federal and State Agency Heads and securing at least one key counterpart as a regular contact
• Design and deployment of solutions ranging from digital health to digital ID, and supporting enabling policy foundations
• Foster greater collaboration between private sector tech players and stakeholders at all levels of government with direct use cases for tech solutions
• Thought leadership recognised in country/regionally/globally and contribution to our Tech for Development global offer and playbook
• Expenditure in line with the budget

Role summary

• Strategy and Planning: design, maintain and continually improve: (i) the country strategy for Tech for Development; and (ii) plans and tools to roll out the strategy from one tech domain to another, within one ministry or across Federal and State governments
• Government Relations: establish effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, such as the President, State Governors, Ministers and Special Advisors and Federal and State Agency heads. Secure mandates with at least one key counterpart as regular contact, in service of our mission to support political leaders to achieve results that benefit the people of the country and in service of our Tech for Development initiative
• Execution and Monitoring: establish, review and maintain project goals, plans, proof points and KPIs. Serve as the focal point for Tech for Development in country, project and output quality control and design tools to support execution. Report and engage with Country Head Nigeria, and the Global Director Tech for Development and her team to drive delivery, ideate, troubleshoot and manage the initiative across TBI. Ensure expenditure is utilised in line with budget with robust management accounts and accountability established. Ensure all necessary risk, legal and financial compliance and processes are in place
• People: recruit, manage and develop a country team to report to post holder working with the Country Head and T4D Leadership in its vision and craft. Shape and embody a culture that drives innovation and delivery. Provide quality control of new hires and ongoing development and mentoring. The post holder and his/her team will be expected to play a key role in the broader community at TBI and will be expected to build strong working relationships
• External Relations (non-governmental): engage with relevant external stakeholders such as tech hubs/incubators, founders, investors, other not for profit organisations, media, suppliers and agencies
• One TBI: the post holder will formally report to the Country Head Nigeria and form part of the wider team and country programme. They will be matrixed on deliverables and work closely with the Deputy Global Director Tech for Development and the wider T4D team. Other key relationships will be with the Executive Directors for External Relations, Government Advisory, Tech & Public Policy, and our Legal, HR and Finance support teams

Person Specification

We are looking for an experienced leader:

• Extensive experience in management consulting, government or government advisory, related to digital transformation and advisory programme leadership
• With experience in technology enterprises or digital transformation programmes in a public sector environment
• With a good understanding of the tech space in Nigeria, including key actors and technology solutions and with experience working in Nigeria or West Africa on digital transformation projects for public good
• With familiarity with policy foundations and regulation needed to foster and enable technology transformation for public good
• With familiarity with agile programme delivery and in guiding pilots and prototyping efforts and then scaling
• Who is strategic and can challenge the status-quo and develop plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives
• Who is a bold thinker equipped to be a thought partner and peer to cutting edge technology companies as well as government leadership with an aim to thinking towards the future of cutting edge innovation
• With outstanding management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives and contribute directly to outcomes hands-on
• Who is a communicator and influencer, from board level through to technical level and is adept at managing up and beyond hierarchy
• Who has worked or consulted in developing and emerging economies and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms, and will foster a positive spirit of collaboration between our countries and our tech transformation offer
• With a minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• Who has full right to reside and work in Nigeria

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader 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 Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 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.