Program Officer, Scaling Innovation Practice

Program Officer, Scaling Innovation Practice

Location: Abuja, Nigeria (this role is a hybrid position, with a mix of remote and in-office days)

Practice: Scaling Innovation

Contracted hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Contract length: Fixed term to 31 March 2027 with possibility for extension subject to funding.

Reporting to: Umar Kabo Idris, Senior Programme Officer in the Scaling Innovation Practice based in Nigeria.

Opportunity

R4D is seeking a Program Officer to join our Scaling Innovation Practice, based in Abuja, Nigeria. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of an upcoming UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)-funded science, technology and innovation programme in Nigeria which requires full time engagement at least until the end of March 2027.

The portfolio brings together three complementary workstreams focused on strengthening Nigeria's STI ecosystem: (1) a UK-Nigeria Science and Technology Cluster Partnership, (2) a Research-to-Enterprise Pilot working with selected research institutions, and (3) a responsible AI research initiative connecting Nigerian and UK-based researchers around Nigeria's national AI priorities.

The Scaling Innovation Practice operates a matrixed resourcing structure, with team members contributing across different programmes and projects in line with their expertise. As an integral member of the Innovation team, the Program Officer may also contribute technical expertise in innovation scaling, innovation ecosystems, and innovation policy and practice across other programmes the portfolio, while leading significant components of the Nigeria programme. The role reports to the Senior Programme Officer based in Abuja

This position offers the opportunity to work within a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial team, taking ownership of high-profile partnerships and contributing directly to the design and delivery of globally relevant innovation initiatives. Operationally, it is a fast-paced environment, where we deliver high-quality work whilst moving at speed.

The right person for this role will be entrepreneurial, strategic, and highly organised, with a strong track record of managing multiple projects involving detailed work planning, collaboration across geographically dispersed teams, funder engagement, management of multiple contracts and partnerships, risk management, and production of high-quality deliverables. Experience working in the fields of technology innovation, innovation ecosystems strengthening, responsible AI, or science and technology policy is required.

Responsibilities

1. Project / programme management

• Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting, and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management
• Lead significant components of UK-Nigeria S&T Cluster Partnership and Research-to-Enterprise Pilot, including research into priority sectors, review of international good practice on cluster and research-to-enterprise models, and support to the ecosystem diagnostic process
• Develop and execute personal workplans aligned to overall program delivery timelines. Ensuring the high-quality and timely delivery of innovation activities implemented as agreed in the program workplan.
• Produce high-quality deliverables with light-touch support and guidance from the Senior Program Manager.
• Support data collection for the MEL strategy across all three workstreams, including collection of relevant stakeholder and ecosystem data.
• Proactively manage risks and issues as they arise, proposing next steps and options for resolution.
• Contribute and own the development of funder progress reports and updates.
• Contribute to operational processes such as procurement, budgeting, and resourcing.
• Contribute to internal evaluation of how work is progressing on programmes / projects.

1. Technical input

• Conduct rapid research and stakeholder mapping into priority sectors under consideration for the UK-Nigeria S&T Cluster, producing well-evidenced briefs on potential sector rationale and mutual benefit for UK and Nigeria.
• Review draft ecosystem diagnostics and provide substantive input on good practice and international learning on cluster models and research-to-enterprise approaches.
• Support the review of international evidence on research commercialisation, knowledge transfer, and responsible AI governance models applicable to the Nigerian context.
• Lead, with some senior support the development of technical and analytical products including reports, tools, and frameworks across all three workstreams.
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge and approaches within the innovation ecosystems, research commercialisation, and responsible AI areas.

1. Partner engagement

• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with project partners and actors from across the innovation ecosystem including relevant government ministries and agencies, selected research institutions, MSMEs, and downstream delivery partners.
• Create clear and impactful content and adapt it effectively for presentation to relevant audiences including government, research institutions, and private sector actors.
• Support, and sometimes lead, the planning and facilitation of stakeholder workshops and convenings across all three workstreams, including logistics and documentation.
• Support, and sometimes lead, the engagement with the UK-based Nigerian research diaspora community for the responsible AI research initiative.

1. Innovation Practice Strategy & Management

• Contribute to the development of the Scaling Innovation Practice, e.g. through production of thought leadership, development/improvement of Practice methods and tools, operational improvement initiatives and recruitment as required.
• Contribute to development of funding proposals for business development opportunities, e.g. leading on writing sections of proposals.
• Represent the Innovation Practice and R4D at meetings, conferences and events as required.
• Contribute to R4D internal networks and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• MA +3 years' experience OR BA +5 years’ experience. The qualification would ideally be in global development, public policy, science and technology, innovation, or another relevant field. Candidates with other qualifications offering equivalent levels of professional experience may also be considered.
• Programme and project management experience in global development, innovation, science & technology, or related ecosystem-based programmes.
• Experience working in the fields of technology innovation, scaling innovation and/or innovation ecosystems strengthening.
• Impeccable writing, communication and presentation skills, including experience producing high-quality outputs and facilitating engagement with senior or multi-stakeholder audiences (in-person and virtual).
• Demonstrated experience of working effectively in a matrixed environment across multiple programmes, teams, or workstreams.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage relationships with a diversity of different development actors - both country and global levels, including government actors, think tanks, innovation ecosystem actors and technical partners.
• Experience managing components of donor-funded programmes (e.g. FCDO or equivalent) including coordination with partners, sub-contractors, or implementing organisations
• Understanding of the innovation and scaling process and innovation ecosystems.
• Strategic and creative problem solver.
• Highly collaborative and approachable team member who is enthusiastic about supporting the Innovation team and working closely with others at R4D.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability.
• Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects and work streams with competing time/resource demands.
• Enthusiasm, energy, good judgement, humour and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel occasionally based on project needs (max. 3-4 weeks per year).
• All candidates must be legally authorised to work in Nigeria.

Highly desirable

• A professional qualification in project / programme management.
• Experience with innovation methodologies such as user centred design / agile / adaptive learning.
• Experience working directly with innovators/entrepreneurs and/or other innovation ecosystem actors.

Potential Salary: 13,330,000 NGN. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

R4D aims to provide an equitable and consistent starting salary for all new hires based on the responsibilities and qualifications required for the position. The full salary range allows for future career and earnings growth.

Base salary is only one component of our total rewards package. R4D offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, open personal leave, 15 days of paid sick leave, paid holidays, paid parental leave, pension contribution, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program and a flexible work environment. Please visit our R4D Careers page for more details.

International hiring ranges and benefits packages will differ based on location.

With many of the initiatives within our portfolio at an exciting stage of their development / implementation, we are eager to find someone who is able to start as soon as possible. As a result, we will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as we receive strong applications.