Nigeria Country Lead – Global Alliance Africa (FTC March 2026)
Innovate UK Business Connect Global Alliance Africa
In 2019, Innovate UK Business Connect embarked on an exciting six-year project, the Global Alliance Africa, aiming to strengthen a shared innovation ecosystem spanning South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and the UK. The project aligns with the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) objectives by forging strategic partnerships amongst innovation stakeholders to enable more effective knowledge transfer and collaboration for stronger local innovation and business environments, helping to achieve long-term ambitions in inclusive growth and job creation.
Purpose of the Role
The Nigeria Country Lead is accountable for:
- Leading the country team to ensure the successful and timely delivery of Global Alliance Africa activities in Nigeria to achieve their objectives and impacts.
- Working actively within the Global Alliance Africa Management Team to grow the project’s prominence in Nigeria as a trusted innovation network aligned to UK government innovation strategies, such as the Innovate UK Plan for Action and the FCDO International Development Strategy.
- Working in effective partnerships with the Global Alliance Africa counterpart teams in South Africa and Kenya, as well as UK Government and country-level stakeholders in meeting the above objectives.
- Responsible for country-level Global Alliance Africa project KPIs, reporting and financial expenditure.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Lead the country team effectively in managing country-level delivery plan targeting new opportunities and high impact for the Global Alliance Africa in Nigeria.
- Work actively as part of the IUK Business Connect Global Alliance Management Team to develop a coherent project strategy and objectives and taking the delivery responsibility in Nigeria against defined workplans, intervention mechanisms and outcomes.
- Direct delivery of the Global Alliance Africa interventions in Nigeria in line with the agreed Country Level Work Plans.
- Effective financial management including responsibility for forecasting month-to-month to ensure programme remains on budget.
- Identify and lead the high integrity and effective country-level stakeholder engagement and relationships, including with UK Government teams, Nigerian public sector agencies, businesses, funders, investors and other innovation stakeholders.
- Ensure efficient forward planning and budgeting of all activities to be undertaken in Nigeria and the timely identification of issues that are delaying or could delay project implementation and develop solutions to address bottlenecks.
- Provide timely country-level quarterly and annual workplans and budgets to the IUK Business Connect Global Alliance Management Team.
- Co-develop and implement effective communication and growth plans for IUK Business Connect Global Alliance in Nigeria and across Africa.
- Travel regularly to engage with key stakeholders and partners in Nigeria, across the continent and in the UK as required.
- Track implementation of the Global Alliance Africa project logical framework outputs related to activities in Nigeria to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation.
Experience & Skills
Experience
- Technical background in circular economy, climate change and/ or net zero, and experience in international development programmes.
- Degree qualified or equivalent in engineering, science, business or policy, with a strong ability in written and verbal communication skills in English and local languages.
- Demonstrable experience in leading a diverse team in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder programme environment across different sectors and international cultures.
- In-depth understanding of the Nigeria and international innovation landscape, ideally cross sectorial, with direct experience in innovation commercialisation, policy implementation, business growth and/or international development.
- Experience and aptitude in building effective engagements and maintaining trusted partnerships with business and public sector stakeholder at all levels, with a good professional profile and network.
- Ideally a Project Management qualification, with direct experience in the delivery major national or international programmes.
- Experience in implementing and leading international donor funded programmes desired.
Skills
- A highly motivated, self-starting and results oriented individual with a strong desire to deliver socioeconomic impacts through equitable partnerships, innovation collaboration and social inclusion.
- Strong leadership capability with the ability to effectively lead and motivate a team working in a complex, inclusive and challenging environment, including the need to effectively balance short and long-term priorities.
- An effective and inclusive inter-personal communicator experienced in engaging and building relationships at all levels in English and local languages.
- Ability to operate autonomously and effectively as a team leader and equally as contributing team member when required.
- Highly numerate and analytical, with the ability to think and plan strategically.
- Able to manage a team and external relationships effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness and ability to undertake regular domestic and international travel.
- High level of IT literacy and organisational skills.
Benefits & how to apply
- This role has a salary of $45,000 – $55,000 (USD)
- Pension
- Life insurance
- Healthcare – reimbursed*
- Internet and mobile – reimbursed*
*up to maximum amount
This role will be offered on a fixed term contract ending 27 March 2026.
This role will be offered on a fixed term contract ending 27 March 2026.
This advert will close on Thursday 6th February though some circumstances may require us to close earlier, so early application is advised.
First stage interviews to be held w/c 17th February.
Second stage interviews to be held in person in March.
Please apply by submitting a tailored cover letter outlining your suitability with specifics relating to the requirements of the role, and your CV outlining your experience.
Office based in Lagos, with some flexibility on home-based working and significant domestic and overseas travel expected. Due to the nature of this role, we are only able to consider applications for full time working. Applicants are invited from Nigerian citizens, who are permanently situated in Nigeria, with a clean UK and international travel visa history.
Should you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please contact the Recruitment Team by email to recruitment@iukbc.org.uk.
Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.
If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing recruitment@iukbc.org.uk.