View Vacancy - UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Programme Manager, International Tech Hub Network HEO (23/22 LOS)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job:

The role will continue to support the success of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, aiming to develop the Nigerian tech ecosystem, deliver digital skills programmes, and drive partnership and collaboration within the technology ecosystem. Originally the Operations Manager was hired to perform a set of core roles and responsibilities. The role has subsequently expanded and includes additional roles and responsibilities, based on organic role growth, streamlining and building efficiency in Tech Hub processes and procedures, as well as changes to role requirements relevant to physical and in person events due to Covid19. These are defined below.

The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub is part of the International Tech Hub Network, which is delivered by DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), under the UK Government's Digital Access Programme led by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). The programme promotes digital inclusion and inclusive growth in partner countries. Other Hubs are located in South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia and Brazil. The Hub teams work with entrepreneurs, SMEs and start-ups across their respective technology ecosystems to find innovative solutions to local development challenges, thereby driving sustainable economic growth to serve women, marginalised youth and disabled people in particular. The Hubs forge innovation partnerships between the UK and international tech sectors, stimulate local digital economies, and build high-end digital skills to drive sustainable jobs and growth. Through the Hubs' activities, entrepreneurs and founders acquire the skills, resources and support needed to turbocharge their entrepreneurial journey.

The Hub has three main aims:

  • Identify, develop, and deliver tailored interventions to cultivate digital skills responding to the needs and opportunities for inclusion in the local tech sector, for example promoting opportunities for youth and women. Interventions will generally be delivered by local and international partners.
  • Support tech entrepreneurship through partnerships with local digital ecosystem stakeholders including incubators, accelerators and private sector firms, Nigerian government departments and agencies and non-profit organisations, especially building on our support for the Nigeria Start-up Bill as an initiative to improve the regulatory environment for tech start-ups.
  • Facilitate partnerships and linkages between local tech firms (including tech start-ups) and international companies (across all sectors) in the form of commercial partnerships or joint ventures.

The successful candidate will be part of a small team of locally-engaged staff, based within the British High Commission, and will support the Director of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub to deliver its strategy. They will manage the Tech Hub’s day to day operations. Understanding of xHMG dynamics, FCDO internal processes and collaboration across departments

The Operations Lead role will include project and partner management, communications, reporting and further streamlining of processes across the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub.

This role is a fixed term contract. The role holder will be based in Lagos. Travel and working patterns may be revised in line with the Nigerian Government and the UK Government’s management of the coronavirus infection rates in the country. This will be communicated at the time of interview.

Responsibilities of the role will include:

  • Programme managing the Hub’s ongoing projects, as well as developing new ones. This includes project oversight, impact assessment (monitoring & evaluating) budget development and management;
  • Creating and maintaining project standards, systems and procedures including leading on procurement operations;
  • Collaborating with DCMS and other government departments, taking responsibility for delivering delegations (both inward and outward) and events that support the development of the local tech ecosystem; Collaborating with the other Hubs in the global network to develop the network offering;
  • Supporting the Director of the Hub to develop a strategy to establish and make this Hub succeed in the Nigerian landscape.  Supporting the Director to develop new strategic opportunities, cultivating new leads, understanding business and innovation needs across all sectors and convincingly presenting the opportunities for collaboration via the Hub;
  • Developing relationships with local tech firms, start-ups and wider tech sector stakeholders, using these to support the delivery and development of new partnerships and programmes
  • Deputising for the Director in various leadership roles within the team, including representing the Hub and the British High Commission externally in some circumstances (media, speaking opportunities, event representation).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • The post-holder will report to the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Director. The post holder will be required to work closely with the DCMS Tech Hub network team; other government departments, including FCDO and DIT, as well as the other Tech Hubs in the network.
  • This role will suit individuals with experience of the UK/Nigeria tech and startup scenes. The applicant would ideally bring a network of business contacts in Nigeria, using this to expand the Hub’s network.
  • Experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and startup scene within Nigeria;
  • Strong track record of leading successful delivery in either industry or government;
  • Proven track record of developing and running programmes and partnerships from the ground up;
  • Proven project management and budget management skills;
  • Strong organisational skills;
  • Confident writer and experience managing communications materials including social media messaging and newsletters
  • Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and/or startups);
  • Knowledge of the Nigerian business landscape;
  • Ability to engage credibly with senior government and senior industry stakeholders;
  • Willingness to travel within Nigeria (regulations permitting)
  • Highly motivated, passionate about innovation and technology;
  • Open and clear communicator, excellent networking skills including across international environments.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
8 August 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
7 months
Africa
Nigeria
Lagos
British Deputy High Commission
1
NGN 1,009,419.58
monthly
1 September 2022
31 March 2023

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development.  You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in corporate activities.  This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up programme knowledge and expertise and gain exposure to working across government.  You will have access to existing and new Project & Programme Management L&D as well as wider job-relevant L&D and support for your own personal development.

  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British Deputy High Commission in Lagos is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
  • Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff are able to work within the BDHC but their salary will be abated at the appropriate tax rates.
  • All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to Obtain the relevant permit; Pay fees for the permit; Make arrangements to relocate; Meet the costs to relocation
  • The British Deputy High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted 
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.