UK-Nigeria Tech-Hub Director, International Tech Hub Network D6 at British High Commission

Job ID: 01/21 LOS

Location: Lagos

Grade: D6 (L)

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Economic and Prosperity
Number of Vacancies: 1

Type of Position: Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Start Date: 15th July, 2021
End Date: 31st March 2022

Main Purpose of Job

• This is an exciting opportunity to lead the innovative and high-profile UK-Nigeria Tech Hub based in Lagos. The Hub is part of a global network of international tech partnerships developed by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to build digital ecosystems that will facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.
• The Hub aims to develop the Nigerian tech ecosystem, deliver digital skills programmes, and build links between Nigerian and international (including UK) tech businesses, working as a distinct part of the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme. We are looking for a dynamic, well-networked leader from the Nigerian tech scene for this important role. The hub has a critical role in the UK Government’s strategy for Nigeria, notably supporting the drive for greater digital access and maximising the growth, development and job-creation potential of the digital sector.
• The successful candidate will lead a small team of country-based staff in the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, and will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for the Hub. The team will support local digital ecosystems in both the commercial hotspots and across more disadvantaged regions of Nigeria. They follow the example of successful hubs else where in the world such as the UK-Israel Hub in Tel Aviv.
• The Tech Hub Network is funded as part of a cross-government development programme, so collaboration across departments will be a critical success factor in this role.

The Hub will have three main aims:

• Identify, develop (including project management and budgeting), 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 in the local tech sector. 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, while also highlighting UK strengths and the suitability of the UK as a tech partner;
• Facilitate partnerships between local tech firms (including tech start-ups) and international companies (across all sectors) in the form of commercial partnerships or joint ventures.

Responsibilities include:

• Overall leadership of the Tech Hub, including recruiting and leading a team of two other locally-engaged staff, managing the Hub budget and ensuring that Hub operations run smoothly;
• Contributing to the design, development and delivery of the Tech Hub, Digital Access Programme and Nigeria country strategies;
• Overseeing the implementation of the DCMS-designed Hub monitoring and evaluation framework and providing management, performance and financial updates  to senior stakeholders within UK Government;
• Developing strategic partnership opportunities for the Hub, identifying and cultivating new leads, understanding business and innovation needs across all sectors and convincingly present the opportunities for collaboration;
• Contributing to the Hub’s future sustainability by actively seeking new opportunities for execution of the Hub’s mission, and developing revenue streams that will help the Hub to become financially sustainable in the long term.
• Working closely with DCMS central Tech Hub team, Digital Access Programme Adviser and other UK government departments, including the Department for International Trade (DIT), and FCDO to ensure that strategic priorities and delivery are aligned;
• Acting as the  lead point of contact for the Hub for stakeholders in government, (both Nigerian and UK) corporates and startups;
• Work closely and collaboratively with Tech Hub Directors across the International Tech Hub Network to deliver impactful cross-network projects, ensure network-wide learning and evaluation as well as deliver on long-term strategy.

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Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):  

• The jobholder will have direct line management responsibilities for the Deputy Director. (S)he will report to the Economic  Counsellor in Lagos, while taking strategic direction from the International Tech Hub Network Team in London. The jobholder will be required to work closely with staff from other government departments, including FCDO, DIT, and the other Tech Hubs.

Essential Qualities, Skills and Experience

• At least five years’ experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and start-up scene within Nigeria;
• Significant leadership experience in the technology/digital sector or business development more widely (or a passion for innovation and technology);
• Experience of developing strategies in partnership with multiple stakeholders;
• Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and start-ups);
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Nigerian business landscape
• Track record of leading successful delivery in either industry or government;
• Good judgement and political understanding;
• Resilience and adaptability;
• Ability to engage credibly with senior government and senior industry stakeholders
• Proven track record of leading teams to develop and run programs and partnerships from the ground up – core funding will constitute Official Development Assistance, with legal constraints around how it is spent so an existing understanding of this will be helpful;
• Willingness to travel frequently within Nigeria, and to occasionally travel to the UK and other locations
• Language:  Excellent spoken and written English.  Knowledge of a Nigerian language, such as Yoruba or Hausa, would be welcome too.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Any experience in working with/managing ODA funds would be desirable

Required Competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace

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Additional Information

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• 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.
• 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
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
• The British Deputy High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position

Salary
N1,854,742.06 / Month.

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment:

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed)
• DCMS, the Nigeria network and the Digital Access Programme 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