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Programme Manager (Innovation and Ecosystem Support)

Job Type Full Time
Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience 7 – 10 years
Location Abuja
Job Field Project Management&nbsp

Our client, a public service institution, is looking for a Programme Manager (Innovation and Ecosystem Support) who will be responsible for driving the growth, connectivity, and sustainability of Nigeria\’s digital innovation ecosystem in alignment with the organization\’s vision to make Nigeria the foremost technology and innovation ecosystem in Africa. This role leads flagship programmes and hub development initiatives while strengthening relationships with startups, incubators, accelerators, investors, academic institutions, and development partners.

This role requires strategic ecosystem thinking, strong programme delivery capabilities, and a deep understanding of Nigeria\’s innovation landscape.

The Programme Manager ensures that the organization\’s ecosystem interventions increase the number of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs), foster indigenous technology development, and create pathways for startups to achieve market traction and investment readiness.

This role is essential to the organization\’s mandate of integrating indigenous technology and innovations in all facets of Nigerian society while building the \”Innovation Command Centre\” that positions Nigeria as a continental leader.

Responsibilities

Programme Design, Planning & Delivery

Lead the end-to-end design, planning, and delivery of innovation and ecosystem support programmes from conception through implementation and evaluation
Develop programme theories of change, logical frameworks, and implementation roadmaps that align with the organization\’s strategic objectives and national digital transformation priorities
Design programme curricula, training content, and learning resources covering areas such as MVP development, business model refinement, legal incorporation, go-to-market strategies, investment readiness, and scaling
Manage programme lifecycles, including stakeholder consultation, beneficiary recruitment, selection processes, onboarding, delivery, graduation, and post-programme support
Coordinate programme logistics, including venue arrangements, facilitator engagement, materials development, and participant management
Ensure programmes are inclusive, reaching underserved regions, demographics, and sectors while maintaining quality and impact
Continuously improve programme design based on feedback, evaluation findings, and emerging best practices

Target: 95%+ on-time programme delivery; 90%+ participant satisfaction; programme designs documented and continuously improved.

Innovation Hub & Ecosystem Support Organisation Development

Design and implement capacity building programmes that strengthen innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, and other ecosystem support organisations (ESOs) across Nigeria
Develop training programmes for hub managers and ESO leaders covering incubation methodologies, ecosystem development, community building, partnership development, and sustainability planning
Coordinate international exchange and exposure programmes that connect Nigerian ESOs with global best practices and peer networks
Establish quality frameworks, accreditation standards, and performance benchmarks for ecosystem support organisations
Facilitate peer learning networks, communities of practice, and knowledge sharing platforms among Nigerian ESOs
Provide ongoing technical assistance, mentorship, and advisory support to strengthen ESO capabilities
Support ESO infrastructure development and sustainability planning in collaboration with state governments, development partners, and private sector stakeholders

Target: ESOs equipped across all states; 90%+ satisfaction with capacity building support; 50%+ establishing sustainable partnerships.

Startup Incubation, Acceleration & Entrepreneurship Support

Lead flagship incubation and acceleration programmes supporting early-stage and growth-stage startups across priority sectors, including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, cleantech, civic tech, and emerging technology domains
Oversee large-scale cohort-based programmes, ensuring geographic coverage across all 36 states and FCT while maintaining programme quality
Design and coordinate mentorship programmes connecting entrepreneurs with industry experts, successful founders, technical specialists, and functional advisors
Facilitate startup access to proof-of-concept opportunities, pilot programmes, early customers, and market validation channels
Organise showcase events, demo days, and investor engagement sessions that connect startups with funding, partnerships, and visibility opportunities
Provide post-programme support, including alumni engagement, follow-on mentorship, advanced programme pathways, and continued ecosystem integration
Track startup progress and outcomes, including product development milestones, revenue growth, customer acquisition, investment raised, and jobs created

Target: Hundreds of startups supported annually; 70%+ achieving key milestones; 30%+ securing funding or strategic partnerships.

Innovation Challenges, Competitions & Talent Mobilisation

Design and implement innovation challenges, hackathons, competitions, and ideation programmes that mobilise Nigerian talent to address national priorities
Develop challenge frameworks, including problem definition, sector focus, selection criteria, judging processes, mentorship components, and prize/support structures
Coordinate sector-specific innovation initiatives addressing challenges in health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, public service delivery, and emerging domains
Lead programmes promoting inclusion in innovation, including initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, youth innovators, and underrepresented groups
Facilitate partnerships with government agencies, corporates, and development partners to source challenge themes, co-fund initiatives, and provide market access for winning solutions
Coordinate regulatory innovation initiatives, including sandbox programmes that enable startups to test solutions in controlled environments
Support technology-specific programmes in emerging areas such as blockchain, AI, hardware, and cleantech

Target: Multiple innovation challenges launched annually; broad national participation; solutions piloted with government or corporate partners.

Ecosystem Partnership, Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with startups, investors, accelerators, incubators, universities, research institutions, corporate innovation labs, and development partners
Develop and manage partnership frameworks, including MOUs, collaboration agreements, co-funding arrangements, and joint initiative structures
Coordinate ecosystem convenings, innovation summits, roundtables, and stakeholder engagement forums that foster collaboration and knowledge exchange
Build relationships with state governments, regulatory bodies, and MDAs to support policy implementation and local ecosystem development
Create platforms for dialogue between innovation ecosystem actors, policymakers, and the investment community
Represent the organization at ecosystem events, conferences, international forums, and partner engagements
Advocate for innovation-friendly policies and support the implementation of relevant legislation and incentive frameworks

Target: Active ecosystem partnerships across stakeholder categories; 90%+ partner satisfaction; presence across all geopolitical zones.

Beneficiary Management, Monitoring & Knowledge Capture

Maintain comprehensive databases tracking programme beneficiaries, alumni, ecosystem partners, and stakeholder engagement
Monitor programme performance and ecosystem health indicators, including startup formation, funding flows, job creation, and innovation outputs
Track beneficiary progress and outcomes over time, maintaining engagement with alumni networks beyond programme completion
Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned from ecosystem interventions for internal learning and external communication
Produce programme reports, ecosystem briefings, and impact narratives for leadership, partners, and external stakeholders
Contribute to the organization\’s knowledge management and institutional memory on ecosystem development best practices

Target: 100% of beneficiaries tracked; alumni engagement-maintained 12+ months post-programme; quarterly ecosystem insights delivered.

Key Deliverables

Regular Reporting

Monthly programme activity and milestone reports
Quarterly ecosystem and startup portfolio performance reviews
Bi-annual programme cohort impact assessments
Annual ecosystem development report with innovation outcome metrics
Partner and stakeholder engagement reports

Programme Outputs

Programme implementation plans, curricula, and training materials
ESO/hub training programmes and accreditation frameworks
Innovation challenge and competition design documents
Showcase and demo day event plans and investor engagement strategies
Mentorship programme frameworks and mentor management systems
Post-programme support and alumni engagement protocols
Beneficiary selection criteria and evaluation rubrics

Strategic Products

Ecosystem partnership strategy and engagement protocols
ESO/hub capacity assessment and development roadmaps
Innovation programme pipeline and prioritisation framework
Success story documentation and impact narratives for communications
Ecosystem stakeholder mapping and segmentation analysis

Qualifications

Bachelor\’s degree in Business, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, or related field; Master\’s degree preferred
7–10 years of professional experience in ecosystem development, startup incubation/acceleration, innovation programme management, or entrepreneurship support
Demonstrated experience designing and managing multi-stakeholder programmes with 100+ beneficiaries
Track record of delivering innovation programmes that produce measurable outcomes (startup growth, jobs, investment)
Experience building the capacity of ecosystem support organisations, hubs, or incubators
Experience working with development partners, government agencies, or international organisations
Strong network within Nigeria\’s technology and innovation ecosystem across multiple states
Experience with cohort-based programme delivery and managing geographically distributed initiatives
Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, startup lifecycle, incubation/acceleration methodologies, and venture financing
Experience designing and delivering cohort-based startup support programmes at scale
Proficiency in Monday.com, Slack, and Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge of investment readiness, pitch development, and startup legal/regulatory requirements
Familiarity with innovation policy frameworks and startup legislation
Experience with beneficiary management, CRM systems, and programme tracking tools

Must have skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
Collaborative leadership with the ability to coordinate across internal teams and external partners
Entrepreneurial mindset with a genuine understanding of founder challenges and startup dynamics
Strong programme management with attention to quality, timelines, and beneficiary experience
Outstanding facilitation, convening, and event management abilities
Exceptional relationship building across diverse stakeholders (startups, government, investors, development partners, academia)
Strategic thinking with the ability to design programmes that achieve ecosystem-level impact
Cultural sensitivity for nationwide engagement across all Nigerian states and diverse demographics

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Method of Application

Our client, a public service institution, is looking for a Programme Manager (Trade) who will be responsible for driving digital trade facilitation, export promotion, and international market access initiatives that position Nigerian digital businesses for global competitiveness. This role leads transformative programmes designed to attract foreign investments, accelerate digital trade, facilitate cross-border commerce, and position Nigeria as a global technology leader contributing to national economic growth objectives.

This role leads initiatives including international trade missions, cross-border startup collaboration programmes, market access platforms, and trade agreement utilisation efforts. The Programme Manager ensures that Nigeria\’s digital innovators can successfully scale across borders, access international investment, and compete globally.

This role is critical to achieving the organization\’s objectives of increasing digital export revenue, facilitating significant startup funding, and helping Nigerian tech firms secure international contracts and market presence.

Responsibilities

Digital Trade Programme Design, Planning & Delivery

Lead the end-to-end design, planning, and delivery of digital trade and export promotion programmes from conception through implementation and evaluation
Develop programme frameworks covering key pillars of digital trade: policy and regulatory alignment, market access and global expansion, investment facilitation, capacity building, infrastructure support, and compliance readiness
Design and implement operational systems that connect Nigerian digital businesses with trade facilitation resources, market intelligence, and export support services
Coordinate with regulatory bodies, trade agencies, and government ministries to create structured support frameworks for technology exporters
Manage programme communications, stakeholder enquiries, and beneficiary relationships
Produce regular programme performance reports for leadership and partner organisations
Ensure supported companies achieve international compliance standards and export readiness benchmarks

Target: 95%+ on-time programme delivery; significant tech firm engagement; high compliance readiness rates among beneficiaries.

International Market Access & Trade Mission Coordination

Plan and execute international trade missions to priority markets across regions including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa
Coordinate Nigerian participation in major global technology and trade events, exhibitions, and conferences
Develop and manage international market presence initiatives that provide Nigerian startups access to global funding, expertise, partnerships, and customers
Lead cross-border collaboration programmes connecting Nigerian startups with counterparts in strategic partner countries for sectoral cooperation
Develop market entry strategies and provide hands-on support for Nigerian tech companies pursuing international expansion
Facilitate buyer-seller meetings, investor matchmaking, B2B networking, and deal-making at international events
Build relationships with international tech hubs, accelerators, trade promotion agencies, and market access platforms

Target: Multiple trade missions executed annually; Nigerian tech firms supported in securing international contracts; strong presence at global tech events.

Digital Trade Strategy & Policy Advocacy

Develop and implement comprehensive digital trade strategies aligned with national export promotion objectives and economic growth targets
Provide evidence-based policy recommendations on digital trade facilitation, e-commerce regulations, data governance, and cross-border digital commerce
Analyse and leverage regional and bilateral trade agreements to maximise digital trade opportunities for Nigerian businesses
Design and deliver trade agreement sensitisation programmes, helping startups and digital enterprises understand and utilise available provisions
Advocate for policies that reduce barriers to cross-border digital commerce including visa facilitation, foreign exchange access, and regulatory streamlining
Coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies on trade facilitation initiatives benefiting technology exporters
Represent the organization at national and international digital trade policy forums, working groups, and negotiations
Monitor global digital trade trends, regulations, emerging market opportunities, and competitive positioning

Target: Contributions to trade policy initiatives annually; sensitisation programmes delivered; measurable increase in Nigerian digital exports.

Capacity Building & Export Readiness

Design and deliver trade readiness training programmes, equipping entrepreneurs with essential knowledge for cross-border expansion
Develop curricula covering international market entry, export compliance, legal considerations, cross-border payments, logistics, and international business development
Create market intelligence resources including country guides, sector analyses, regulatory summaries, and opportunity assessments for priority markets
Build internal and external capacity on digital trade regulations, trade agreement provisions, and international compliance requirements
Coordinate learning exchanges, masterclasses, and peer learning with successful digital export companies and international trade experts
Produce trade readiness toolkits, export guides, compliance checklists, and self-assessment resources
Scale capacity building programmes nationwide through partnerships with training providers and development partners

Target: Hundreds of entrepreneurs trained annually; programmes scaled nationally; high participant satisfaction and export readiness improvement.

Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement

Establish and maintain partnerships with international trade organisations, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, and development partners
Coordinate with Nigerian diplomatic missions globally to leverage trade promotion networks and commercial diplomacy channels
Build relationships with counterpart agencies, trade desks, and innovation bodies in priority target markets
Develop and advance bilateral and multilateral digital trade cooperation frameworks with strategic partner countries
Coordinate with development partners on trade facilitation programme design, co-funding, and implementation
Facilitate e-commerce ecosystem partnerships, strengthening Nigeria\’s digital commerce infrastructure, including logistics, payments, and platforms
Represent the organization in trade partnership discussions, MOU negotiations, and joint initiative development

Target: Active trade partnerships established annually; bilateral cooperation frameworks formalised; strong partner satisfaction scores.

Investment Facilitation & Funding Access

Facilitate startup access to international and domestic capital sources, including venture capital, angel investors, strategic investors, and institutional funders
Design and implement programmes connecting startups with onshore and offshore funding opportunities
Coordinate investor engagement activities, including pitch sessions, demo days, investor roadshows, and matchmaking events
Build relationships with development finance institutions, export credit agencies, trade finance providers, and investment funds
Track and report on investment facilitation outcomes and funding mobilised for Nigerian digital companies
Convert investor interest generated through trade missions and international events into concrete investment deals
Develop pipelines identifying and preparing high-potential startups for international investment readiness

Target: Significant startup funding facilitated; hundreds of startups connected with investors annually; investment outcomes tracked and reported.