Senior Manager, Office Lead (Abuja, Nigeria)

Job title: Senior Manager, Office Lead (Abuja, Nigeria)

About IDinsight

We're a global data and evidence advisory, working with governments, philanthropies, and non-profits to improve lives at scale, using technology and AI where they can deliver the most impact.

IDinsight is a global nonprofit that equips leaders with the data, evidence and technology to improve lives at scale. We partner with governments, NGOs, multilaterals, and funders to support decisions at every stage of their impact journey – from bold pilots to nationwide scale-ups. Our teams bring rigorous evidence and practical insights so leaders can make informed decisions that truly change lives. With our partners, we are pioneering the next frontier of social impact, where data and technology accelerate progress for millions. We help leaders overcome the three main barriers to impact:

• Figuring out what works
• Learning and improving
• Reaching and operating at scale

We work in multiple countries across Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support our partners with the full ‘data and evidence’ value chain – from primary data collection to data systems, monitoring evaluation and learning tools, and data science
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches
• Create cutting-edge AI-for-good products that make the delivery of social interventions and learning tools more cost-effective and scalable

Our diverse, growing team of roughly 250 outstanding colleagues operate in nearly two dozen countries around the world. Learn more about our mission, values, and principles at www.

IDinsight.org.

Joining IDinsight at this moment

IDinsight is entering an exciting new phase of growth. As demand for rigorous evidence and AI-enabled solutions accelerates across the sectors and geographies we work in, we are actively investing in our teams, deepening our regional footprint, and expanding the frontier of what data and technology can do for social impact. This is a moment of real momentum for IDinsight. We're looking for people who want to use data and evidence to improve lives at scale; who are energized by taking on problems without a playbook; and who want a hand in shaping what IDinsight becomes as we grow.

About the Role

As IDinsight's West and North Africa (WNA) region grows, we are opening an office in Abuja, Nigeria, and are seeking a Senior Manager to help establish operations there and lead client engagements while building IDinsight’s portfolio of work in Nigeria. This dual role combines the analytical and client-facing work of a Senior Manager with the Office Lead responsibilities for the Abuja office. We expect roughly 70% of the role's time to go to client work and 30% to office leadership, with office responsibilities heavier during the first 6–12 months of set-up. The role reports to the WNA Regional Director.

Senior Managers are dynamic, diverse leaders who are passionate about making a difference, possess exceptional analytical skills, and thrive in an entrepreneurial setting. IDinsight invests heavily in our employees' professional development and expects them to think critically and creatively about how to maximize our clients' social impact.

Senior Managers oversee all aspects of client engagements (with support from an IDinsight Director) in order to produce high-quality outputs, but more importantly, to drive each client to maximize its social impact. Towards this end, Senior Managers are expected to develop a diverse skill set, including establishing trusted advisor relationships with clients, mentoring high-performing early professionals (Associates) and developing expertise in a broad range of data and evidence tools.

Client-Facing Responsibilities

• Client relationship management: Senior Managers establish themselves as experts and trusted advisors to IDinsight clients. They use this position to provide high-quality counsel and support, grounded in rigorous evidence, to senior leaders in governments, foundations, NGOs, and socially impactful businesses.

• Project management, technical & communication skills: Senior Managers lead all elements of IDinsight advisory and evaluation projects, including project management, oversight of analytical processes, engagement of internal and external experts, evaluation design, and development of high-quality materials including policy briefs, technical reports, and presentation materials. Senior Managers are also responsible for cross-functional collaboration with the technical teams at IDinsight, to maintain rigour of the work.

• Mentorship of junior staff: Senior Managers are responsible for the professional development of IDinsight Associates to help them become better professionals in the development sector and achieve their long-term goals.

• Financial management: Senior Managers lead project budget design and management and are responsible for identifying financial risks for different stakeholders as early as possible. They lead all funder compliance for the project, and support the Director in managing funder relationships.

• Business development and partnerships: Senior Managers support Directors to identify and pursue new opportunities in Nigeria, build relationships with federal and state government leaders, funders, and implementing partners, and lead the development of concept notes and proposals.

Office Lead Responsibilities (Abuja)

As Office Lead, the Senior Manager will:

• Represent IDinsight in Nigeria as the main point of contact for government counterparts, partners, and other external stakeholders.

• Oversee the office administration and finance with support from the Operations team, Including approving office-related expenses and signing letters on behalf of the office.

• Provide day-to-day supervision of the Admin & Finance Lead (dotted-line reporting).

• Contribute to human resources management for the office, working with the Operations team to monitor culture and team health and taking part in hiring and staffing decisions

• Oversee safety and security for the Nigeria team, on projects and in the office: stay informed about the security situation in the country and work with the Operations and Admin teams to make sure staff are informed and have the right support and systems in place to respond.

• Serve as [signatory / legal representative] for IDinsight's Nigerian entity, working with the Operations and Legal teams on registration, tax, and regulatory compliance.

As Nigeria is a new office for IDinsight, the Office Lead will also play a hands-on role in the early setup of operations, working with the Operations team on the practical steps of establishing IDinsight's in-country presence.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to improving lives and a demonstrated interest in the use of evidence, rigorous impact measurement, and data to improve development policies and programs.

• Advanced degree, preferably in public policy, economics, public administration, public health, or business, or equivalent professional experience.

• 6-8 years of relevant work experience, including managerial experience in similar settings as IDinsight.

• Experience working with federal or state government in Nigeria, and familiarity with the country's development priorities in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, or governance.

• Outstanding interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills with senior decision-makers.

• Proven ability to lead and motivate other staff in a dynamic and diverse environment.

• Outstanding critical thinking skills and a strong grasp of data and evidence methods, with hands-on experience using statistical software.

• Prior experience setting up or supporting the launch of a new office, country presence, or operations in a new market is a plus, along with comfort with ambiguity and the ability to build structure and processes from scratch, alongside the analytical work of the role.

• Established professional network in Nigeria, with the ability to navigate government, partner, and vendor relationships in a new country context.

• Fluency in English. French is a plus, given close collaboration with the WNA regional office in Dakar. Proficiency in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, or another Nigerian language is also a plus.

• Self-starter who will thrive in a start-up setting by taking ownership and initiative.

• Intellectual curiosity and sense of humor.

• Professional development

• Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy, and they have been noted as highlights in teammates' experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, support from talented peers, and considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are provided "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen a variety of skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and a formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to use to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

• Nuts & bolts

Location

This position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria. This is a new office for IDinsight, and the role may involve a period of travel to other WNA offices, particularly the WNA Regional office in Dakar, as part of onboarding and operational set-up. The role will also involve regular travel within Nigeria for client meetings and fieldwork.

Start date

The start date can be mutually agreed upon by the successful candidate and IDinsight. We expect a two-year minimum commitment, regular professional development conversations, and the potential for a long-term career at IDinsight.

Compensation & benefits

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for and are competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer, including comprehensive international health insurance, mental health coverage, paid vacation, sick and parental leave, relocation benefits, a travel stipend, technology and work-from-home stipends, a professional development budget, and more.

Please note that, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation comparable to that of leading private-sector organizations.

Work Authorization

IDinsight will prioritize candidates who have work authorization in Nigeria.

IDinsight's Commitment to Reducing Power Asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people's age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

IDinsight is committed to safeguarding the people we work with and the communities we serve. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory reference and background checks.