Program Manager, Innovation at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)

Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is an indigenous nonprofit institution that works to accelerate positive health, social and economic reforms through high-quality program design and implementation, capacity building, implementation science research and knowledge generation, as well as agenda-setting and stakeholder convening across human development sectors.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Manager, Innovation

Location: Nigeria

Description and Objectives

• The Program Manager, Innovation will support the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) in executing SCIDaR’s innovation strategy and managing special projects that drive long-term sustainability and impact.
• This includes identifying and commercializing in-house solutions, developing scalable products for client and internal use, and leading innovation programs that create new revenue streams and transform systems for good.
• The candidate will lead the design and delivery of research and innovation programs, oversee technology transfer and product/solution integration into operations, and drive business development efforts.
• This role is ideal for a strategic, execution-focused leader with experience in innovation, project management, and cross-functional team leadership.

Your Mission

• To lead and deliver SCIDaR’s innovation programs in alignment with strategic roadmaps and operational plans, integrating new technologies and ideas that scale impact.
• You will also cultivate partnerships, drive new business opportunities, and help instill a culture of innovation across the organization.

Technical Responsibilities
Innovation Project Management:

• Lead the implementation of research and innovation programs aligned with SCIDaR’s strategic roadmap.
• Manage program lifecycle: planning, execution, monitoring, and successful delivery (scope, cost, timeline, quality).
• Define project goals, success metrics, and deliverables with cross-functional teams.
• Identify and mitigate risks; adjust plans based on performance insights and environmental shifts.

Team and Resource Coordination:

• Assemble and lead cross-disciplinary teams for innovation projects.
• Ensure adequate resourcing: staffing, tools, materials, and external expertise.
• Liaise with SCIDaR’s technical and operational teams to support technology integration and sustainability.

Client & Partner Engagement:

• Identify and cultivate new market and partnership opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with clients, donors, institutional partners, and vendors.
• Represent SCIDaR at innovation forums, industry events, and strategic meetings.
• Contribute to documentation for legal, funding, and intellectual property processes (e.g., NDAs, patent grant agreements).

Innovation Culture & Program Support:

• Lead SCIDaR’s internal innovation council and support cross-functional idea generation and execution.
• Evaluate and curate ideas submitted across the organization; assess feasibility and impact.
• Support the development of ad hoc innovation teams to pilot and scale ideas.
• Communicate innovation wins and culture shifts across the organization to promote adoption.

Performance & Impact Monitoring:

• Develop and maintain innovation program dashboards, tracking KPIs, budgets, and grant metrics.
• Conduct regular evaluations and generate insights on program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Product Management & Commercialization:

• Lead the full product lifecycle—frolifecycle—from ideation and user discovery to design, testing, scale, and commercialization of SCIDaR’s in-house solutions.
• Identify and develop market-ready products by refining internal tools and innovations that address client or sector-wide challenges.
• Conduct market and user research to uncover needs, define value propositions, and inform product roadmaps.
• Develop and execute commercialization strategies, including business models, go-to-market plans, and pricing frameworks for sustainable growth.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and iterate products, ensuring alignment with SCIDaR’s mission and operational realities.
• Measure and optimize product performance through impact tracking, adoption metrics, and continuous improvement feedback loops.

Required Competencies / Requirements
Core requirements:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business, Innovation, International Development, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading fast-paced, strategic projects in high-impact environments such as strategy consulting, development organizations, private sector innovation units, or startups.
• Product Thinking: Skilled at identifying user needs, developing prototypes, and iterating solutions based on feedback and data. Able to balance social impact with commercial viability and sustainability.
• Proven experience working at the intersection of innovation, social impact, finance, or technology.
• Solid understanding of program design and delivery in the context of development or philanthropic organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in product management, product development, or solution commercialization, preferably in the technology, innovation, or social impact sectors.

Preferred requirements:

• Someone with strong innovation and technology experience, who can drive the intersection of innovation, tech and operations and challenge our current thinking.
• Experience in SaaS, digital tools, or tech-enabled solutions is a must
• Project Management: Skilled in planning backward from objectives, managing multiple workstreams, and adapting in real time.
• Execution: Driven, resilient, and solutions-oriented with a bias toward action and rapid iteration.
• Communication: Excellent writing and presentation skills; able to simplify complex topics and engage executive-level stakeholders.
• Leadership: Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity, lead diverse teams, and hold self and others accountable.
• Teamwork: Highly collaborative, inclusive, and flexible. Draws strength from collective intelligence and feedback.
• Entrepreneurship: Proactively generates and pilot new ideas; mobilizes resources for program success and growth.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.