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.