Program Manager, Innovation

Company Description

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. Our work seeks to benefit primarily disadvantaged and under-served populations. We implement transformation programs in Nigeria and are currently expanding our footprint to several West and Central African countries. We are building a competent world-class management team to enable us sustainably achieve our strategic growth objectives.

Role Description

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.

Core Requirements

i. 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.

ii. 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.

iii. Proven experience working at the intersection of innovation, social impact, finance, or technology.

iv. Master's degree or equivalent in Business, Innovation, International Development, Engineering, or related field.

v. Solid understanding of program design and delivery in the context of development or philanthropic

organizations.

vi. Demonstrated experience in product management, product development, or solution commercialization, preferably in the technology, innovation, or social impact sectors.

b. Preferred requirements

i. Someone with strong innovation and technology experience, who can drive the intersection of innovation, tech and operations and challenge our current thinking.

ii. Experience in SaaS, digital tools, or tech-enabled solutions is a must

iii. Project Management: Skilled in planning backward from objectives, managing multiple workstreams, and adapting in real time.

iv. Execution: Driven, resilient, and solutions-oriented with a bias toward action and rapid iteration.

v. Communication: Excellent writing and presentation skills; able to simplify complex topics and engage executive-level stakeholders.

vi. Leadership: Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity, lead diverse teams, and hold

self and others accountable.

vii. Teamwork: Highly collaborative, inclusive, and flexible. Draws strength from collective intelligence and

feedback.

viii. Entrepreneurship: Proactively generates and pilot's new ideas; mobilizes resources for program success

and growth.

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

a. Innovation Project Management

i. Lead the implementation of research and innovation programs aligned with SCIDaR's strategic roadmap.

ii. Manage program lifecycle: planning, execution, monitoring, and successful delivery (scope, cost, timeline, quality).

iii. Define project goals, success metrics, and deliverables with cross-functional teams.

iv. Identify and mitigate risks; adjust plans based on performance insights and environmental shifts.

b. Team and Resource Coordination

i. Assemble and lead cross-disciplinary teams for innovation projects.

ii. Ensure adequate resourcing: staffing, tools, materials, and external expertise.

iii. Liaise with SCIDaR's technical and operational teams to support technology integration and

sustainability.

c. Client & Partner Engagement

i. Identify and cultivate new market and partnership opportunities.

ii. Build strong relationships with clients, donors, institutional partners, and vendors.

iii. Represent SCIDaR at innovation forums, industry events, and strategic meetings.

iv. Contribute to documentation for legal, funding, and intellectual property processes (e.g., NDAs, patents,

grant agreements).

d. Innovation Culture & Program Support

i. Lead SCIDaR's internal innovation council and support cross-functional idea generation and execution.

ii. Evaluate and curate ideas submitted across the organization; assess feasibility and impact.

iii. Support the development of ad-hoc innovation teams to pilot and scale ideas.

iv. Communicate innovation wins and culture shifts across the organization to promote adoption.

e. Performance & Impact Monitoring

i. Develop and maintain innovation program dashboards, tracking KPIs, budgets, and grant metrics.

ii. Conduct regular evaluations and generate insights on program efficiency and effectiveness.

iii. Prepare and deliver presentations and reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

f. Product Management & Commercialization

i. Lead the full product lifecycle — from ideation and user discovery to design, testing, scale, and

commercialization of SCIDaR's in-house solutions.

ii. Identify and develop market-ready products by refining internal tools and innovations that address client or sector-wide challenges.

iii. Conduct market and user research to uncover needs, define value propositions, and inform product

roadmaps.

iv. Develop and execute commercialization strategies including business models, go-to-market plans, and

pricing frameworks for sustainable growth.

v. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and iterate products, ensuring alignment with SCIDaR's mission and operational realities.

vi. Measure and optimize product performance through impact tracking, adoption metrics, and continuous

improvement feedback loops.