Digital Transformation Manager

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable Nigerian nationals for the position below at the Institute’s Headquarters in Ibadan.

Position:        Digital Transformation Manager

Contract:       2-years renewable contract                                            

Location: Ibadan

Closing Date: 10 September 2026

DUTIES

A.     Digital Strategy and Leadership

·       Develop and lead the implementation of a costed Digital Transformation Strategy and roadmap for I-Youth 2.0 across Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone, aligned with the project's theory of change and the broader Youth in Agribusiness digital strategy.

·       Provide strategic advice to the Executive Manager, I-Youth 2.0, CEO, Youth in Agribusiness, PMO and Country Coordinators on digital transformation priorities, opportunities, risks and investment decisions.

·       Champion a culture of data-driven and technology-enabled program delivery, ensuring that digital solutions are demand-led, user-centered and embedded across program operations.

·       Represent the project's digital transformation agenda at donor engagements, technical forums, partnership meetings and knowledge-sharing platforms.

B.      Digital Systems and Platform Management

·       Lead the design, deployment, integration and continuous improvement of the project's digital ecosystem, including mobile data collection systems, SMS platforms, e-learning platforms, digital advisory tools such as AKILIMO, real-time monitoring dashboards and the one-stop-shop data portal.

·       Oversee the integration and harmonization of data from multiple sources—including mobile devices, SMS platforms, online systems, pre- and post-training assessments, spreadsheets and survey tools—into a reliable and interoperable digital ecosystem that supports program implementation and decision-making.

·       Coordinate with technology vendors and service providers to ensure timely delivery, system functionality, quality assurance, data security and value for money of digital platforms and services.

·       Ensure that digital tools and platforms are accessible and appropriate for low connectivity and low-digital-literacy environments, including offline functionality and local-language options where relevant.

·       Support the digitalization of Agribusiness Park operations, enterprise incubation and acceleration tracking, youth cluster/cooperative management and workforce development/tracer study processes.

C.      Digital Innovation and Youth Capacity Development

·       Lead the design and rollout of digital skills development initiatives for youth participants, project staff and implementing partners, strengthening their capacity to effectively use digital advisory, e-learning, enterprise management and other relevant digital tools.

·       Promote the adoption of climate-smart and agri-technology solutions among youth-led enterprises, working with technical teams and CGIAR partners to identify, pilot, adapt and scale appropriate digital innovations.

·       Identify, assess and pilot emerging digital solutions, including digital financial services, e-commerce and market-linkage platforms, geospatial technologies and remote sensing applications for land use and climate-smart agriculture tracking.

·       Support youth-facing digital engagement platforms, including the Youth Champions Network and Youth Communication Network, in collaboration with the communications team.

D.     Data Management, MEL and Reporting

·       Work closely with the MEL team to ensure that digital systems and dashboards accurately capture, integrate, visualize and report program indicators to support adaptive management, donor reporting and PAC/PMO decision-making.

·       Establish and enforce appropriate standards and protocols for data quality, data governance, protection, privacy, cybersecurity and digital safeguarding, in line with IITA, donor and applicable regulatory requirements.

·       Monitor digital platform performance, user adoption, utilization and return on investment, and recommend improvements or course corrections as required.

·       Provide timely digital transformation updates and inputs into quarterly, annual and other program reports.

E.      Coordination, Partnerships and Capacity Building

·       Provide technical guidance and support to country-level digital/MEL focal points and Country Coordinators in planning and implementing digital transformation activities.

·       Build and manage strategic relationships with technology partners, CGIAR centers, financial service providers, telecommunications companies, digital platform providers and other ecosystem actors to advance the project's digital transformation agenda.

·       Coordinate with the PMO, Program Manager, Financial Manager, M&E Specialist and Procurement Specialist to ensure that digital investments are appropriately planned, budgeted, procured, deployed and monitored.

·       Strengthen the capacity of project staff and implementing partners in the effective use of digital tools, cybersecurity awareness, data protection and responsible data use.

·       Document and disseminate lessons, good practices and evidence from digital interventions to support program learning, replication and scale.

F.       Other Responsibilities

·       Perform any other duties relevant to the role as assigned by the Executive Manager, I-Youth 2.0, or the CEO, Youth in Agribusiness.

QUALIFICATION

A Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Digital Innovation, Data Science, Agricultural Economics with a strong digital/ICT4D focus, or a related discipline is required, while professional certification in digital transformation, project management (PMP, PRINCE2), or data management/analytics will be an added advantage. The position also requires a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in digital transformation, ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development), MIS/data systems management, or digital innovation, ideally within agriculture, agribusiness, or youth development programmes, including at least four (4) years in a senior technical or managerial role leading digital transformation, MEL/data systems, or technology teams.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must have:

·       Demonstrated experience designing and managing digital data collection, monitoring dashboards, and information management systems for donor-funded, multi-country program.

·       Experience deploying digital advisory, e-learning or agri-technology tools among rural or youth populations in low-connectivity environments.

·       Proven experience managing technology vendors, service providers and digital platform subscriptions, including procurement and contract oversight.

·       Experience working across multiple countries or in West Africa, with an understanding of the operating context in Nigeria, Liberia and/or Sierra Leone considered an advantage.

·       Familiarity with data protection, privacy and safeguarding standards applicable to digital tools used with youth participants.

·       Strong strategic thinking and digital transformation leadership skills.

·       Sound technical knowledge of mobile data collection tools, MIS/dashboards, e-learning platforms and digital advisory/agri-technology solutions.

·       Excellent project and vendor management skills, with the ability to manage multiple digital initiatives across countries simultaneously.

·       Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights for programme decision-making.

·       Excellent stakeholder engagement, coaching and capacity-building skills, including the ability to build digital literacy among non-technical staff and youth participants.

·       Strong communication, presentation and report-writing skills.

·       High level of professionalism, integrity, innovation and accountability.

·       Ability to work independently across multiple

REMUNERATION

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested applicants should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format to IITA website: https://apply.workable.com/iita/#jobs no later than Two Weeks from the date of this publication.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women. While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.