Overview

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

In Malawi, TBI has been supporting the Government on its digital transformation journey, supporting strategy elaboration and delivery on key priorities in the areas of agriculture, ICT and innovation, digital public infrastructure, Digital ID, and Tech Policy.

The Senior Manager – Tech and Digital Transformation reports to the Country Director, Malawi, and manages a number of team members to magnify the scale and impact of the established programme. This is a senior role requiring an exceptional candidate with relevant expertise and experience with demonstrable impact delivering public tech transformation programmes, deep networks with government and/or industry in Malawi, alongside relevant expertise in tech, proven experience in project management and the right skills, temperament, and drive to deliver in a complex environment.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will drive our work around technology and digital transformation in Malawi, leading a tech team based in Lilongwe. Reporting to the Senegal Country Director, the post holder will also work closely with TBI’s central expert advisors in TBI’s Global Client Solutions (GCS) team in our Government Advisory division, as well as Global Innovation Unit (GIU) and Partnerships & Initiatives (PI) teams to:

• Strategy and Planning: Design, maintain and continually improve: (i) the country project’s strategy for tech transformation; and (ii) plans and tools to roll out the strategy from one tech domain to another, within identified government ministries and agencies. Meanwhile, reporting to the Country Director, ensuring robust in-country mechanisms and communication channels for coordination with other TBI advisors in Malawi
• Program Design and expansion: Working with the Country Director and the Malawi Country Management Team (CMT) and broader TBI teams, identify programmatic opportunities and new projects for tech transformation in Malawi across several areas: Connectivity, Digital Infrastructure, Data & AI, innovation, digital public services, etc. Bring your knowledge of technology solutions and government delivery to craft agile, impactful, bold project designs to be carried through to implementation
• Government Relations: Establish effective and trusted relationships with senior officials in Government. Engage and build relationships with relevant external (non-governmental) stakeholders such as tech hubs/incubators, investors, other not for profit organisations, media, suppliers, and agencies.
• Execution and Monitoring: Establish, review, and maintain project goals, plans, and KPIs for Malawi tech projects. Serve as the focal point for tech transformation in the country, including project and output quality control and design tools to support execution. Report and engage with the Country Director, as well as the TBI CMT to drive delivery, ideate, troubleshoot, and manage TBI Malawi’s tech portfolio.
• People: Serve as the focal point for our tech portfolio in country, project and output quality control and design tools to support execution. Recruit and manage TBI Malawi’s tech team as needed.  Ensure the management and development of a high performing and impact-oriented team. Shape and embody a culture that drives innovation and delivery. Provide quality control of new hires and ongoing development and mentoring
• Bring the best of TBI:  The post holder and team will be expected to play a key role in the broader community at TBI and will be expected to capitalise on the wide range of expertise and resources across TBI, in particular those in our Global Client Solutions (GCS), Global Innovation Unit (GIU) and Partnerships & Initiatives (PI) team, to bring the best of TBI to our government clients

Person Specification

The successful candidate should be an experienced and successful leader:

• Extensive experience of supporting governments or large institutions to leverage technologies for service delivery, and demonstrate an excellent understanding of the ICT ecosystem, as well as general Governments’ machinery.
• Is experienced in digital and tech transformation, digital infrastructure, digital enablers, or innovation ecosystems and demonstrates a strong ability to translate technical information for a senior political audience
• Demonstrates expertise fostering partnerships between government and organisations across the tech ecosystem, from start-ups to funders
• Has outstanding management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives
• Has prior experience in developing and emerging economies, and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms, and will foster a positive spirit of collaboration between our countries and our tech transformation offer
• Understanding of digital transformation challenges in Malawi, based on hands-on experience working/ consulting in the country
• Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Ability to present information in a concise, insightful, and structured manner, both written and verbally
• Established relationships with digital transformation stakeholders in Malawi
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management practices
• Ability to coordinate with team members across multiple locations, and develop relationships with multi-disciplinary advisors

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right, if required, to close this role earlier.

Closing Date:

2024-01-23