Head of Research & Innovation – Nigeria & Ghana

About People and Partners Group People and Partners Group provides industry consultants and experts across various regions, including Africa, the Middle East, the US, the UK, and India, serving clients from Fortune 100 & 500 companies. Known for promoting scale, innovation, and speed to market, we support talent acquisition, retention, and business growth. Our brand offers a comprehensive range of Human Resources services, including executive recruitment, Corporate Training, Salary Surveys, Payroll Management, and more. We aim to help clients concentrate on core business functions by managing their HR and talent management processes effectively. About The Role We are seeking a visionary and strategic Head of Research & Innovation to lead the development, implementation, and management of cutting-edge research and innovation initiatives across our Ghana and Nigeria operations. This role is central to driving evidence-based strategy, product/service development, and regional impact through data, technology, and thought leadership. The successful candidate will oversee cross-sectoral research, manage diverse stakeholder collaborations, and ensure the integration of innovative approaches into programs and services that respond to regional challenges and opportunities. Key Responsibilities Research Strategy & Management Lead the development and execution of the regional research and innovation agenda. Design and supervise qualitative and quantitative research projects aligned with organizational goals. Ensure rigorous data collection, analysis, and reporting practices. Produce and disseminate research findings in ways that influence internal decision-making, partners, and policy. Innovation Leadership Identify emerging trends and technologies relevant to the region’s sectors (e.g., education, agriculture, health, financial inclusion). Develop pilot projects, prototypes, or partnerships to test innovative approaches. Embed a culture of experimentation, design thinking, and learning across teams. Team Development & Collaboration Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, and innovation leads. Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., product, programs, M&E) to align research and innovation with operational needs. Build and manage regional partnerships with academic institutions, think tanks, innovation hubs, and governments. External Engagement Represent the organization at research and innovation forums, policy discussions, and with external donors or investors. Publish white papers, insights, and thought leadership pieces to enhance visibility and influence. Monitoring, Learning & Impact Develop frameworks to monitor and evaluate the impact of research and innovation initiatives. Ensure knowledge transfer and scale-up of successful pilots or insights. Track regional and global trends and translate them into actionable organizational intelligence. Requirements Master's degree in Food science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition or related field 10+ years of experience in research and innovation roles, preferably in an FMCG or diary industry. Strong leadership and team management skills. Knowledge of regulatory and quality assurance practices. Strong communication and presentation skills. Demonstrate ability to lead research agendas and apply findings to real-world solutions. Strong grasp of West African sociopolitical, economic, and technological contexts. Track record of leading innovation initiatives from ideation to implementation. Ability to work in cross functional team environment. Be comfortable with P&L. Key Competencies Strategic and analytical thinking Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills Strong project management and budgeting capability Data-driven decision-making Passion for social impact, development, or systemic change Knowledge of agile methodologies, human-centered design, or systems innovation (preferred) Benefits What to Expect Competitive salary Professional development and international exposure Opportunity to shape high-impact initiatives in West Africa Dynamic and mission-driven organizational culture