Focus of the Role

Are you excited by the prospect of transforming developing and emerging nations through the application of technology and innovations across public services, agriculture, health and climate? Do you have experience of consulting or working in the tech sector and of leading teams to drive systemic and transformative change in an emerging or developing country?

The main objective in this strategically important role is to develop and deploy the Tony Blair Institute’s Tomorrow Partnership in Zambia, which has been enabled by a dynamic external partner. Scaling up support to governments across Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, the Tomorrow Partnership works with political leaders and governments to bring tech and digital solutions to their biggest challenges, because we believe tomorrow will belong to those who responsibly harness the power of technology for the good of all people, and to leave no one behind.

Through The Tomorrow Partnership, we broker strategic partnerships between governments and leading tech organisations and innovators to help foster environments that enable tech to deliver practical change in people’s lives. Building on work delivered to date around digital health and e-government we are recruiting a Head of Tech to lead the programme in Zambia, driving forward the delivery of the programme, cementing relationships with government stakeholders, and building partnerships with national and international tech sector actors.

This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate closely with government ministries to implement technological solutions to support Zambia’s digital transformation agenda. Leading a team of tech advisors based in-country, the post holder will work closely with TBI’s Global Tech team and draw on expertise from across the Institute to support delivery of the Tomorrow Partnership’s offering.

As a senior role with substantial external representation components, TBI is seeking an exceptional candidate with relevant expertise in digital transformation and technology, deep networks with government and/or industry in Zambia (or the region), and experience managing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Key outcomes of the role

• Identifying intervention areas for Tomorrow Partnership support, and securing agreement from the Government of Zambia on an ambitious, impact oriented strategy to guide delivery
• Own the design, delivery, monitoring and evolution of TBI’s Tomorrow Partnership Strategy for Zambia – created and staffed with engaged and results-oriented people
• Establishing effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, such as Presidents, PMs, Ministers and Special Advisors, securing buy-in for interventions and developing recurring contact.
• Tangible results delivered under the Tomorrow Partnership, including deployment of solutions to enable the government of Zambia to drive forward its transformation agenda.
• Thought leadership recognised in country/regionally/globally and contribution to our Tomorrow Partnership global offer.
• Expenditure in line with budget

Role summary

• Strategy and Planning: design, maintain and continually improve: (i) the Tomorrow Partnership country strategy; and (ii) plans and tools to roll out the strategy from one tech domain to another, across government, including in e-health and e-government.
• Government Relations: establish effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, such as Presidents, PMs, Minister and Special Advisors. Secure mandates with at least one key counterpart as regular contact, providing support to leaders to achieve results that benefit the people of Zambia and in service of our Tomorrow Partnership initiative.
• Execution and Monitoring: establish, review and maintain project goals, plans, proof points and KPIs. Serve as the focal point for the Tomorrow Parternship in Zambia, leading project and output quality control and design tools to support execution. Report and engage with Country Director, and the Deputy Global Director,Tech Team and team to drive delivery, ideate, troubleshoot and manage the initiative across TBI. Ensure expenditure is utilised in line with budget with robust management accounts and accountability established. Ensure all necessary risk, legal and financial compliance and processes are in place
• People: recruit, manage and develop a country team to report to post holder. Shape and embody a culture that drives innovation and delivery. Provide quality control of new hires and ongoing development and mentoring. The post holder and their team are expected to play key roles in the broader community at TBI and will be expected to build strong working relationships
• External Relations (non-governmental): engage with relevant external stakeholders such as tech hubs/incubators, investors, other not for profit organisations, media, suppliers and agencies.
• One TBI: the post holder will formally report into the Country Director and form part of the wider team and country programme. They will be matrixed on deliverables and work with the Deputy Global Director, Tech Team. Other key relationships will be with the Regional Director for Southern Africa, Executive Directors for External Relations, Government Advisory, Tech & Public Policy, and our Legal, HR and Finance support teams

Person Specification

We are looking for an experienced leader:

• With a relevant academic background in a STEM subject, or related.
• With significant experience working with governments or the private sector on tech transformation, such as through roles in management consulting, government advisory or industry.
• With demonstrable experience in technology enterprises or digital transformation programmes
• With experience in business operations, technology, consulting or advisory functions
• With substantial experience designing and managing nation-wide programming on digital health, e-government, digital ID or agtech.
• Who is strategic and can challenge the status-quo and develop plans for successful growth and delivery of challenging objectives
• With outstanding management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives
• Who is a communicator and influencer, from board level through to technical level and is adept at managing up and beyond hierarchy
• Who has worked or consulted 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 for development offer
• Candidates with fluency in English required

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people

We do this within two connected divisions:

Government Advisory

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

Policy Futures

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas:

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics;
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world.

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are:

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work. It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\’re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.