Team Leader - UK-Nigeria Growth Programme

Job Purpose The Team Leader will provide overall leadership for programme delivery, ensuring the intervention delivers credible and measurable results across trade, investment, private sector development and enabling environment reform. The role will be responsible for translating programme ambition into a strong pipeline of opportunities, interventions and results. This will include leading delivery across both programme pathways: supporting direct investment and trade opportunities in priority sectors, while also shaping practical reforms that remove barriers affecting firms, investors and market actors. The Team Leader will lead a multidisciplinary team, manage senior stakeholder relationships, oversee programme performance and ensure that delivery remains commercially grounded, politically aware and closely aligned with FCDO priorities. This role is open to Nigerian and International candidates. Key responsibilities Provide overall leadership, direction and day-to-day management of the programme. Lead engagement with FCDO and other senior stakeholders, maintaining trusted, constructive and solutions-oriented relationships throughout implementation. Drive delivery across the programme’s two core pathways: unlocking direct private investment and trade opportunities, and supporting reforms that strengthen the business and investment environment in Nigeria. Identify, assess and help progress commercially viable opportunities with the potential to generate investment, trade, jobs and wider economic impact. Oversee the development of robust commercial diagnostics, opportunity assessments, feasibility work and implementation support. Ensure that enabling environment activity is practical and targeted, with reform priorities shaped by live constraints affecting trade, investment and business growth. Build and maintain strong relationships across the UK and Nigerian public and private sectors, including businesses, investors, regulators, trade bodies and relevant delivery partners. Work closely with institutions such as DBT, UKEF, BII and other relevant actors to strengthen coordination, unlock opportunities and support delivery. Oversee programme strategy, workplanning, risk management, performance monitoring, adaptive delivery and value for money. Ensure strong integration between political economy analysis, stakeholder engagement, commercial opportunity development and delivery support. Lead and motivate a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, sound judgement and problem-solving. Ensure consistently high-quality technical delivery across programme activities and outputs. Represent the programme externally in senior meetings, events and strategic discussions. Ensure delivery remains aligned with the programme mandate, FCDO priorities and the wider UK-Nigeria trade and investment relationship. Person specification Essential Significant senior experience in trade, investment, private sector development, economic g