Institute Directors - Health & Education Institutes

Role Summary

Institute Directors provide intellectual leadership and delivery discipline for Athena's research institutes. They are responsible for setting research agendas, leading flagship publications, mentoring researchers, and ensuring that Athena's work shapes policy thinking and public debate.

This is a working intellectual leadership role, not a ceremonial position.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and drive the institute's annual research agenda in line with Athena's priorities
• Lead or co-author major publications, including:
  • Athena Perspectives
  • Monthly Policy Pulse
  • Governance Insights
• Supervise institute staff:
  • Senior Researcher
  • Research Assistant
  • NYSC Research Assistants
• Ensure minimum quarterly outputs:
  • 3–4 Athena Perspectives
  • Monthly Pulse contribution
  • Governance Insight (lead or co-lead)
• Integrate visiting fellows into active, output-driven research
• Represent Athena in policy engagements, briefings, and public forums
• Contribute to grant proposals, donor engagement, and institutional reporting as required

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's minimum; PhD preferred)
• 8–15 years' experience in policy research, academia, public service, or development work
• Strong publication record (policy briefs, reports, op-eds, journal articles)
• Experience leading research teams or programmes
• Deep understanding of Nigerian and African policy environments
• Proven intellectual independence, delivery discipline, and mentoring capacity

About the Organization

Athena Centre for Policy & Leadership is based in Lagos, Nigeria.