Manager, Products & Practices

Responsibilities

Product design, development, deployment, and continuous improvement

• Assess and evaluate the needs of DIAL’s project teams to identify opportunities to build or improve upon existing DIAL products and services—with the goal of creating more consistent and more powerful resources to help governments and their partners pursue people-centered digital transformation.
• Work in close coordination with DIAL’s Country Engagement team to identify and scope the needs of digital policymakers and those that support them to ensure DIAL’s products and guidance are demand-driven.
• Based on assessed needs – both internal to DIAL and externally among partners – actively design, develop, and support the continuous improvement of DIAL products and services. This responsibility will require a mix of technical know-how, user experience insights, and good product management practices.
• Serve as an active collaborator in the implementation of DIAL’s products in the context of DIAL’s diverse project portfolio and be responsible for regular updates and improvements to existing resources.
• Work with DIAL’s Senior Director for Products & Practices to establish and track a key set of metrics by which to improve the effectiveness and impact of DIAL’s products.

Analysis and insights

• Create a virtuous cycle between product development and project implementation by actively documenting insights from the use of DIAL products, analyzing those insights, and translating them into recommendations and practical steps for improving existing DIAL products and services or introducing new products and services.
• Work with DIAL’s cross-functional teams to develop and execute a learning agenda aimed at building and strengthening a pipeline of thought leadership products to support a people-centered approach to digital and data ecosystems. Broadly, this responsibility will be focused on data exchange and data governance, but there will be opportunities to manage specific lines of inquiry and further develop domain expertise.

Other functions may include

• Work closely with the Products & Practices Senior Director and other DIAL leadership on resource mobilization, including proposal writing.
• Champion DIAL’s perspective on people-centric digital transformation through external speaking engagements, regular writing, and within other relevant networks.

Skillset

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, public policy, information technology, development economics, or a related field is preferred.
• 5 – 7 years of professional experience in digital development.
• Insights into the evolving trends and requirements of African governments in crafting their digital infrastructure, data, and AI policies; Demonstrated experience with data exchange systems is a plus.
• Strong networking and facilitation skills, including the knowledge and gravitas to work successfully with senior government officials.
• Be comfortable working independently, managing multiple competing priorities, and being part of a team spread across time zones.
• Be fluent in English with excellent speaking and writing skills: able to convey complex information in a simple and compelling way that is targeted to its audience. Additional knowledge of French is a plus, enhancing our team’s ability to engage with French-speaking audiences and partners.
• Be a collaborative, positive colleague who respects diversity in all forms and enjoys being part of a small but scrappy, mission-driven organization.