Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) is hiring a Research Lead to spearhead its research agenda, thought leadership initiatives and evidence-based ecosystem development efforts aimed at advancing impact investing in Nigeria and across Africa.The position, based in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, is a full-time hybrid role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Applications opened on May 25, 2026, and will close on June 15, 2026.
Strategic Leadership Role
According to the Foundation, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for its research and knowledge development function, producing high-quality research, publications and market insights that support policy engagement, sustainable development priorities and investment decision-making within the impact investing ecosystem.
The Research Lead will oversee the design, implementation and continuous refinement of the organisation’s research agenda, ensuring alignment with its strategic priorities and ecosystem objectives.
Key Responsibilities
The role will involve managing end-to-end research projects across impact investing, sustainable and blended finance, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, philanthropy and related sectors.
The role also involves leading flagship research initiatives such as the annual market sizing study of Nigeria’s impact investment landscape, the Nigerian Impact Economy Index and quarterly economic outlook reports.
The successful candidate will also be expected to:
– Develop and implement rigorous research methodologies for quantitative and qualitative studies.
– Produce policy briefs, market intelligence reports, ecosystem analyses and thought leadership publications.
– Build and coordinate a high-performing research team comprising interns, volunteers and external collaborators.
– Establish partnerships with academic institutions, development partners, policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders.
– Represent the Foundation at conferences, policy dialogues and high-level engagements.
– Maintain knowledge management systems that support institutional learning and collaboration.
Application Process
Interested candidates are required to submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter to hr@impactinvestorsfoundation.org using the subject line “Application – Research Lead.”
Qualifications and Experience
To qualify, applicants must possess at least a Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Finance, Statistics, Social Sciences or a related discipline. A PhD will be considered an added advantage.
Candidates are also expected to have between 10 and 15 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership roles in research, policy development, strategy or ecosystem development.
The Foundation is seeking professionals with demonstrated expertise in impact investing, blended finance, sustainable development, ESG, philanthropy and development finance, alongside strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
Technical Skills Required
Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in a range of research, analytics and data management tools, including:
– R, Python or Stata for advanced data analysis.
– SPSS, SAS or advanced Microsoft Excel for statistical and financial modelling.
– Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio or Excel dashboards for data visualisation.
– NVivo, Atlas.ti or Dedoose for qualitative research analysis.
– KoboToolbox, Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey for survey design and data collection.
The role also requires strong market intelligence capabilities, including the ability to source and analyse datasets from institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Application Process
Interested candidates are required to submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter to hr@impactinvestorsfoundation.org using the subject line “Application – Research Lead.”
The application window closes on June 15, 2026, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
About Impact Investors Foundation
Formerly known as the Impact Investing Alliance of Nigeria (IIAN), IIF was founded in 2019 as a multi-sector collaborative comprising the Ford Foundation, Africa Capital Alliance, BusinessDay Media, Bank of Industry and Dalberg Advisors.
Stakeholders are critical to the work. For this reason, IIF collaborates with them to unlock private capital for social investments in Nigeria. We are committed to eliminating the barriers to impact investing by building an effective ecosystem that supports the growth of investment pipelines and sustainable impact.
