Research and Government Engagement Consultant

About 1864 Institute

1864 Research and Innovation Institute is a research and applied technology organisation based in Abuja. We build practical, evidence-based data tools with and for government institutions in Nigeria, working across digital identity, social protection, and public data systems.

Purpose of the role

1864 is scoping a set of data-for-development and AI-for-government innovations for possible adaptation to Nigeria. These span the use of AI to clean and classify survey and administrative data, geospatial machine learning, phone-based poverty targeting, and digital identity and data exchange systems.

The consultant will lead the desk research, use case development, and early government engagement this work requires. The role is not limited to a single project. It supports 1864's wider research and partnership work, with the scoping of these innovations as the immediate focus.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct desk reviews of relevant technologies and summarise how they work and where they have been applied.
• Develop clear, prioritised use cases for the Nigerian context.
• Identify potential government partners and the right entry points into each.
• Make initial contact with 2 to 3 agencies and hold scoping meetings with relevant officials.
• Run light diagnostics of each agency's readiness, needs, and data systems.
• Produce research notes, briefs, and meeting summaries, and help assemble a small field team.

Milestones and payment

The total fee is agreed with the successful candidate based on experience, within the range below. Each tranche is released once that milestone's deliverables are accepted.

Milestone	Focus	Key deliverables	Fee
Month 1	Desk review and scoping	Desk review of relevant technologies, prioritised use cases for Nigeria, a map of candidate government partners, and a short inception note.	25%
Month 2	Engagement and diagnostics	Initial contact with 2 to 3 agencies, a light diagnostic of each covering readiness, needs and data systems, and meeting summaries.	55%
Month 3	Finalisation	Final scoping report with recommendations, a consolidated use case portfolio and engagement plan, and a handover pack.	20%
Total	Full engagement	Based on experience.	N800k – N1.2m

Required qualifications

• Exposure to data science and artificial intelligence, and a clear understanding of how these tools are used. This is essential to the role. You need not build models yourself, but you must engage with the technology confidently and explain it clearly.
• A good university degree in any relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in research, policy, or programme roles.
• Strong research and writing skills, with an eye for turning ideas into clear use cases and briefs.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• A postgraduate degree.
• Experience engaging government in Nigeria.
• Comfort meeting and building rapport with senior officials.
• A working knowledge of how government operates in Nigeria.
• A proactive, resourceful approach, with sound judgement and discretion.

Working with us

1864 is a small, mission-driven team. The consultant will work closely with our directors, take real ownership of the work, and see their findings inform real decisions. We offer a collaborative and supportive environment, and where the engagement goes well, we are glad to continue the relationship beyond the initial three months.

How to apply

1864 is an equal opportunity employer, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.