Country Director Nigeria

About Sand

Sand Technologies is a global Physical AI company using data and AI to make critical industries work better. We partner with governments, cities and enterprises to improve how essential systems operate across healthcare, water, energy, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Our work delivers proven real-world impact. We have built AI systems that help manage London’s water supply, supported telecom network planning across hundreds of cities, and developed digital healthcare platforms serving tens of millions of people across Africa. From intelligent command centers to AI-powered infrastructure platforms, we help organizations sense, analyze and act in complex environments.

Our people are ambitious, curious and relentlessly practical. Our teams work alongside clients in the field, solving hard problems and deploying solutions that last. With colleagues across Africa, Europe, the UK and the US, we operate across the full stack - from research and engineering to deployment and capability building.

Our mission is simple: to harness AI to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges.

About the role

Sand is expanding across Africa and beyond, partnering with governments and public sector officials to deliver transformative AI and data solutions. We have deployed our flagship platform - the Health Operating System (HOS) - in more than 5 countries already. 

In Rwanda, hundreds of clinics have already been digitized, transforming rural facilities into next-generation health centers that are redefining care in Africa. Sand’s groundbreaking HOS integrates data and services to drive better outcomes - from maternal health to chronic disease management - already reaching more than 1 million patients. Designed for digital empowerment, the HOS equips thousands of frontline health workers with the tools and support they need to magnify their impact and strengthen community health.

The HOS is already operational across multiple countries, with plans to expand to 16 countries by the end of 2026, led by our Country Directors. 

This is not an idea — it’s already happening, and the momentum is accelerating. But healthcare is only one example; Sand is growing in various industries, namely water, energy, and telecommunications.

But healthcare is only one example. As Country Director , you will serve as Sand’s senior representative in the country, overseeing all operations and partnerships. You will engage at the highest levels of government, align Sand’s solutions with national priorities, and ensure the successful adoption and sustainability of our products—whether in healthcare, water, energy, telecommunications, or other sectors where Sand operates.

This role requires a leader who can build trust, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and position Sand as a long-term partner to governments in delivering innovation that drives impact at scale.

Specific Responsibilities

• Government & Public Sector Engagement: Serve as Sand’s primary liaison to government ministries, agencies, and public sector institutions, building trusted relationships that enable successful product adoption.
• Policy & Strategic Alignment: Ensure Sand’s solutions are designed and implemented in alignment with national strategies, sector policies, and long-term government priorities.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Convene and coordinate across ministries, development partners, regulators, and other actors to create an enabling environment for Sand’s solutions.
• Product Implementation Support: Oversee the in-country adoption of Sand’s products, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems and long-term sustainability.
• Change Management: Lead strategies to prepare institutions, government teams, and local stakeholders for new ways of working enabled by Sand’s solutions.
• Strategic Leadership: Represent Sand at the highest levels, shaping national conversations on digital transformation, AI, and innovation, while positioning Sand as a trusted partner for solving public sector challenges.
• Risk & Issue Management: Anticipate and address political, operational, or partnership risks that could affect successful delivery or sustainability.

Requirements - Essential

• Advanced degree in Digital Innovation, Information Systems, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, or a related field, with strong grounding in technology and systems.
• 10+ years of leadership experience working with governments and public sector stakeholders, ideally across technology, public services, or large-scale system transformation.
• Proven track record of navigating complex multi-stakeholder ecosystems and driving adoption of new products or systems at scale.
• Strong understanding of governance systems in Africa and/or comparable contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management in technology-driven or public sector environments.
• Excellent diplomatic, negotiation, and high-level relationship management skills.
• Experience in one or more of Sand’s core industries - such as healthcare, water, energy, or telecommunications - is a strong plus.
• Must be based or willing to work in Nigeria.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role with significant in-person requirements . While some responsibilities can be performed remotely, the role demands regular presence on the ground to build relationships, oversee implementation, and represent Sand with local stakeholders. At the same time, given the high degree of virtual collaboration with colleagues and partners across multiple geographies, the successful candidate must be highly self-driven, comfortable working in small in-person teams while contributing to larger efforts virtually, and disciplined in using online collaboration tools and video conferencing to maintain constant communication.

Due to the considerable amount of virtual work and interaction with colleagues and customers in different physical locations internationally, it is essential that the successful applicant has the drive and ethic to succeed in working in small teams physically but in larger efforts virtually. Self-drive to communicate constantly using online collaboration and video conferencing is essential.