Research Program Director

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai’s leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, etc. DFF’s efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai’s ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture?

The Research Program Director reports directly to the Director of Dubai Future Labs and is part of the R&D Department within the Dubai Future Labs structure.

Dubai Future Labs is a leader in Applied Research and Development Innovations (RDI) in Dubai, and aims to secure Dubai’s future through technology adoption, creation, and technological transformation.

Research Program Director
As the Research Program Director, your role will include the development of the management of the research strategy and the development and implementation of the department’s annual plan. You will manage and lead the research team working on developing the local RDI agenda and the supporting ecosystem. You will set high standards to ensure that the produced work is appropriately verified and supported by studies and data.

Role and Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the research development and innovation program and lead the development of associated activities.
• Review, refine, and build on the RDI strategy, and align on the expected outcomes with relevant stakeholders.
• Define the objectives and KPIs for the execution of the RDI strategy.
• Design a detailed implementation plan building on the strategy developed.
• Produce highly detailed research agendas focusing on each of the identified pillars and research.
• Priorities research agendas based on studies, in order to generate the greatest impact.
• Execute pilot programs to assess and evaluate the proposed strategy and supporting components.
• Develop a methodology and tool to continually map, identify, interact with, and analyze stakeholders and stakeholder groups within the local R&D ecosystem.
• Determining the partnership models, terms and conditions, and engagement mechanisms with various stakeholders based on global best practices tailored to the local environment.
• Conduct a detailed impact analysis periodically to assess the financial, societal, and technological return and impact of the pilot project on Dubai.
• Develop and detail an attraction plan to attract R&D players and talent into the local R&D eco-system.
• Define the most suitable funding instruments, grants, incentives, and schemes to drive the transformation of the R&D ecosystem in alignment with global leading practices.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders associated with R&D regulations to develop a comprehensive R&D and Innovation Policy, including potential RDI sandbox regulations.
• Develop the operating model of a new “R&D Authority” with clear organizational structure, functions and roles, responsibilities, reporting mechanisms, authority hierarchy, and performance management system.
• Conduct peer review sessions with Subject Matter Experts to evaluate and validate project outcomes related to the development of the governance model.

Team Management
• You will be responsible for managing the RDI program and its initiatives. You will motivate, encourage, coach, and develop your team to achieve the delivery of their KPIs.

• You will inspire, train, and manage your team to deliver cutting-edge, evidence-based, future-focused projects and research that achieve the strategic objectives.
• You will provide final approval on reports, studies, policies, strategies, and white papers developed by the RDI team, after they have been reviewed and edited by the director of Dubai Future Labs and Senior Lab personnel.

Third-Party Engagement
• You will build strong partnerships and deep networks in knowledge with industrial partners, academic institutions, government entities and other key strategic partners.
• You will work closely with other departments to support a consistent and respected reputation as a research, development, and innovation hub.
• You will work closely with other support departments to ensure the management of timelines and workload, and prioritize needs required for the smooth operations of the department.

Why this role is important?

This role makes the biggest impact by building strong networks within the local, regional, and global platforms. To enable them to drive the agenda and initiatives of the Dubai Future Foundation. You will play a critical role in shaping the voice of the organization, and in safeguarding its reputation as a thought leader of the future. You will uphold the highest standards to achieve evidence-based, innovative thinking, and well-presented research and projects that position the department as an independent think tank.

What Dubai Future Foundation offers?

We will offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people and support shapers of the future, as well as work that has an impact not only on the organization or the UAE but on all of humankind.

You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects and work in a highly diverse and fast-paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas, and innovation.

• As a Program Director, you will hold a minimum of a master’s degree or PhD in your specialization area(s).
• You will have a minimum of 8-12 years of experience working in research.
• You will have experience designing, planning, and driving RDI research programs successfully and be able to prepare a full program highlighting areas for the greatest impact.
• You will be curious, up-to-date, and connected to trends in your areas of expertise globally.
• You will have advanced communication skills in both spoken and written English and be confident communicating and debating with a high-level local and international audience.
• You will have excellent relationship-building, networking skills and be well- connected to experts in your field.
• You will need to be able to see the big picture and identify strategic partners that will support the business direction and needs.
• You will have excellent critical analysis skills, attention to details and have a proven record of delivering high-quality work.
• You will have experience managing the work of others, editing, communicating strategic directions, getting work published and peer reviewed.
• You will have an excellent ability to read situations and people, to enable you to communicate information clearly to be recognized by a variety of audiences and levels.
• You will also have strong cultural awareness and be able to hold your own with management, experts and government officials from many different cultures.
• You will be professional and present yourself as an expert on your topics both regionally and globally.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is an additional asset.

***This role is open to UAE Nationals only