The Innovation Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of the Innovation Facility under the Knowledge for Great Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) initiative and report to the Head of the Facility. The Innovation Facility supports promising, scalable innovations that accelerate sustainable land management and livelihood strategies within the Great Green Wall area. This part-time position (50%) has three objectives: ensuring effective administration, innovation support, and granted engagement to achieve the facility’s objectives. The successful candidate will be a highly organized, bilingual professional (English and French) with a proven track record in innovation management, entrepreneurship, and administration. They will collaborate with a diverse network of stakeholders and drive the operational excellence needed to support transformative initiatives in the Great Green Wall Area and, eventually, across Africa’s drylands.
Duties and responsibilities
Operational Management
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Innovation Facility, including managing timelines, budgets, and administrative processes.
Organize and facilitate biannual innovation competitions, ensuring seamless application processes and adherence to selection criteria.
Manage the transfer of awards in strict accordance with EU and recipient country guidelines.
Liaise with the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Innovation Facility Advisory Council to implement recommendations and secure appropriate support mechanisms for grantees.
Develop and implement communication and publicity initiatives in collaboration with the communications consultant of K4GGWA, where appropriate, the delegations of the European Union in Great Green Wall countries.
Innovation Support
Provide tailored support to grantees, including coordinating trainings, mentorship, arrangements for eventual consultancy services, and other targeted interventions.
Develop and maintain relationships with innovators and field agents, ensuring continuous engagement and capacity building.
Identify challenges faced by grantees and work collaboratively to propose solutions and growth strategies.
Stakeholder Engagement
Expand and manage a robust network of field agents, advisors, and partners, ensuring strong ties with the private sector, NGOs, governments, and international organizations.
Foster collaboration with other innovation support projects by helping to build and operationalize the Green African Drylands Innovation Hub (GADIH).
Engage organisations federating and/or promoting the interests of rural youths and women
Monitoring and Reporting
Track progress of supported innovations
Under the guidance of the Head of the Innovation Facility, prepare detailed reports, presentations, and updates for the PMU, the EU and its Delegations, other stakeholders, and the advisory councils.
Collect and analyze data to assess the impact of funded initiatives, help successful grantees secure additional support,and inform future programming.
Resource Mobilization
Contributing to resource mobilization efforts to support innovators and the Facility
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Bilingual Proficiency: Fluency in English and French is essential.
Educational Background: A degree in a relevant field such as innovation management, entrepreneurship, business administration, environmental management, or a related discipline.
Professional Experience:
At least 5 years of experience in innovation support, entrepreneurship, business development, or environmental program management.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with diverse stakeholders.
Familiarity with innovation ecosystems in Africa.
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