Job Opportunity at UNDP, Innovation, Technical Ass Lead

 

Innovation, Technical Ass Lead 38116 

Background

UNDP has set up the Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Strengthening Program (Funguo Program and Facility) that aims at developing and strengthening innovative financing mechanisms and build a portfolio of SMEs with a transformative impact on local economic development. The program’s objective is to unlock innovation and investment for Impact Ventures in Tanzania, so that these ventures can contribute to the achievement of national ambitions and the SDGs. The Funguo program directly addresses development challenges related to innovation and entrepreneurship in Tanzania by focusing on three key objectives:

Capacitating women and youth lead Impact Ventures, relevant service providers in the Innovation and start-up ecosystem that support the development of these Impact Ventures and.

Bridging the funding gap for Impact Ventures to be able to access and unlock, national and international private investment and third-party finance for further growth and;

Creating an enabling environment where the Impact Ventures can thrive alongside the right policies on driving innovation, tax, and regulatory bodies.

As the ITAL, you will assist the Program Manager for the Funguo Program to execute on these Strategic Objectives, in a cohesive way to ensure that the program grows to new heights and serve clients effectively. This post will specifically lead on supporting the Business Development Service Providers to improve their capacity and hence the quality of support provided to businesses in Tanzania, as well as ensure they are contracted to provide adequate support to the portfolio of impact ventures. You will also support on innovation ecosystem events and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead on Strategic Output 2.1: A selection of BDS providers is capacitated to support the portfolio ventures from sourcing to exit: (the Facility is not duplicating existing services in the Innovation Ecosystem).
• Partnership with BDS: Ensure Funguo Facility has the internal systems/processes for identifying the required interventions with the BDS. Conducting impact due diligence, including market assessments and research to inform partnership decisions. Identify UNDP processes such as grants and services contracts that can be used to support BDS partnerships effectively and oversee the contracting and implementation by providers or BDS.
• Support the investment process: Contribute to research on disruptive technologies in emerging markets, including but not limited to scoping partners, conducting literature reviews, and composing and editing reports. Support pipeline building for portfolio ventures through innovation challenges, bootcamps, masterclasses for the Funguo Facility. This will be done in collaboration with the KM and Partnerships Lead.
• Portfolio Monitoring & Support: Monitor the portfolio to support start-up growth. Actively monitoring and maintaining relationships with existing investments, including conducting needs assessments. Craft strategic growth and fundraising plans with portfolio companies, in collaboration with Programs & Development team. Developing processes for managing the lifecycle of investments, from identifying entrepreneurs through ongoing portfolio management and support in collaboration with other Funguo Team.
• Partner reporting: Contribute to on-going reporting to partners by communicating with portfolio companies, monitoring, and verifying financial and impact performance, and drafting written material for regular updates lead by the Knowledge Management and Partnerships Lead.
• Partnership: Identify, engage new strategic partners with support from the Program Manager, and the KM and Partnerships lead, especially partnerships with impact investors at both the local and global level. Connect ‘investment ready’ businesses from startup ecosystem accelerator programs to network of investors, where the businesses fit the investors’ investment mandates and requirements therein. Maintain and form new relationships with prospective investors who have an interest in investing into Tanzanian early-stage ventures. Work with the KM and Partnerships Lead and the Comms Lead to develop appropriate events and marketing materials aimed at attracting and informing impact investors.
• Oversee development of open-source training materials: Oversee the contracting and design and implementation of Technical Assistance works being done with the various portfolio ventures and BDS providers in collaboration with the Investments Lead and ensure this is available on open source.
• Hub network: Oversee appropriate support or partnership with the Tanzania Network of Hubs and a strategic engagement and way forward in collaboration with the KM and Partnerships Lead.
• Innovate.co.tz: Oversee the health and use of the online data base innovate.co.tz and develop a strategy for using it effectively with the Comms Lead and the Partnerships Lead.
• Event support: Support the Comms Lead with TA and expertise the selection and execution of innovation ecosystem events, including BDS providers. This will include supporting the regional Innovation Week events across Tanzania.

Institutional Arrangement

The Innovation and TA Lead will report directly to the Funguo Program Manager, under the Inclusive Growth Pillar in UNDP Tanzania.

Competencies

• Desired additional skills and competencies
• A vision for the Tanzanian ecosystem growth and future;
• Ability to flexibly respond to ideas and inputs from others and integrate them into a vision and direction;
• Ability to communicate your vision to others, convince them and take internal and external stakeholders along with you;
• Deep networks and trust in the innovation ecosystem

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Academic Education;

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, preferably in Social Science, Political Science, Innovation, ICT, Economics, or related fields required.
• Minimum years of relevant Work experience, 7+ years

Required skills and competencies

• Experience of working on Social Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, Impact Investing, or Start-Ups in developing countries is essential.;
• Experience working with donor funded programmes as a Leader or Consultant and added advantage to have worked in implementing an innovation program;
• Working closely with a ‘hub’ (incubator/accelerator/ innovation space) in a managerial or capacity building role an added advantage;
• Conducting partner and client management, including developing concept notes and implementation plans, donor reporting, and client deliverables;
• Experience collaborating with high-level public or private sector stakeholders on sensitive or confidential topics;
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through;
• Passionate about working with impact-oriented entrepreneurs;
• Experience and networks within the Tanzanian Business Development Service Providers and Ecosystem Enabling Organisation (hubs) – especially related to building capacity, developing training and forging relationships.
• Fluent in English, with strong written language skills.
• Ability to develop TORs for contracting Low Value Grants, Innovation Challenges and Service contract and manage these through the procurement and award cycle.

Required Language(s)

English and Kiswahili

Travel:

Travel within Tanzania to visit Business Development Service Providers and Ecosystem Enabling Organisation (hubs), take part in conferences, trainings, and events, and possibly innovators are expected.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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The deadline for submitting the application is 05 July 2021.

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