A Consultancy – Innovation Manager (Part-Time, K4GGWA Innovation Facility Part Time

Description:

• 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts to support innovators and the Facility.

Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French is essential.
• A degree in a relevant field such as innovation management, entrepreneurship, business administration, environmental management, or a related discipline.
• 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.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Proficiency in designing and implementing support mechanisms for innovators (e.g., training, mentorship, funding structures).
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment frameworks.
• A passion for sustainable development, particularly in the context of the Great Green Wall initiative.
• Knowledge of sociopolitical and cultural dynamics in the Sahel and/or African dryland areas.
• Experience of working with donor-funded projects and international organizations.
• Familiarity with land restoration and land regeneration principles in cropping and/or pastoral contexts greatly preferred.
• Familiarity with gender dynamics, value chains, natural resource management challenges in rural settings are an advantage.

Benefits:

• The Innovation Manager can be based in Africa or Europe.
• Remote work is fine, but regular travel within Africa will be required.
• Position: Part-Time (50%).
• Duration: Initial contract of 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding.
• Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience.