Innovation Hub developer (m/f)

Commencement date: Immediately (limited to two years, as full time employment or consultancy)

The African Innovation Foundation is a mobilizer and facilitator for innovative projects aimed at releasing untapped and/or blocked potential in Africa. AIF aims at stimulating African ideas and perspectives within emerging industries and across diverse disciplines. AIF’s purpose is to increase the prosperity of Africans by catalyzing the innovation spirit in Africa.

AIF is looking for a Innovation Hub developer for the Soap Factory, a new hub located in a poor peri-urban area, North of Luanda. The chosen candidate will report to the Program Director of the Social Impact Program for Angola (SIPA). AIF is expecting the chosen candidate to work on the spot for a duration of 2 years.

The Hub developer will lead structuring the activities for the hub (finalize construction work, design business plan, structure key activities instrumental in building the hub community), and actively reach out to a broad range of stakeholders (Ministries, small entrepreneurs, relevant institutions, local community, external consultants) to build strategic partnerships. AIF is focusing on the following activities at the Hub: a cultural connector, a maker space focused on urban gardening, recycling and waste management, incubation for small businesses and creativity training. The position is limited in time as it is expected that the candidate will train one or a few people from the community to gradually take over the responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, organization and administrative skills; ability to speak publically; ability to manage a challenging workload; ability to work independently and as a team member; excellent writing, communication and presentation skills. Applicants must be experienced in working in a highly collaborative environment with people and institutional partners in diverse contexts and with different work styles. Applicants must be committed, focused, motivated, trustworthy and result-oriented.

Duties and responsibilities

 Lead development activities including the identification of key pilots, outreach to the community and partnerships building with local communities and other relevant partners.Set up tools and approaches to support networking within the community.

 Set thematic priorities and create a clear business plan for the AIF at the Soap Factory

 Structure construction and accompany implementation work.

 Monitor local mobilizers in the key areas of work identified.

 Oversee the organization of workshops and pilot projects, focusing on design of the interventions, as well as on setting solid incentive mechanisms.

 Establish credibility as Innovation hub expert by sharing thought leadership pieces (radio, social media, print media), and train local recruits to gradually take over.

 Work with the Program Director in setting annual work plan and team deliverables.

Skills and specifications

 University degree with focus on STEMs or Project Management.

 At least 5 years of professional experience with more than 3 years working in/on Africa in a similar role, ideally in international environments.

 Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

 Strong personal affinity with the African continent and willingness to contribute to its development.

 Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, communication and network-building skills.

 Strategic thinking with a drive and passion for collaboration and tactical implementation.

 Fluency in written and spoken English and French. Knowledge of Portuguese is a plus.

 Understanding innovation ecoystems models is a plus