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

Reference number: 202464
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station:
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises.

Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry).

Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

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

Overview

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

Skills:

• 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

Desirable Attributes 

• 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.

Education, knowledge and experience

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:
oAt least 5 years of experience in innovation support, entrepreneurship, business development, or environmental program management.
oDemonstrated ability to manage complex projects with diverse stakeholders.
oFamiliarity with innovation ecosystems in Africa.
Skills:
oStrong administrative and organizational skills.
oExcellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
oProficiency in designing and implementing support mechanisms for innovators (e.g., training, mentorship, funding structures).
oExperience with monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment frameworks

Desirable Attributes

?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.

Terms and conditions

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.

Application process

The application deadline is 15 Jan 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

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