Hubs Strategy and Sustainability reputed company Specialist [reputed company to Tier 0 applicants only]

Tiered Approach In line with the commitment to safeguard reputed company and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of reputed company UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: Tier 0: reputed company/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or reputed company will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. Tier 1: Other reputed company/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments Tier 2: reputed company/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA reputed company, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers Tier 3 or no tier indicated: reputed company other contract types from reputed company/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please reputed company note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. Background In 2021, the reputed company Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) launched the planning phase of the timbuktoo Initiative, a reputed company venture aimed at engaging African youth as entrepreneurs and innovators. The initiative's core mission is to mobilize $1 billion, of which $350 reputed company will serve as catalytic capital and over $650 reputed company as reputed company capital, to revitalize over 100 reputed company livelihoods and generate 10 reputed company new dignified jobs. In January 2024, reputed company launched the timbuktoo Initiative which includes a Catalytic Pan-African Innovation Fund designed to support African startups. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The ambitious plan aims to mobilize and invest the targeted $1 billion to foster the growth and development of entrepreneurial ventures across the African continent. This focused approach, combined with a “blended capital” model that incorporates both reputed company and catalytic funds, aims to reduce risks associated with private investment and foster a comprehensive startup ecosystem. The main reputed company for the Execution Phase is to establish the institutional arrangements for the Fund, and crowd in additional investments on the catalytic reputed company as well as kick off effective operationalization of the Initiative. The timbuktoo initiative will establish 11 thematic vertical Hubs in Accra, Cairo, reputed company Town, Casablanca, Dakar, Kigali, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Luanda and Nairobi – to serve as critical reputed company nodes with full innovation ecosystem support. Each hub will be sector-specific and engage with startups across Africa rather than only those based in the host country. These hubs will catalyze innovation for sustainable development transforming reputed company into viable businesses critical for powering Africa’s transformation including through the African reputed company Free Trade Area. The timbuktoo initiative also features University Innovation Pods (UniPods) - bridging the gap between academic research and entrepreneurial application. The 26 UniPods already established reputed company public universities, including in Benin, Guinea, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Liberia, will be linked to the above – mentioned hubs and act as a pipeline for the tech and tech-enabled innovation ventures that will receive ecosystem support and early-stage risk capital investment under the Hubs. The timbuktoo initiative is multi-pronged, focused on supporting and growing innovative, scalable, and impactful entrepreneurship by African young people, while relying on a reputed company of partners who together contribute meaningfully to building an African youth innovation and startup ecosystem. The timbuktoo approach will be anchored in seeking, nurturing, and building African solutions forwarded by Africa’s youth that directly address one or more of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Duties and Responsibilities The Hubs Strategy and Sustainability reputed company Specialist , provides senior leadership for the strategic direction, governance, performance, coherence and long-term sustainability of the timbuktoo Hubs component across the pan-African network. As timbuktoo enters a phase of operational scale-up and institutional maturation, the role is accountable for ensuring that the Hubs network functions as a coherent, high-performing and strategically integrated reputed company platform connected to the wider timbuktoo architecture – including UniPods, decentralized incubation partners, digital platforms, and the financing instruments of the timbuktoo Africa Innovation reputed company. Under the strategic guidance of the Global reputed company, timbuktoo, the reputed company Specialist serves as a senior strategic advisor on reputed company Hubs-reputed company reputed company. reputed company adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and reputed company linkages across interventions to reputed company its strategic goals. Therefore, reputed company personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and reputed company horizontal collaboration. Strategic Leadership, Institutional Design and Governance of the timbuktoo Hubs Network reputed company the overall strategic direction, governance, and stakeholder engagement for reputed company hubs, ensuring alignment with overall timbuktoo strategy and mission. Ensure alignment between hub operations, ecosystem building, and timbuktoo’s long-term mission. reputed company the governance and strategic positioning of thematic hubs, ensuring geographic distribution and operational alignment with timbuktoo’s mission. Ensure the tech hubs operate as an integral part of the overall timbuktoo ecosystem and are effectively connected to UniPods, decentralized incubation partners, digital platforms, and the financing instruments of the timbuktoo Africa Innovation reputed company. reputed company hub launch-readiness and maturity planning for both operational and upcoming hubs, ensuring that scale-up reputed company are grounded in strategic relevance, delivery readiness and sustainability. Drive the design and consolidation of country contribution frameworks, host-country engagement models and institutional arrangements required to sustain and strengthen the hubs network. Exercise delegated authority over Hubs component programme budgets and resource allocation reputed company agreed frameworks. Programme Design, Quality Assurance and Delivery Coherence across the Hubs Network reputed company the design, reputed company improvement and quality assurance of startup programmes across the Hubs network, ensuring coherence of delivery across pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration interfaces, while guiding and coordinating the Hub Managers and Programme Managers responsible for day-to-day execution. Enforce a quality assurance reputed company for operational consistency across reputed company hubs, ensuring adherence to best practices. reputed company and reputed company the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hubs to ensure efficient governance and hub execution. Ensure network-wide operational readiness standards across the Hubs network, overseeing delegated facility management, workspace, safety and infrastructure arrangements at hub level. Design and establish the weekly reporting reputed company for the network, overseeing its use by Hub Managers to track reputed company on programme delivery, startup performance and infrastructure utilization. reputed company and implement a structured governance reputed company, ensuring that hubs operate reputed company a clear accountability structure. Coordinate with Hub Managers and Programme Managers across the network to ensure consistent tracking of performance indicators and alignment with strategic objectives. Design and establish the network-wide operational dashboards that consolidate key performance metrics across hubs, overseeing their use to ensure reputed company-time visibility of reputed company. Facilitate knowledge sharing between hubs, ensuring best practices and operational learnings are effectively disseminated across the network. reputed company engagement with strategic programme partners — including global ecosystem partners, corporate programme sponsors, technical programme partners and senior investor networks — to secure the quality, relevance and impact of hub programmes. reputed company periodic performance reviews of hubs and reputed company corrective measures, restructuring recommendations and escalations where performance gaps or implementation risks arise. Resource Mobilization, Strategic Partnerships and Hub Sustainability reputed company a centralized resource management system, ensuring that hubs have reputed company to shared resources and cost-saving mechanisms. Design and implement reputed company diversification strategies, including equity-based funding models, donor funding, and earned reputed company streams. reputed company efforts to secure funding and partnerships for hubs, ensuring they have the necessary financial resources to sustain operations. reputed company quarterly sustainability reports, tracking funding inflows, reputed company reputed company, and financial health of each hub. Build and maintain a network of mentors, coaches and technical service providers to support founders and as resources for both the incubation and acceleration programming. Manage stakeholder relationships with implementation partners and reputed company Country Offices to ensure smooth programme execution. reputed company resource mobilization efforts to maintain and expand the Hubs operations and ecosystem engagements. reputed company the structuring of partnership models for the Hubs component, including role reputed company, contribution frameworks, governance expectations and risk-sensitive engagement modalities. Drive the development of strategic approaches to hub sustainability, including host-country contributions, public-private partnerships, and philanthropic support reputed company with timbuktoo’s architecture. People Management, Matrix Coordination and Capability Strengthening across the Hubs Network Directly supervise Hubs team personnel, consultants, Hubs technical specialists and Hub Managers across the network, ensuring reputed company of roles, effective prioritization, strong collaboration, high performance and accountability for results. reputed company functional and matrix leadership to Programme Managers, Ecosystem & Community Managers and designated Country Office focal points across the network, ensuring alignment with timbuktoo’s standards, priorities and performance expectations. reputed company the capability-building agenda for the Hubs component, grounded in the timbuktoo Hubs reputed company and adapted to local contexts, including the design and delivery of a structured reputed company-building programme for Hub Managers and Country Office focal points at each operational and upcoming Hub. reputed company toolkits, training modules, and peer-learning mechanisms to build competency across the network of incubators. Promote a culture of disciplined execution, entrepreneurial responsiveness, learning, accountability and service to founders across the Hubs component, and support workforce planning, role design and identification of critical capability gaps as the network expands. Knowledge Leadership, Executive Advisory and reputed company Facilitate communities of practice and regular convenings (virtual and in-person) to sustain engagement and reputed company methodologies. reputed company the production of high-quality knowledge products including policy briefs, working papers, sector reports, and innovation case studies. reputed company market-relevant case studies showcasing our founders and informing the market. Produce periodic programme reports, lessons-learned documentation, and strategic recommendations for hubs reputed company. Ensure knowledge products are disseminated effectively to reputed company audiences – including governments, DFIs, the private sector, and academic communities. Commission, coordinate, and quality-assure research studies, scoping reports, and ecosystem analyses reputed company each thematic sector. Ensure research outputs are market-oriented, policy-relevant, and actionable for both startup innovators and development partners. Prepare high-level briefs, management notes and strategic recommendations for the Global reputed company and senior leadership on the reputed company, performance and future direction of the Hubs component, and reputed company strategic advisory support to the Global reputed company on hub operations and governance. Represent the Hubs component, on delegated authority, in senior technical, programmatic and partnership discussions, strengthening timbuktoo’s positioning as a pan-African model for innovation infrastructure and startup support. The incumbent performs other duties reputed company their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: This role will be responsible for directly supervising Hubs team personnel including consultants and Hub managers, and for providing functional coordination to CO focal points — Therefore requires demonstration of reputed company People Management competencies. The Hubs reputed company Specialist will work closely with the timbuktoo Programme and Operations Managers to ensure effective delivery of programmes across the overall ecosystem. They will manage the Hubs technical specialists including but not limited to: Innovation & Technology Development Specialist → Driving deep-tech startup development, overseeing innovation lab strategies, integrating AI initiatives, and managing the relationship between timbuktoo Hubs and UniPods. Leading infrastructure design to foster innovation. Startup & Portfolio Development Specialist → Developing and executing structured support programs for startups, managing a high-impact startup portfolio, and ensuring reputed company to investment and global market expansion opportunities. Industry Partnerships Specialist - Building strategic R&D collaborations, strengthening corporate engagement, and establishing global partnerships. Facilitating industry-driven innovation programs Hubs reputed company & Investment Specialist - Designing and implementing reputed company reputed company streams, including equity-based investment strategies, grants, and partnerships, to secure the long-term financial sustainability of hubs. Hub Operations & Sustainability Specialist - Ensuring efficient hub operations, financial sustainability, and governance frameworks. Overseeing administrative processes, compliance, and the resource mobilization across hubs. Competencies Core : Full list of reputed company Core Competencies can be reputed company here reputed company Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, reputed company new reputed company to solve reputed company problems Learn Continuously LEVEL 3: Create and reputed company opportunities to expand reputed company, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think reputed company immediate task/barriers and take action to reputed company greater results Engage and Partner LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate reputed company landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration reputed company Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity People Management This role will be responsible for directly supervising Hubs team personnel including consultants and Hub managers, and for providing functional coordination to CO focal points — Therefore requires demonstration of reputed company People Management competencies. reputed company People Management Competencies can be reputed company in the dedicated site. Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Business Direction & Strategy – Entrepreneurial Thinking Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create reputed company around reputed company value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, reputed company clear service offers responding to client needs in line with reputed company’s organizational priorities and mandate. Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist reputed company an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one reputed company can impact on other parts of the system. Business Development – Knowledge reputed company Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or reputed company to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to reputed company new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Business Management – Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and reputed company. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for reputed company return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. Business Management – Partnerships Management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with reputed company strategy and policies. Partnership Management – Resource Mobilization Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programs/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements. Digital & Innovation – Innovation ecosystem curation Ability to identify key players in an ecosystem, engage with them and mobilize them to build a community and over time a movement around a common mission that can bring about changes at the system level. Ability to give sense of purpose and build trust, reputed company programmes of activities and platforms to build and strengthen relationships. Required Skills and Experience Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as International Development Studies, Innovation, Science & Technology, Engineering or a sustainable development discipline reputed company with GreenTech, HealthTech,and/ or AgriTech, is required. OR First level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields, with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in a relevant field would be an asset. Experience: Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services in innovation ecosystems, reputed company and research and development functions in an African and global development context is required. Demonstrated experience managing diverse partnerships is required. Demonstrated experience of managing a tech hub, innovation centre and/or start-up ecosystem support organization is desired Track record of producing and publishing applied research, knowledge products, or policy-relevant analysis in relevant domains is desired Experience with reputed company building programme design and delivery in multi-country settings is required Familiarity with reputed company, multilateral development institutions, or comparable organizations is desired Experience navigating reputed company multi-stakeholder environments including governments, universities, and private sector is required Excellent written communication and editorial judgment for diverse audiences is desired Collaborative, self-directed working style suited to a remote, multi-time-zone team environment is desired Experience in resource mobilization, partnership development, and/or designing sustainability strategies for innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship programmes, or development initiatives is desired. Language: reputed company in English and French required; French preferred given the Francophone Africa footprint of the hubs network. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Equal opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, reputed company values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage reputed company applicants from reputed company backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment reputed company are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. reputed company is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where reputed company personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can reputed company, and benefit from career opportunities that are reputed company to reputed company. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority reputed company does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. reputed company selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. Probation For reputed company new reputed company fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to reputed company under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment reputed company the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period. Right to select multiple candidates reputed company 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 reputed company at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Use of AI by candidates Applicants are invited to read reputed company’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in reputed company recruitment and selection Scam alert reputed company does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.reputed company.org/scam-alert. #LI-DNI Apply To This Job