Assistant Director- Innovation, Digital Economy and Start- Ups at Vihiga County Government

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Formulating, implementing, and reviewing innovation, digital economy, and startup policies, strategies, and programs in the Public Service;
• Cultivating partnerships to foster innovation and sustainable growth;
• Developing and recommending sustainable funding mechanisms to support innovation, digital economy, and startup core missions;
• Conducting sensitization and awareness campaigns to promote innovation and the digital economy by startups; establishing partnerships with Constituency Innovation Hubs (CIH) to create centers of excellence for training and work execution;
• Coordinating research and development on emerging technological issues;
• Establishing Sub-County/Ward-based incubation programs;
• Engaging in research and innovation activities regarding technology-enabled jobs and the future of work;
• Recruiting, training, and managing digital workers or digitally enabled workers registered on the County Ajira Digital platform;
• Coordinating Vihiga County Startup Stakeholder engagement;
• Organizing exposure of the Vihiga Startup ecosystem to global innovation forums;
• Establishing seed funding and grant mechanisms;
• Implementing policy interventions for the Vihiga Startup ecosystem;
• Providing resources and support to startups and small businesses, significantly contributing to promoting digital entrepreneurship and innovation in Vihiga;
• Developing innovation, digital economy, and Startup training programs and resources to teach various aspects of innovation, digital economy, and Startups to the youth;
• Delivering training sessions to individuals or groups, either in-person or through remote methods, covering basic and advanced topics in innovation and Startups;
• Collaborating with other trainers, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to ensure the training program meets organizational and learner needs;
• Monitoring and evaluating innovation, digital economy, and Startup programs and policies;
• Preparing innovation, digital economy, and Startup reports while adhering to professional standards and guidance;
• Developing proposals for Chief Officer approval to source funding from donors and other organizations to sustain innovation, digital economy, and Startup activities in the county;
• Performing any other duties as assigned by the relevant Chief Officer.

Requirements for Appointment:

• Be a Kenyan citizen;
• Served in the grade of Senior Principal Investment, Industries, and Research Officer Job Group N for a minimum of three (3) years or in any comparable and relevant position in the Public Service or Public Sector;
• Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Business Administration, Business Innovation and Technology/Management, Entrepreneurship, Statistics, Economics, Project Planning and Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information systems, Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, Electronics, Metallurgy, Aeronautical Agriculture) from a recognized institution or its equivalent;
• A master’s degree in any of the respective fields from a recognized institution will be an added advantage;
• Attended Senior Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from Kenya School of Government or any other recognized institution;
• Certificate in Computer applications from a recognized institution;
• Possess good leadership and interpersonal communication skills;
• Have knowledge of innovation, digital economy, and Startup related legislations and other statutes;
• Demonstrate a high degree of professional and technical competence;
• Possess solid analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Must satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.