Innovation and Incubation Lead at United States International University - USIU Africa

Job Summary:

USIU-Africa seeks qualified candidates for the Innovation and Incubation Lead position in the Design Your Future Integrated Innovation Pipeline Program (DYF-IPP). The Innovation and Incubation Center is implementing DYF-IPP, which will benefit students by integrating innovative ideas into projects, businesses, and social enterprises that address complex societal challenges through the provision of simple solutions. The primary objective is to generate transformative ideas across sectors, assemble a team to refine and execute them, and bring them to life. By aligning these initiatives, the Incubation Center aims to lead in fostering impactful innovations, leveraging inter-institutional collaboration, and preparing participants for real-world entrepreneurial challenges. As a Business Development Trainer, you will not only contribute to the success of the DYF-IPP initiatives but also have the opportunity for personal growth and development in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Job Description:

As an Innovation and incubation Lead, you will contribute to the successful implementation of the DYF-IPP initiatives, with responsibilities aligned to the following:

• Design and implement activities that support startups, such as workshops, start-up wars, Pitch sessions, mastermind sessions, and innovation challenges.
• Develop frameworks to guide entrepreneurs from ideation to market entry, tailoring support to their specific needs.
• Act as a mentor or facilitator, providing strategic advice to startups on product development, business models, and market strategies.
• Connect entrepreneurs with industry experts, investors, and other resources to accelerate their growth.
• Encourage creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking among incubates.
• Identify emerging trends and integrate them into the incubation process to keep startups competitive.
• Build and maintain a network of stakeholders, including universities, corporations, government bodies, and venture capitalists, to create a robust support system for startups.
• Facilitate collaboration between startups and external partners to enhance innovation and scalability
• Oversee the distribution of resources, such as workspace and technology, to ensure startups have the necessary tools to succeed.
• Evaluate the progress of incubators and adjust support as necessary.
• Assess the viability of startup ideas and provide feedback to refine their direction.

Key Skills and Personal Attributes

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, technology, or entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in innovation, incubation, acceleration and commercialization support, business advisory services, or economic development, with a focus on University or Institutional innovation and incubation centers.
• A background in entrepreneurship, business development, or innovation management is preferred, along with a track record of working with startups or leading projects.
• A deep understanding of the startup journey, encompassing challenges such as funding, scaling, and achieving market fit.
• Ability to inspire and manage a diverse entrepreneurial team while guiding entrepreneurs toward success.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build partnerships and connect startups with opportunities.
• Creative and analytical thinking to address the unique challenges faced by early-stage ventures.

Salary Scale

The consolidated pay for this position ranges from Kshs. 100,000/= to Kshs. 120,000/= per month with no other benefits.