Manager, Innovation Fund at GSM Association (GSMA)

About the Role

As a Manager in the GSMA Innovation Fund team, you will have the following responsibilities:  

 Grant Management  

• Work in a team to review and assess grant applications for funding  
• Support shortlisted grant applicants (approx. 5 per round), this will include conducting due diligence and an extensive review of their grant application (workplan and budget) 
• Prepare and present final recommendations to the independent fund panel committee  
• Manage a portfolio of grant projects from contracting to project completion, including providing tailored technical assistance (either directly or through a third party). 
• Support the Senior Managers in key reporting activities including monthly and quarterly Socio-Economic KPI reporting. 
• Manage and coordinate regular meetings with the grantees assigned to you. This will include coordination with the internal sub-grant compliance team and external fund manager. 
• Conduct regular market visits of the assigned grantees to witness the activities and the associated impact of GSMA-funded project(s) in the relevant markets 
• Manage and coordinate with internal stakeholder such as relevant program team(s) to gather their technical input as and when needed to ensure successful implementation of the project(s) that is/are assigned. 
• Proactively manage risk on the projects. This must include troubleshooting, escalating to GSMA Innovation Fund senior management and sharing lessons with the wider team including instances where things fail.  
• Support relevant M4D teams such as MEL and the marketing team in conducting market research activities and knowledge product development such as blogs, written case studies & video case studies etc. 

 Ecosystem Engagement   

• Build relationship and do proactive market engagement with the key regional and local stakeholders, including investors, local incubators/accelerators/tech hubs, government etc. 
• Build relationships with mobile network operators (MNOs) across Asia in order to build a pipeline of MNOs interested in commercial partnerships with GSMA Innovation Fund grantees, participation at GSMA Innovation Fund Bootcamps or clinics
• Actively promote the GSMA Innovation Fund at GSMA events or external events to disseminate insights, as well as to continue to position the programme in forums around innovation and investment. 

The successful candidate will report into the Senior Manager, GSMA Innovation Fund.  

About You

The ideal candidate will display the following qualities: 

• A proven track record of managing complex grant projects, with multiple stakeholders’ engagements, and within predefined budgets and timelines
• Experience in successfully managing innovation fund grantees across emerging countries. This includes experience managing risk and helping grantees pivot
• The ability to think creatively of solutions to new challenges or a changing environment.
• Ideally, an understanding of emerging technologies for good – such as how AI can be used to deliver socio-economic outcomes
• Strong understanding and experience working with start-ups in Asia, as well as networks within the ecosystem such as investors and tech hubs 
• Strong interpersonal skills, and a very collaborative approach to working with other teams across the M4D.
• Critical analysis of business models and an understanding of the path for sustainability for grantees
• Experience dealing with a variety of external stakeholders, in particular the innovation ecosystem players including MNOs.
• Fluency in English is essential