Principal Innovation Officer - 6 Posts at Kenya National Innovation Agency

JOB SPECIFICATION

An officer at this level may be deployed in the following functional areas:- Capacity Development and Management, Commercialization, Ecosystem Coordination and Advancement and Policy and Standards and Quality Assurance

Capacity Development and Management- 2

Duties and responsibilities will entail:

• Supervising the implementation of training programs and ensure adherence to timelines;
• Leading the design and development of training curricula for innovation skills;
• Conducting regular needs assessments to tailor programs to the evolving needs of innovators;
• Providing guidance to innovation officers on content delivery methods;
• Establishing and manage feedback mechanisms to collect input from participants, continuously improving the relevance and effectiveness of training modules;
• Identifying and recruit qualified trainers, facilitators, and industry experts to deliver training sessions, ensuring diversity and expertise in the team;
• Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the impact of training programs on participants' skill development and overall effectiveness;
• Identifying learning areas of the innovation Ecosystem that will support enhancement of innovation Capacity and skills;
• Matching the various learning areas to the respective learning environments (Learning Communities, Personalized, Collaborative learning and Project Based learning);
• Developing context tailored training curriculum(s) based on the identified needs for enhancement of innovation capacity and skills in the country;
• Designing training programs through various channels such as webinars and workshops etc.;
• Rolling out training programs through various channels such as webinars and workshops etc;
• Developing a framework for establishing linkages with startups , HEI's and research institutions to be able to effectively have access to innovators and startups in need of training;
• Supervising feedback collection from stakeholders and Use feedback from surveys to continuously improve the training programs offered;
• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and industry partners, to align strategies with national innovation goals;
• Designing and implementing programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs in the area of intellectual property management
• Overseeing implementation of policies and regulations that support the protection and of intellectual property;
• Overseeing the process of identifying, protecting, and managing intellectual property arising from research and innovation activities;
• Providing training and support to foster a culture of innovation and IP awareness;
• Annually reviewing training programs for capacity building of researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses within the innovation ecosystem;
• Designing, drafting, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing certification policies;
• Reviewing assessment reports of candidates for certification eligibility;
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the certification process;
• Collaborating with educational institutions and industry experts for program enhancement;
• Analyzing certification data and generate management reports;
• Staying up-to-date about industry trends and incorporate updates into certification programs;
• Developing comprehensive guidelines for the institutional support program aligning them with the organization's mission and goals
• Guiding on development of institutional commercialization masterplan;
• Developing syllabus for the startup training programmes;
• Conducting forums with the institutions of high learning to get feedback on proposed programmes;
• Supervising Periodical reviews of the institutional support programme to align with the international standards;
• Developing guidelines for funding of the Institutions;
• Approving disbursement of funding for institutional support programme;
• Developing of policies to enhance mainstreaming of innovation, commercialization, and startup training programs in institutions of learning.
• Conducting stakeholder’s forum on development and implementation of mainstreaming of policies; and
• Engaging with the state department of higher learning to ensure mainstreaming of innovation, commercialization, and startup training programs in institutions of learning.

Commercialization

Duties and responsibilities will entail:

Developing scouting guidelines for innovative technologies from ininnovative technologies from individuals, training institutions, the private sector and similar institutions;

• Supervising scouting of innovative t innovative technologies from individuals, training institutions, the private sector and similar institutions;
• Benchmarking on best nurturing programmes for innovations.
• Developing nurturing programmes for innovative;
• Developing various Nurturing programmes, models and curriculum for innovations;
• Developing monitoring and evaluation framework of the nurturing programme;
• Developing proposals to mobilize resources for the nurturing programmes;
• providing support and marketing resources for potential innovation;
• Overseeing the facilitation of patent applications and revocations;
• Overseeing negotiations and agreements for technology acquisition;
• Participating in transferring rights to entities for market exploitation;
• Ensuring compliance with all legal counsel and external agencies for legal support;
• Compiling and distribute reports of basics of patent law- Revocation, non-infringement and clearing the way;
• Preparing and coordinate committee meetings that evaluate patent applications and infringement cases;
• Developing guidelines for financial or non-financial provision for innovators wishing to develop a technological innovation;
• Annually reviewing guidelines for financial and non-financial provision for innovators wishing to develop technological innovation;
• Developing guidelines for funding commercialization of research;
• Annually reviewing guidelines for funding commercialization of research;
• Recommending Dissemination of reviewed guidelines for funding commercialization of research;
• Designing workplans for funding startups;
• Preparing and coordinating committee meetings that approve funding for commercialization of research;
• Compiling and distributing reports of research commercialization to be funded;
• Providing guidance on the structure of databases and storage of portfolio of commercialization research funded by the Agency;
• Supervising startup screening to establish viability of submitted proposals;
• Ensuring timely processing of proposals for funding;
• Coordinating portfolio risk analysis;
• Planning and participating in Commercialisable research vetting, screening and appraisal;
• Preparing commercializable research funding proposal reports;
• Supervising post implementation monitoring and evaluation of the funded commercializable research projects;
• Supervising Portfolio tracking and monitoring of commercializable research funded by the Agency; and
• Implementing approved actions for non-complying commercializable research projects funded by the Agency.

Ecosystem Coordination and Advancement

Duties and responsibilities will entail:

• Supervising and implement the organization and maintenance of databases.
• Instituting initiatives to streamline data retrieval processes and optimize the overall database structure;
• Implementing access controls and audit trail mechanisms to databases to foster data integrity;
• Leading the creation of high-quality and engaging content tailored to diverse audiences and mediums;
• Identifying and leveraging innovative communication technologies and tools to maximize reach and impact;
• Overseeing the production and distribution of communication materials across various channels;
• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing innovation ecosystem, identifying key players, organizations, and initiatives;
• Developing maps and reports highlighting potential areas for collaboration, resource-sharing, and synergy among different technological innovations and incubation programs;
• Facilitating high-level discussions and negotiations with key stakeholders to align goals and promote collaborative projects;
• Developing programmes that create synergies;
• Facilitating workshops and forums that create synergies;
• Developing proposals to mobilize for funding to support implementation of the programmes;
• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and industry partners, to align strategies with national innovation goals;
• Conducting thorough research to identify emerging trends and potential innovation drivers in research, business, industry, and society;
• Collaborating with teams to develop comprehensive project proposals for identified innovation drivers and foresight projects;
• Facilitating collaboration between different departments within the agency to leverage expertise and resources;
• Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for innovation projects;
• Developing framework for the various knowledge exchange networks;
• Mapping out the types of knowledge and expertise that need to be shared aligning them to the Agency's objectives;
• Designing and developing a centralized database to store organizational knowledge;
• Implementing and oversee monitoring mechanisms for specific innovation projects;
• Analyzing aggregated data to identify trends and opportunities for ecosystem enhancement;
• Leading the development of tracking mechanisms for specific components of innovation ecosystems;
• Developing framework s for the coordination of National and sub-National innovation ecosystems;
• Organizing for the Dissemination of the frameworks developed among the innovation ecosystem stakeholder;
• Organizing and coordinate high-profile innovation showcase events to highlight successful projects and products within the ecosystem;
• Collaboratng with the communication department to ensure maximum participation and media coverage to showcase impact of innovation ecosystem outputs
• Coordinating regular networking events; and
• Overseeing the assesment of the impact of knowledge exchange networks on organizational perfomance.

Start up Economy Development

Duties and responsibilities will entail:

• Developing parameters to initiate and run a presidential or any other award to harness novel innovations from the ecosystem;
• Negotiating for linkages and partnerships among stakeholders nationally and internationally to establish responsive Presidential or other award system to harness novel innovations from the ecosystem;
• Identifying potential partners, collaboration opportunities, and platforms that align with the Agency's goals;
• Developmenting of strategies to promote best practices in incubation centers, accelerators, and co-working spaces;
• Overseeing regular assessments of incubation centers and accelerators to ensure adherence to global best practices;
• Staying up-to-date about global best practices in incubation centers, accelerators, and co-working spaces and prepare summary briefs for management;
• Developing guidelines to offer criteria for offering support, funding or when initiating collaborations to support innovative startups;
• Organizing for the Dissemination of the guidelines for supporting, funding or initiating collaborations for innovative Startups frameworks developed among the innovation ecosystem stakeholders;
• Implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for specific programs and initiatives;
• Leading research efforts to identify gaps and opportunities in the startup ecosystem;
• Monitoring and analyze trends in the startup economy and innovation landscape, providing insights for strategic decision-making;
• Providing training and capacity buiding programme to enhance efficiecy of innovation hubs, incubators and accelerator;
• Coordinating in preparation of inspection, evaluation and accrediting the players within the innovation ecosystem;
• Developing guidelines for funding startups;
• Annually reviewing guidelines for funding startups;
• Recommending Dissemination of reviewed guidelines for funding startups
• Designing workplans for funding startups;
• Preparing and coordinating committee meetings that approve funding for startups;
• Compiling and distributing reports of startups to be funded;
• Supervising startup screening to establish viability of submitted proposals;
• Providing guidance on the structure of databases and storage of portfolio of startups funded by the Agency;
• Supervising startup screening to establish viability of submitted proposals;
• Ensuring timely processing of proposals for funding;
• Coordinating portfolio risk analysis;
• Planning and participating in Startup vetting, screening and appraisal;
• Preparing Startup funding proposal reports;
• Supervising post implementation monitoring and evaluation of the funded Startup projects;
• Supervising Portfolio tracking and monitoring of Startup funded by the Agency; and
• Implementing approved actions for non-complying Startup projects funded by the Agency.

Policy and Standards and Quality Assurance

Duties and responsibilities will entail:

• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and industry partners, to align strategies with national innovation goals;
• Designing and implement programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs in the area of intellectual property management;
• Overseeing implementation of policies and regulations that support the protection and of intellectual property;
• Overseeing the process of identifying, protecting, and managing intellectual property arising from research and innovation activities;
• Providing training and support to foster a culture of innovation and IP awareness;
• Annually reviewing training progragmess for capacity building of researchers, entreprenuers and businesses within the innovation ecosystem;
• Analyzing and interpreting international best practices in specific innovation areas relevant to Kenya's priorities;
• Presenting findings to KENIA leadership and stakeholders, facilitating discussions and feedback;
• Leading data collection and analysis for assigned aspects of the benchmarking process;
• supervising on provision of overall leadership and strategic direction for the innovation initiatives;
• Developing and implementing policies that support innovation and align with organizational goals;
• Fostering collaboration between different departments, teams, and external partners to drive innovation;
• Overseeing budget allocation, resource management, and ensure efficient use of resources for innovation projects;
• Leading the development of the benchmarking framework and methodology sources such as industry reports, surveys, databases, platforms, and networks;
• Designing workplans to be used in identifying \benchmarks to effectively analyze your startup development metrics;
• Supervising the activity of finding relevant benchmarks that match your industry, stage, size, and target market;
• Overseeing preparation of a comprehensive report and synthesize findings;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive quality assurance framework for the national innovation system;
• Developing and implementing quality assurance policies;
• Participating in various stakeholders’ forums to gather input for quality standards;
• Conducting assessments and audits of innovation programs and projects;
• Reviewing the reports on relevant analyzed data and provide recommendations for improvement;
• Developing the entrpreneuiral maturity framework;
• Supervising on Design of questioneer to collect information on the leveDesign questioneer to collect information on the level of entrperenuerial institutions;
• Engaging VC on high level meeting on the development of the Institutional Entrepreneurial maturity frameworks;
• Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the maturity framework;
• Developing communication strategies to promote awareness of the program within the organisation;
• Rolling out the Institutional Entrepreneurial maturity frameworks to al institutions;
• Periodic reviewing of the the Institutional Entrepreneurial mInstitutional Entrepreneurial maturity frameworks;
• Designing an entreprenueirial instituion award of the the year;
• Coordinating in providing the framework to acquire rights or interests in or to any technological innovation supported by the Agency from any person or assign any person any rights in or to such technological innovation;
• Developing tracking mechnism for the national and sub-national innovation ecosystems;
• Overseeing Implemenation of the tracking systems for national and sub-national innovation ecosystems; and
• Reviewing of tracking mechanism for national and sub-national innovation ecosystems.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

For appointments to this grade an officer must have

• Served for a cumulative period of nine (9) years relevant work experience three (3) of which should have been in the grade of Senior Innovation Officer in or in a comparable position Public or Private Sector
• Bachelor Degree in any of the following disciplines: Business Management, Technology, Marketing, Law, Economics or any other relevant qualifications from a recognized Institution;
• Management course lasting not less than four (4) week from a recognized institution;
• Fulfill the requirements of Chapter (6) of the Constitution; and
• Proficiency in computer applications.