Request for Consultant: Innovation Consultant – Frontier Technologies Programme at Results for Development Institute

Responsibilities

Project / programme management

Stakeholder engagement and management

Technical input

Innovation Practice Strategy & Management

• Support the development of the strategy for the Demand-Led workstream.
• Contribute to the development of innovation methods, tools, and resources.
• Represent the Innovation Practice and R4D and FT Hub at meetings, conferences and events as required.
• Manage in-country work plans with the Workstream Lead and deliver them on time and to a high standard.
• Support management of the workstream budget
• Produce high-quality technical innovation deliverables that support the progression of the workstream project plans.
• Proactively identify and manage risks and issues and manage sensitive topics and issues with empathy to achieve preferred outcomes.
• When requested, contribute to funder reporting, for example contribute to formal Quarterly or Annual Reviews.
• Contribute to operational processes such as procurement and budgeting, as and when requested by the Lead.
• Establish and maintain a strong partnership with the FCDO, particularly the relevant country post.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key ecosystem stakeholders in country and identify opportunities to forge formal and informal working partnerships.
• Identify creative ways to develop knowledge and understanding of how emerging technologies can be applied to development challenges.
• Create crisp, impactful content and effectively adapt it for presentation to relevant audiences.
• Plan and lead engaging and productive meetings and workshops with key local stakeholders with support from the Workstream Lead.
• Support on the production of technical / analytical products such as articles, reports, tools and frameworks including effectively structuring complex analytical problems and high-quality qualitative and quantitative analytics.
• If necessary, manage local external partners to produce technical deliverables and provide direction on the content, structure, etc.
• Provide technical and quality review of project deliverables as required.

Qualifications and experience

Highly Desirable

Essential

• BA/BSc with 7+ years of experience. The qualification would ideally be in global development, public health/administration, business/management, or another relevant field. Candidates with other qualifications offering equivalent levels of experience may also be considered.
• Deep understanding of the local innovation ecosystem and demonstratable relationships established with key stakeholders in the local innovation ecosystem.
• Programme and project management experience in global development
• Experience of designing and facilitating workshops with a range of stakeholders.
• Impeccable writing, communication and presentation skills (e.g. in-person/virtual presentations, meeting facilitation, etc.) for high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience of working in a matrixed environment across multiple programmes / projects.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships with a diversity of different development actors - both country and global levels.
• Willingness to travel occasionally based on project needs.
• Candidates must be legally authorised to work in Kenya / Ghana / Ethiopia.
• Experience working in the field of Technology Innovation in low-middle income contexts.
• Experience managing components of FCDO and/or other large donor funded programmes.
• Sectoral experience in areas of climate, health, education or nutrition.
• Experience developing high-quality innovation tools and resources.
• Understanding of the innovation and scaling process and innovation ecosystems. Experience working directly with innovators/entrepreneurs and/or other innovation ecosystem actors.
• Experience with innovation methodologies such as user centered design / agile / adaptive learning.
• A professional qualification in project / programme management.