Request for Proposal Extension, August 2022-Consultancy for an Innovation Lab Lead at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Key Responsibilities

• Refine and iterate the innovation lab strategy to achieve outcomes in building and validating business models with scalable innovations.
• Develop and manage an end-to-end cycle of an acceleration and support programme that will enable participants to confirm their innovation's product-market fit
• Responsible for the onboarding and day-to-day operations of workshops, virtual sessions and other capacity-building sessions
• Define and implement tailored curricula and learning journeys for the portfolio of innovations
• Directly work with selected innovators/entrepreneurs/businesses to support their performance and growth.
• Collaborate with the Enterprise Development and the Renewable Energy teams and develop a network of coaches and mentors to provide support to innovators.
• Network and build effective linkages with relevant stakeholders in the clean energy ecosystem, including donors, incubators, and accelerators.

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to lead, accomplish, and submit the following deliverables within the agreed timeframe and budget.

Build innovation lab business support structures. A clear and developed curriculum defining the business support and engagement structure to use for all contracted parties. This will include

• Refinement of the innovation lab offerings
  • Development of a milestone-based capacity-building plan for each investee in the innovation funding cohort
• Development of TORs for any needed specialized support for drafted partners
• Innovation Lab budget and forecasts
• Coordination and delivery of one-to-one business coaching and mentoring of the investees,
• Establish the newly proposed innovation services; identify, negotiate, and onboard a broad group of partners who can provide complementary capabilities across the identified development paths.

The success of this resource will be demonstrated by ensuring innovations are supported during the fund, but that these innovations can obtain further funding, access larger markets and demonstrate direct benefits to beneficiaries following graduation from the fund.

Key qualifications, experience and competencies

• Master's degree in business, renewable energy, or related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in business incubation and acceleration, management consulting, or equivalent.
• Evidence of support to innovators, the introduction of innovation/innovative practices as an innovation manager or equivalent.
• Exposure to a range of business incubation models, especially in developing countries and emerging markets and knowledge about international best practices.
• A good understanding of energy and climate-related issues in sub-Sahara Africa, with an appreciation of the technical aspects of the energy and climate technology space.
• Practical experience working with business enterprises and providing training and capacity-building services.
• A leader and team player characterized by strong analytical skills, sharp critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, with a good display of broad, exploratory, and structured thinking.
• Effective project management abilities.
• Tenacity to develop ideas independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact with a broad set of businesses and stakeholders at the highest levels.
• High personal standards for the quality of execution with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English and fluency in French would be an added advantage.

Application

AECF invites qualified consultants/firms to send a proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, clearly marked “CONSULTANCY FOR AN INNOVATION LAB LEAD

’’ to be received no later than 7th September by 5.00 pm East Africa Time (GMT +3) addressed to the AECF, Procurement Department. All clarifications and or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org