Hubs Strategy and Sustainability Lead Specialist [Open to Tier 2 applicants]
Overview
Provides senior leadership for the strategic direction, governance, performance, coherence, and long-term sustainability of the timbuktoo Hubs component across the pan-African network.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the overall strategic direction, governance, and stakeholder engagement for all hubs.
- Ensure alignment between hub operations, ecosystem building, and timbuktoo’s long-term mission.
- Lead the governance and strategic positioning of thematic hubs.
- Ensure the tech hubs operate as an integral part of the overall timbuktoo ecosystem.
- Lead hub launch-readiness and maturity planning.
- Drive the design and consolidation of country contribution frameworks, host-country engagement models and institutional arrangements.
- Exercise delegated authority over Hubs component programme budgets and resource allocation.
- Lead the design, continuous improvement and quality assurance of startup programmes across the Hubs network.
- Enforce a quality assurance framework for operational consistency across all hubs.
- Develop and oversee the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hubs.
- Ensure network-wide operational readiness standards across the Hubs network.
- Design and establish the weekly reporting framework for the network.
- Develop and implement a structured governance framework.
- Coordinate with Hub Managers and Programme Managers across the network.
- Design and establish the network-wide operational dashboards.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing between hubs.
- Lead engagement with strategic programme partners.
- Lead periodic performance reviews of hubs and oversee corrective measures.
- Develop a centralized resource management system.
- Design and implement revenue diversification strategies.
- Lead efforts to secure funding and partnerships for hubs.
- Develop quarterly sustainability reports.
- Build and maintain a network of mentors, coaches and technical service providers.
- Manage stakeholder relationships with implementation partners and UNDP Country Offices.
- Lead resource mobilization efforts.
- Lead the structuring of partnership models for the Hubs component.
- Drive the development of strategic approaches to hub sustainability.
- Directly supervise Hubs team personnel, consultants, Hubs technical specialists and Hub Managers.
- Provide functional and matrix leadership to Programme Managers, Ecosystem & Community Managers and designated Country Office focal points.
- Lead the capability-building agenda for the Hubs component.
- Develop toolkits, training modules, and peer-learning mechanisms.
- Promote a culture of disciplined execution, entrepreneurial responsiveness, learning, accountability and service to founders.
- Facilitate communities of practice and regular convenings.
- Oversee the production of high-quality knowledge products.
- Develop market-relevant case studies showcasing founders.
- Produce periodic programme reports, lessons-learned documentation, and strategic recommendations.
- Ensure knowledge products are disseminated effectively.
- Commission, coordinate, and quality-assure research studies, scoping reports, and ecosystem analyses.
- Prepare high-level briefs, management notes and strategic recommendations for the Global Lead and senior leadership.
- Provide strategic advisory support to the Global Lead on hub operations and governance.
- Represent the Hubs component in senior technical, programmatic and partnership discussions.
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary.
Required Experience
Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services in innovation ecosystems, knowledge management and research and development functions in an African and global development context is required. Demonstrated experience managing diverse partnerships is required. Experience with capacity building programme design and delivery in multi-country settings is required. Experience navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments including governments, universities, and private sector is required.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as International Development Studies, Innovation, Science & Technology, Engineering or a sustainable development discipline aligned with GreenTech, HealthTech,and/ or AgriTech, is required. OR First level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields, with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD in a relevant field would be an asset.