Haluamme vahvistaa kansainvälisen toiminnan joukkuettamme ja haemme määräaikaista asiantuntijaa toimimaan AEDIB 2.0 hankkeessa lähetettynä työntekijänä Nairobissa.

Etsimme vastuullista ja huolellista asiantuntijaa, jolla on vahva halu olla mukana kehittämässä digitalisaatiota Afrikan ja Euroopan eri maissa. Toivomme sinun olevan oma-aloitteinen ja työtehtäviin ammattimaisesti suhtautuva henkilö, joka pystyy toimimaan tehokkaasti haastavissa, monikulttuurisissa ja koordinaatiotaitoja vaativissa verkostomaisissa olosuhteissa. Työsi jälki on hyvää, etkä tingi positiivisesta asenteestasi tai laadusta. Kokemus yksityiseltä sektorilta ja erityisesti rahoittajien ja sijoittajien tuntemus nähdään eduksi. Alla tehtävän tarkempi kuvaus. Tehtävän täyttäminen edellytttää rahoitussopimusta Ulkoministeriö-HAUS välillä. Asiantuntija toimii kansainvälisten palveluiden tiimissä. 

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the fixed-term position of Expert (Joint Innovation Facility) to work in Africa-Europe Digital Innovation Bridge 2.0 (AEDIB 2.0) Global Gateway initiative, co-funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background:

Team Europe Initiative on Africa-Europe Digital Innovation Bridge 2.0 is aimed at strengthening digital transformation and green transition in Africa through enhanced partnerships for digital entrepreneurship and innovation. The initiative has the following Specific Objectives (SOs):

SO1:     Enhance digital entrepreneurship and innovation policies 

SO2:     Strengthen Digital Innovation Ecosystems for Digital Transformation and Green Transition

SO3:     Improve access to finance for innovative (including women-led) ventures supporting Digital Transformation and Green Transition

The selected candidate will act as Senior Innovation Expert providing technical expertise regionally and co-lead the implementation of activities under SO2. The activities under Specific Objective 2 (SO2) will focus on effectively strengthening and connecting innovation ecosystems and its actors, especially women entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, opportunities to scale and knowledge exchange within Africa and between Africa and Europe.

Finland is specifically co-responsible for setting up a Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) as support mechanism to strengthen Africa-Europe partnerships by accelerating innovation, fostering collaboration and scaling impactful solutions. The Senior Innovation Expert will work in close collaboration with the European consortium, African partners, HAUS Project Manager and staff recruited for the project and national Junior Innovation Expert contracted by HAUS to support the activities under SO2. 

Key responsibilities:  

• Co-lead the overall implementation and coordination of Specific Objective 2 (SO2). Support joint strategic planning, monitoring, and adaptive management of SO2 activities, including regional collaboration.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and oversight for the design, setup, and operationalization of the Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) in collaboration with GIZ.
• Contribute to the development and execution of calls for proposals, the Joint Innovation Project Studio, and tailored support services for selected innovation consortia. Prepare procurements for training and support activities as part of the Joint Innovation Project Studio.
• Provide technical and operational support for the consortia through technical assistance, peer-to-peer mechanism and investment readiness trainings to enhance the capabilities of African innovation actors, innovation hubs and innovation clusters.
• Plan and execute academia-industry cooperation support activities.
• Build linkages between European innovation networks and African ventures, fostering with the private sector.
• Engage with African and European innovation stakeholders, including ISOs, private sector actors, universities, and research institutions to foster partnerships.
• Coordinate activities with the consortium, European and national experts, project staff and donors to ensure coherent implementation and alignment with partner country priorities.
• Support donor coordination efforts and contribute to joint steering and decision-making processes where relevant.
• Coordinate and contribute to the reporting of SO2 as Co-Lead for the Specific Objective.

Qualifications and skills required:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in innovation management, business, economics, international development, technology, sustainability, or related fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in innovation ecosystems, digital or green innovation, entrepreneurship, or private sector development.
• Previous experience in managing innovation programmes or funding mechanism in Africa and/or Europe.
• Experience working with or within Innovation Support Organisations (e.g. hubs, accelerators, clusters).
• Strong knowledge of innovation policy, digital transformation, and green transition
• Experience in multi-stakeholder partnership, particularly public-private partnerships.
• Familiarity with support mechanisms for innovation ecosystem and start-ups.
• Strong coordination and leadership abilities, with experience in multicultural, regional context.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinking, results-oriented, and collaborative mindset.
• Exceptional written and oral communication in English and Finnish.

In addition, the following are considered as additional advantages for the applicants:  

• Experience in public sector project implementation and donor-funded project frameworks
• Experience in setting up or managing innovation funds of Joint Facilities
• Prior experience working in or with African innovation ecosystems or networks
• Familiarity with gender equality and inclusivity in innovation
• Familiarity with investment-readiness, start-up scaling, or venture support models
• Previous work experience connected to Finnish digitalization and innovation and startup ecosystem know-how. 
• Familiarity with Finnish and EU development policies.
• Previous experience in working and living in Africa long-term

Duration: 36 months or as otherwise agreed. The fixed-term contract is tied to the project.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Submission details:

In order to apply for this position, please send your motivation letter and CV (max. 3 pages) in English through our Recruitment portal latest on 19 June 2025.

Interview process will be started already during the application period, and the position will be filled immediately after finding a suitable candidate.

CV and motivation letters will be shared among the interview panelists.

Olemme sitoutuneet edistämään monimuotoisuutta ja tasa-arvoa työpaikallamme. Toivotamme tervetulleeksi hakemukset kaikilta taustoilta riippumatta esimerkiksi sukupuolesta, iästä, etnisestä taustasta, uskonnosta, seksuaalisesta suuntautumisesta tai toimintakyvystä. Arvostamme eri näkökulmia ja kokemuksia, ja pyrimme luomaan inklusiivisen ja kannustavan työympäristön kaikille työntekijöillemme.

About HAUS

HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd (HAUS) is a state-owned company, which provides training and development services to state administrations. HAUS is a state stakeholder unit under the steering of the Ministry of Finance of Finland. HAUS has also substantial experience on international projects in the field of public sector reforms and development having implemented more than 50 international projects in more than 20 countries.