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

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 Senior Expert (Innovation) 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 Helsinki, Finland. 

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 serve as an Innovation Policy Expert based in Helsinki, providing direct technical expertise for Specific Objective 3 (SO3) and supporting Specific Objectives 1 (SO1) and 2 (SO2) as a regional expert on an as-needed basis. The expert will also be responsible for facilitating cooperation and for planning and coordinating Finnish activities under SO3. This role involves close collaboration with European implementing partners, national and regional African partners, the HAUS Project Manager, and other HAUS staff involved in the project. 

The planned activities under SO3 will focus on enhancing access to finance for early-stage ventures to drive digital transformation and green transition by supplying early-stage star-ups with essential capital to develop and scale their innovative solutions. Additionally, support will be provided to enhance inclusiveness and diversity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In summary, early-stage, innovative, and alternative financing mechanisms will be strengthened to offer opportunities to innovative early-stage start-ups, while technical capacity and opportunities for cooperation for financiers will be increased. Finland is responsible for facilitating peer-to-peer- knowledge exchanges and cooperation between investors focusing on market access and specialization in digital and/or green innovation.  

Key responsibilities:   

• Provide technical expertise for and lead the implementation of SO3, focusing on enhancing access to finance for early-stage, innovative, and inclusive digital and green ventures in Africa 
• Facilitate cooperation between financiers, ISOs, universities and research communities to foster ecosystem ingegration and accessibility of financial tools, including DFI, with a focus on digital and green transition. 
• Facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange between European and African investors (Angels, VCs, and DFIs) via enhancing their range to invest in African startups and contributing to building/existing investment instruments. 
• Lead and support the development and organization of a regional startup competition bringing startups and the hosting hubs to prepare pitches for the investors. 
• Facilitate knowledge exchanges and organize targeted investor roundtables, workshops and online forums.  
• Ensure diversity and inclusiveness are embedded in all activities by promoting financing accessibility for women-led and marginalized ventures. 
• Provide technical input on digital entrepreneurship and innovation policy development to support SO1 as needed. 
• Contribute to innovation ecosystem strengthening and support activities under SO2, particularly the Join Innovation Facility and initiatives aimed at fostering stronger digital innovation ecosystems. 
• Plan, coordinate, monitor and report Finnish contributions under SO3, ensuring alignment with EU and national development cooperation goals and overall project objectives. 
• Maintain close collaboration with HAUS Project Manager, European implementation partners, African national and regional counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders. 

Qualifications and skills required: 

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Innovation Management, Economics, International Development, Political Science, or a related field. 
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in innovation policy, access to finance, entrepreneurship development, or related areas, preferably in international development settings 
• Demonstrated expertise in early-stage financing mechanisms, digital innovation ecosystems, green transition and inclusive entrepreneurship 
• Solid understanding of innovation policy frameworks, start-up ecosystems, and access to finance in the African context 
• Experience working with development finance institutions (DFIs), venture capital, or angel investment networks 
• Prior experience in organization of pitching events, investor roundtables, workshops and online forums 
• Experience in partaking in planning, coordinating, and implementing international cooperation or development projects, including stakeholder engagement, activity reporting, and results monitoring 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, with experience in in moderating workshops, roundtables, or peer-learning sessions 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse international stakeholders, including, donors, public institutions, private sector actors, academia, and civil society 
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to contribute to strategic planning and policy advice 
• 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 
• Prior experience working in or with African digital innovation ecosystems or investor communities 
• Familiarity with gender equality and inclusivity in innovation 
• Understanding of Finnish digitalization and innovation policies and frameworks, and prior experience working with Finnish public and private sector actors in innovation 
• Familiarity with Finnish and EU development policies. 
• Proficiency in French, given the regional scope of Africa 

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

Location: Helsinki, Finland 

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. 

Company Introduction:

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