Background
UNDP Tanzania has implemented a systematic approach to its development initiatives, restructuring its operational framework through a portfolio strategy. This strategic shift aims to facilitate a holistic view of intended impacts and foster a coherent and integrated approach towards their realization. Among the portfolios established is the Youth Catalyst Portfolio, dedicated to empowering youth as key drivers of national development across various domains. One of the anchor initiatives within this portfolio is the FUNGUO Innovation Programme, which aims to stimulate innovation, investment, and impact by supporting youth-led startups and early-stage innovative businesses.
The FUNGUO programme is committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tanzania through an integrated approach aimed at nurturing impact-driven startups and innovative Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). By strategically addressing obstacles within the innovation ecosystem, FUNGUO seeks to create an empowering environment for innovators and entrepreneurs. The program's theory of impact posits that supporting and scaling startups and innovative MSMEs will not only generate jobs, particularly for women and youth, but also enhance income, leading to quality livelihoods and fostering sustainable and inclusive development.
Co-funded by the European Union (through the BEGIN Programme), the British Government (through the Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships, ATIP) and UNDP, FUNGUO is implemented by UNDP Tanzania in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). This collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach ensures a comprehensive and impactful intervention in Tanzania's innovation ecosystem. Working closely with the Tanzanian Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) and other government agencies, FUNGUO aims to make a significant contribution to the country's sustainable development goals by fostering a supportive environment for startups and innovative MSMEs.
The program's overarching vision is to create lasting change by not only addressing existing challenges but also by laying the groundwork for a thriving innovation landscape that aligns with Tanzania's developmental aspirations. FUNGUO's collaborative efforts with key partners underscore its commitment to catalysing positive and sustainable impacts, making it a vital player in the country's journey towards innovation-led growth and inclusive development.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Innovation & Technical Assistance Analyst will spearhead FUNGUO Innovation Programme's efforts to catalyze the growth of startups by providing strategic technical assistance and fostering an enabling environment for innovation. This role involves close collaboration with Enterprise Support Organizations, government agencies, higher-learning institutions, and other stakeholders to enhance the quality of business development services and contribute to the development of policies that support the innovation ecosystem in Tanzania. S/he will be expected to devise innovative strategies and interventions to support the FUNGUO Investees portfolio, collaborate with and support a wide range of enterprise support organizations (ESOs) and lead the implementation of ongoing and new initiatives in partnership with various innovation ecosystem actors.
Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, the Innovation & Technical Assistance Analyst will be responsible for the following:
Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Develop and execute strategies to support startups, innovation enablers, and other stakeholders in Tanzania;
- Collaborate with relevant partners to identify opportunities and challenges within the startup ecosystem and formulate targeted interventions.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
- Provide technical assistance and mentorship to FUNGUO investees on various aspects of business development, including but not limited to market research, product development, financial management, Information and Learning sessions, Induction workshop, Investor readiness programmes, scaling strategies, etc, in partnership with relevant partner innovation enablers;
- Design and deliver capacity-building programs, workshops, and training sessions for startups, innovation enablers, and other stakeholders;
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and learning among ecosystem players.
Strengthening the Tanzanian Enterprise Support Organization ecosystem
- Build and maintain relationships with Enterprise Support Organizations to enhance the quality and reach of business development services;
- Provide expert guidance to the team on trends and best practices in supporting enterprise support organizations;
- Design in implementing initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of and services offered by enterprise support organizations;
- Lead in implementing initiatives aimed at supporting ESOs to get more organized and develop a vibrant community of practice.
Engagement with Higher Learning Institutions
- Collaborate with higher-learning institutions to identify research and innovation opportunities with commercial potential;
- Support the commercialization of research findings and facilitate partnerships between academia, industry, and startups;
- Lead the implementation of the #YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowships aimed at enabling HLIs students and fresh graduates to start and grow businesses;
- Support initiatives that empower students and young graduates to become entrepreneurs and job creators.
Partnerships & Resource Mobilization
- Work with the Programme Manager, the Partnerships Advisor and the wider programme and UNDP Team in establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships for the programme and UNDP;
- Occasionally represent the Programme and UNDP in various forums and build a network of partners and stakeholders committed to fostering innovation in Tanzania;
- Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by coming up with viable and innovative ideas that contribute to the overall objectives of UNDP and the Youth Catalyst Portfolio, and work with the team in co-creating interventions responding to emerging opportunities.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Contributing to the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of FUNGUO Innovation Programme's initiatives;
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of technical assistance initiatives;
- Preparing regular reports and updates on program activities, outcomes, and lessons learned for internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure knowledge management and dissemination
- Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the office goals and activities;
- Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories;
- Work with the other colleagues to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.
Institutional Arrangement
The Innovation & Technical Assistance Analyst will be an integral part of the UNDP’s Youth Catalyst Portfolio focusing on the FUNGUO Innovation Programme and reporting to the FUNGUO Programme Manager.
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Technical and Cross-functional Competencies:
- Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system;
- Digital & Innovation: Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making;
- Business Management: Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;
- Business Management: Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical in line with principles of accountability and integrity;
- Digital & Innovation: Facilitation of digital innovation: Ability to facilitate groups and individuals through a digital innovation process;
- Partnership management: Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements;
- Partnership Management: Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Economics, Innovation Management, or a related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in a leadership role within the innovation ecosystem, preferably in Tanzania or in a similar context to Tanzania.
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of developing and implementing successful technical assistance programs;
- Strong understanding/experience of the legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks affecting startups and innovation;
- Track record of running a venture building or acceleration programme in Tanzania or East Africa.
Desired Skills:
- Experience in project proposal writing and/or resource mobilization;
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills;
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team and manage multiple projects simultaneously;
- Track record in stakeholders’ engagement in private, public and development partners’ circles;
- Past work experience with a UN agency and/or international organization in Tanzania is considered an asset.
Required Language(s):
- Strong communication skills (written and oral) in both English and Swahili is required;
- Knowledge of an additional international language will be considered as an asset.
