Job Description

The Innovation Hub Coordinator plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and nurturing entrepreneurial talent. This position is responsible for coordinating the daily operations, programs, partnerships, and community engagement activities of the innovation hub. The coordinator acts as the bridge between innovators, startups, government and development partners, financial institutions, academia, corporates, and other stakeholders, creating a dynamic environment that promotes creativity, problem-solving, and the development of youth-led transformative solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Hub Operations and Program Management
Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the innovation hub, ensuring efficient use of space, technology, and resources.
Develop, coordinate, and implement a calendar of innovation-focused events, such as workshops, ideation sessions, startup boot camps, innovation challenges, and demo days.
Support the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategic plans aligned with the hub’s mission and goals.
Maintain operational documentation, including program guidelines, schedules, and procedures.
2. Community Building and Engagement
Cultivate an inclusive, vibrant, and collaborative community of innovators, startups, students, researchers, and professionals.
Facilitate connections among entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and experts through networking events and structured meetups.
Serve as a first point of contact for hub users, providing support, orientation, and mentorship referrals as needed.
Promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and open innovation culture.

3. Partnership Development and Stakeholder Relations
Build and maintain strong relationships with academic institutions, industry partners, government agencies, investors, and NGOs.
Identify and coordinate partnership opportunities that align with the hub’s mission, including joint programs, research initiatives, and innovation pilots.
Represent the innovation hub at external events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

4. Innovation Support and Mentorship Coordination
Support ideation and startup development by organizing pitch sessions, product development workshops, design thinking labs, and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing.
Match innovators and startups with relevant mentors, advisors, or technical experts.
Help startups navigate the innovation lifecycle—from concept validation to prototyping and go-to-market strategies.

5. Resource and Infrastructure Management
Ensure optimal use and maintenance of the hub’s facilities, including co-working spaces, maker labs, digital tools, and prototyping equipment.
Coordinate access to shared resources such as Wi-Fi, digital platforms, audiovisual tools, and booking systems.
Support procurement and inventory of supplies and technical assets.

6. Marketing, Communication, and Outreach
Develop and execute a communication strategy to enhance the visibility of the hub’s activities and impact.
Create promotional content for newsletters, social media, and the hub website.
Engage with media and storytelling initiatives to highlight success stories and case studies from the innovation community.

7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Collect and analyze data on hub performance, participant engagement, and program outcomes.
Prepare regular reports for leadership, donors, and partners, detailing progress against KPIs and strategic goals.
Use insights from evaluations to refine and improve hub activities and services.

8. Funding and Grant Management
Assist in identifying funding opportunities including grants, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships.
Contribute to grant applications, donor proposals, and post-grant reporting processes.
Support financial planning and budgeting for hub initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Technology, Social Sciences or related field.
3–5 years of experience in project coordination, innovation programs, startup ecosystems, or related roles.
Excellent organizational and multitasking skills with strong attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in office productivity tools and collaboration platforms (e.g., MS Office, Asana).

Preferred:
Experience working in an accelerator, incubator, university innovation center, or similar environment.
Knowledge of design thinking, lean startup methodology, or agile project management.
Familiarity with startup funding cycles, intellectual property basics, and product development processes

Core Competencies
Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
Collaboration and Relationship Management
Creativity and Innovation Facilitation
Program Design and Execution
Data Analysis and Reporting
Leadership and Initiative

Working Conditions
Full-time position; may require occasional weekend work during events/ trainings or bootcamps.
In-person work environment
Interaction with a diverse range of stakeholders including adolescents and young people, innovators, entrepreneurs and executives, development partners and government officials

Ethical Conduct and Safeguarding
BOOST has a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), harassment, and any behaviour that compromises the dignity and rights of others. All employees are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct at all times.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents:
1. A cover letter detailing your motivation for the role and relevant experience.
2. A comprehensive CV (maximum 2 pages) including contact information for three professional references.
Please send your application by 21 May 2025 to [email protected] , with the subject line:
"Application – Innovation Hub Coordinator "

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.