Innоvаtіve Industries Development Specialist

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) was designed to foster Ukrainian economic resilience in the face of Russia`s invasions. ERA supports displaced businesses and persons, and the newly liberated areas of Ukraine, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods and capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities; and local institutions to rebuild a resilient post-war economy. Also, ERA is now one of the implementers of a U.S. government interagency Agricultural Resilience Initiative (AGRI) to bolster Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and to help alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by Putin`s brutal war on Ukraine, and USAID`s Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), focusing on keeping and creating jobs and helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) survive and grow.

ERA`s objective is to improve Ukraine`s economic resilience in response to Russia`s aggression, including the expanded invasion that began on February 24, 2022, which has disrupted critical market linkages, catalyzed the economic decline of previously dominant industries, and caused massive population disruption. ERA`s focus is to support Ukrainians forced to flee eastern Ukraine.

The activity aims to improve Ukraine`s economic resilience, specifically those Ukrainians impacted by Russia`s expanded invasion, by accomplishing the following objectives:

1) provide assistance to stabilize the economy of Ukraine;

2) support the sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and

3) build confidence in the future of the Ukrainian economy.

Now, ERA is looking to extend the work in the innovative industries (including, but not limited to, support for the following businesses):

-               Product-based IT companies and startups – not including traditional /outsourcing type IT businesses

-               Industry 4.0 product manufacturers and developers (IoT, smart products, etc.)

-               Companies with a significant level of novelty and innovativeness that do not fall into the previous categories

About the job

The Innovative Industries Development Specialist will:

- provide analytical and coordination support in conducting a comprehensive stakeholder mapping and stakeholder interest analysis.

- help build the pipeline of promising innovative companies and startups in Ukraine.

- provide analytical support in elaborating potential projects which can help such promising Ukrainian companies and startups grow and stay in Ukraine as well as foster tax revenue growth inside the country.

- help develop interventions that have the potential to facilitate the creation of new companies working in innovative industries.

As a result, supported companies shall achieve the following goals to the most extent possible:

-       Revenue growth in Ukraine

-       New investments raised

-       New markets entered

-       New jobs created

The Innovative Industries Development Specialist will report to the Innovative Industries Development Lead and will be part of the broader team working on the economic development of Ukraine and its recovery from the war. The Innovative Industries Development Specialist will support the coordination of the efforts of different ERA instruments, such as (including but not limited to) subcontracts, direct procurement, consultancies, and grants to achieve the goals set for the ERA Innovative Industries sector. The Innovative Industries Development Specialist is based in Kyiv (remote mode until further notice).

Responsibilities

Technical Tasks:  

• Carry out analytical work to help perform a comprehensive industry assessment based on the available and relevant research. Track changes/developments/trends in the innovation ecosystem of Ukraine regularly, update results.
• Perform analysis of Ukrainian and international practices in developing the innovation ecosystem and fostering the growth of innovative companies and startups to create a map the most successful interventions.
• Help the Innovative Industries Development Lead develop a comprehensive strategic approach to the support for promising Ukrainian innovative companies and startups. Identify target audience(s) and help develop support programs that meet the goals and criteria.
• Carry out analytical and coordination support to build a pipeline of eligible companies, and ensure timely awareness and access to the provisional TA (Technical assistance) programs.
• Support the development and implementation of the programs through leveraging ERA internal as well as external resources (VC, donor-funded innovation support (e.g., Horizon Europe) from the U.S., EU, and G7 countries).
• Help develop consultancy assistance for addressing bottlenecks of sales, marketing, finances, strategy, and other elements of business performance.
• Participate in building partnerships with major public (e.g., Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Ukrainian Startup Fund) and private sector actors (IT/I4.0 corporations) to ensure Private Sector Engagement to address the development goals through the blend of ERA and external resources.
• Help develop export acceleration and support programs to help beneficiaries reach new markets.

Others

• Help prepare procurement technical documents (RPF, RFQ), SOWs

Grants Management: in coordination with the Grant Management team,

• Work with grant recipients and ERA technical staff to develop new grant proposals and ensure that they are aligned with the USAID ERA objectives and performance indicators;
• Provide technical assistance to grant recipients to support the implementation of their grant agreements;
• Coordinate with procurement personnel following the purchases approved under grant contracts.

Monitoring & Evaluation:  in coordination with the M&E team,

• Support data collection during the implementation of the technical tasks;
• Monitor the implementation of activities according to the ERA M&E plan;
• Provide information and data to the M&E team in a required format.

Communication: in coordination with the Communication team,

• Professionally represent ERA to relevant stakeholders;
• Foster ongoing positive cooperation with the stakeholders and ERA staff;
• Ensure that the correct USAID ERA branding and marking are utilized during the performance of the technical tasks.

Reporting:

• Maintain records of all activities using existing reporting tools;
• Prepare accurate and timely quarterly progress reports and contribute to the preparation of annual reports;
• Compile technical information for the management upon request.

About you

Required

• Master’s Degree preferred (IT, Management, Law, Economics, Engineering);
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in IT, Innovations, NGOs, Consulting or government agencies working on developing the startup/innovation ecosystem in Ukraine;
• Good understanding of sectoral development and donor-funded principles;
• Ability to work well independently and with a team;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
• Detail-oriented with good organization and prioritization skills;
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook;
• Written and spoken fluency in Ukrainian and English

Desirable

• Experience in business management is an advantage;
• Experience in a relevant role in donor-funded projects or international development projects is an advantage;
• Experience in the innovation ecosystem sector is an advantage;

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
• Responsibility: Be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;

• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect the cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months with possible extension.

Designation of Duty Location: Kyiv (remote work).

Start date: May 2023.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with USAID ERA Terms of Employment and the Ukrainian Labor Code.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]. Only selected candidates with relevant experience will be contacted for an interview.

Closing date for applications: April 21, 2023, COB.