Incubation Program Analyst at Ventures Platform

Job Description

• Ventures Platform Foundation (VPF) in conjunction with the Digital Development Unit of the World Bank with support from the Rockefeller Foundation has launched a Click-On Kaduna Digital Entrepreneurship Program in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
• The initiative aims to help increase employment for disadvantaged youth and women in Kaduna State by catalyzing the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for the creation of economic opportunities.
• The ICT sector in Kaduna State is nascent yet vibrant with strong support from the Government. A core component of the Kaduna State Development Plan (KSDP) 2016-2020 is to position Kaduna as a destination for business investment to create jobs, especially among young people. ICT related industries such as mobile and web application development and computer assembly are considered one of the seven areas with significant potential for driving regional economic growth and job creation. Fostering social and economic inclusion of women is also considered crucial for achieving these objectives.
• In partnership with the World Bank and the Kaduna State Government, Ventures Platform Foundation (VPF) will implement a digital entrepreneurship program that will provide training and mentorship to technology startup teams in Kaduna on cutting edge digital entrepreneurship skills and lean startup methodologies. It will also aim to help build a foundation for a vibrant tech community in Kaduna. Emphasis will be placed on supporting female-led startups and teams that include female team members.
• The VPF Team is looking to hire an Incubation Program Analyst who will assist the team in the daily operations of this program. This position requires a candidate with a collaborative and positive attitude, who has the ability to work under pressure, and a desire for continuous improvement.
• The Click-On Kaduna Digital Entrepreneurship Program will run for 6 months and train 180 participants, of which 30% are women.

Description Of Responsibilities
Our ideal candidate will support the VPF team in:

• Overall planning of activities, human & business resources, budgets, and operations of the Click-On Kaduna Digital Entrepreneurship Program;
• Participating in a series of awareness and outreach sessions in Kaduna on the topics of digital entrepreneurship with an emphasis on recruiting female participants;
• Supporting the development of learning modules;
• Monitoring progress of program participants and recommending course of action;
• Executing activities associated with an incubation program including: managing the program calendar; selection of program participants, implementing the learning modules, mentorship matchmaking, and organizing a Demo Day;
• Providing key logistics services and planning for events and activities; and
• Supporting the VPF team in other tasks as needed.

Work Schedule:

• The anticipated duration of the contract is 7 months, starting on the 24th of September 2018.
• The candidate will work for VPF on a full-time basis and be based in Kaduna with availability to travel outside Kaduna.
• The candidate will work out of the VPF designated office in Kaduna State.
• Regular office hours are 8am to 5.00pm from Monday to Fridays.
• The candidate is responsible for using his/her own laptop.
• VPF will reimburse the candidate for out-of-pocket expenses associated with official travel outside Kaduna, by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

Payment Schedule:

• Payments by VPF are delivery-based (milestones achieved). Any deliverable not meeting the required indicators/specification will have to be reworked and resubmitted at no additional cost to VPF.
• The proposed payment schedule for this assignment is monthly payment upon submission of progress reports on completed tasks, outlined against planned outputs. Based on the report and satisfactory performance, payments will be certified by the supervisor.

Supervision:

• The candidate will work under supervision of the VPF team who will have frequent interactions with the candidate at various stages to brief him/her on:
  • Program status;
  • Agree on the modalities and clarify the deliverables;
  • Provide feedback and comments on program expectations; and
  • Track the progress made by the candidate.
• The supervisor will evaluate the consultant’s work and certify delivery of work.

Skills & Requirements
Corporate Competencies:

• Familiarity with business incubation and acceleration methodologies;
• Knowledge of innovation, technology, and startup ecosystems;
• Knowledge and expertise of the technology ecosystem in Nigeria;
• Familiarity with Northern Nigerian culture and experience with the Kaduna ecosystem is desired;
• Experience with training and capacity building for digital entrepreneurs;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the VPF values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of VPF;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity, and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity with a zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Displays an entrepreneurial mindset and cares deeply about improving the lives of youth and women;
• Strategic thinker with a focus on tangible results;
• Strong relationship and interpersonal skills, demonstrates courtesy, tact,and patience;
• Strong team orientation;
• Ability to perform under pressure and in a politically sensitive environment; and
• Expertise in implementing gender sensitive and socially inclusive programs.

Qualification
Education:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies/Social Sciences or relevant field.

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience in a similar role or in working in a startup;
• Experience in mentoring or supporting startups; and
• Experience launching or working in a startup is desired.

Language:

• Excellent spoken and written English required. Fluency in Hausa is desirable.

Note

• Please include at least 2 references in your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Application is open to the public except applicants under the following category:
  • Government officials;
  • Candidates linked to the project design; and
  • Relatives of participating entities.
• Female candidates are greatly encouraged to apply