Job Description

DepartmentUniversity of VendaJob TitleINNOVATION CHAMPIONPost LevelProjectJob TypeAcademic - Donor FundedClosing Date12/9/2024Job RequirementsRequirementsMinimum requirement for the post is a 3-4-year Bachelor degree in Science/Development Studies/Innovation studies. Candidates with at least Honours degree in Sciences, Local Economic Development, Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation studies, Agribusiness Management or other fields of Agriculture, and Business Studies will have an added advantage. The Innovation Champion to be placed at Thulamela Municipality.DutiesSuccessful applicants will be required to perform the following duties:

• Stakeholder relations building and management a) Abide by policies, rules and procedures governing host institutions and the project;
• Develop vibrant relationships between host Municipalities/UNIVEN and diverse institutions in the National System of Innovation (NSI); and
• Liaise regularly with other ICs, LED personnel and university staff and students on project matters.

• Innovation mapping and promotion a) Provide support to Municipalities in identifying and incorporating innovation into LED strategies, plans and projects;
• Introduce/deploy innovation tools into LED work;
• Facilitate and manage innovation mapping activities; and
• Link Municipalities and the University with potential sources of resources for innovation activities.

• Project management and coordination a) Work closely with implementation teams in the development nodes of local Municipalities;
• Coordinate logistics of the project, in collaboration with the IC4LED project Secretariat;
• Lead the IC4LED Secretariat within the institutions hosting them;
• Write regular, detailed reports of sufficient quality within set timeframes; and

University of Venda