Innovation Associate

The Role

The Innovation Associate is a dual-focused role that supports innovation programs operations and grant-funded projects monitoring. This position provides targeted grant management support, ensuring projects adhere to program guidelines and deliverables. The Innovation Associate is responsible for grant management and support for innovation programs, ensuring compliance with guidelines and delivering impactful results. They will analyse data, produce insights, and create high-quality presentations to communicate results and impact to sponsors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Grant Management and Grantee Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned grantees, offering guidance on project execution, adherence to grant guidelines, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Monitor grantee performance against agreed-upon milestones and deliverables, ensuring compliance with grant agreements.
• Conduct site visits or virtual check-ins to assess on-the-ground progress, address any project challenges, and support successful project completion.
• Review and approve grantee reports, budgets, and financial data, ensuring transparent use of funds and alignment with program requirements.

Innovation Program Support

• Assist with application sourcing, outreach campaigns, and recruitment strategies to attract high-quality startups.
• Participate in startup evaluations, reviewing pitch decks, business models, and traction data to support selection committees.
• Coordinate and help deliver boot camps, demo days, investor sessions, and workshops, ensuring seamless execution and impactful participant experiences.
• Support with program events and logistics (booking meetings, arranging webinars, booking and coordinating transportation).
• Engage with stakeholders — including startups, mentors, investors, corporates, and government partners — to foster collaboration and program success.

Reporting and Presentation Development

• Develop compelling presentations to effectively communicate project outcomes, insights, and impact to stakeholders.
• Prepare visually engaging reports, incorporating charts, infographics, and other visual aids to convey complex data clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Regularly present findings to stakeholders, providing updates on project milestones, impact, and any recommended program adjustments.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Statistics, Business Administration, Innovation Management, or a related discipline is required.

Required Skills

• The ideal candidate demonstrates strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear and actionable insights.
• He/She possesses excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, ensuring effective management of multiple projects within deadlines.
• Strong communication skills are essential, enabling the candidate to engage with diverse stakeholders and present data-driven insights in a clear and accessible way.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience with data visualization tools are required.
• A collaborative mindset, attention to detail, and adaptability in a dynamic environment are key success factors in this role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, or research development programs.

Preferred Skills

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in innovation program/project management required.
• Preferable proven track record in designing, implementing, and monitoring innovation programs, including reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) and outcomes.