Innovation Partnerships and Ecosystem Building Expert

2 days ago


New York, New York, United States United Nations Development Programme Full time
Job Summary

The United Nations Development Programme is seeking a highly skilled Innovation Partnerships and Ecosystem Building Expert to join our team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the execution phase of the Timbuktoo initiative within UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA).

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship, driving sustainable development and economic transformation across the continent.

About Us

UNDP is committed to eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, and accelerating sustainable development. We believe that innovative partnerships and ecosystems are key to unlocking Africa's potential and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Your Role

As an Innovation Partnerships and Ecosystem Building Expert, you will be responsible for strengthening the African innovation ecosystem by establishing and managing high-impact partnerships with key stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. Your focus will be on building strategic partnerships that directly support the development of thematic hubs and UniPods, ensuring they serve as robust platforms for fostering scalable, innovative ventures.

You will engage and collaborate with academia, governments, investors, corporate partners, and entrepreneurial support organizations to ensure alignment with UNDP's Strategic Plan 2025-2028 and the organization's corporate goals. Your expertise will be instrumental in mobilizing resources and derisking ventures by developing innovative financing structures, facilitating public-private partnerships, and systematically mapping opportunities within the Pan-African innovation ecosystem.

Main Responsibilities

* Establish and maintain strategic partnership development * Lead partnership strategy and engagement with key stakeholders * Design and implement models for shared value partnerships * Lead ecosystem building and strengthening, including innovation ecosystem engagement and mapping, derisking and financing structures, and support for hubs and UniPods * Support resource mobilization and fundraising efforts, including private sector resource mobilization and innovative financing mechanisms * Collaborate closely with UNDP departments and teams to ensure a coordinated rollout of ecosystem-building activities * Develop frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the impact of partnerships and ecosystem interventions

Requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced professional with a strong background in innovation partnerships and ecosystem building. The ideal candidate will have:

* An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field * Minimum of 5 years (with master's degree) or 7 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in providing operational, project and programme management advisory services * Proven track record of experience in designing and executing strategic partnerships in innovative projects collaborating with different stakeholders and industries * Experience in implementing youth and start-up initiatives with national and regional stakeholders * Experience working across countries/continents with multicultural teams to deliver strategic insights on emerging issues * Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other UN languages is desired

Salary Range

$80,000 - $120,000 per annum

  • New York, New York, United States New York Life Insurance Company Full time

    About Us:We are New York Life Ventures, a pioneering Corporate Venture Capital unit driving innovation and growth. Our mission is to harness emerging technologies, invest in, partner with, and accelerate startups to propel the pace of transformation within New York Life.Our work revolves around fostering trusted relationships and deep networks. We have...


  • New York, New York, United States unspun Full time

    We are seeking an experienced Commercialization Expert to join our team and drive the adoption of our revolutionary Vega 3D weaving technology across global textile manufacturing partners.Job Description:About Usunspun is on a mission to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% by revolutionizing the way we make clothes. Our proprietary technology combines 3D...


  • New York, New York, United States A Full time

    A.Team is a place where builders get to build things that matter to them with teammates they love. If you are excited by the prospect of identifying unique solutions for clients that bring together the world's boldest founders, thought leaders, and product builders to imagine a new way of working, then join us as a Lead for AI Ecosystem Growth.About A.Team's...


  • New York, New York, United States Plume Network Full time

    Role OverviewWe're looking for a skilled Blockchain Ecosystem Builder to join our team. As a key member, you'll work closely with our Business Development team, gaining exposure to all aspects of relationship-building, market expansion, and partnership development. Your primary responsibilities will include:Customer Relationship Management: Act as the...


  • New York, New York, United States A Full time

    Key ResponsibilitiesTarget and establish key partnerships within the AI space, with a focus on fostering innovation, collaboration, and mutual growth.Drive new business opportunities through partnerships that deliver value to both A.Team and its clients.Develop and execute strategies to ensure partner success, including joint marketing efforts, technical...


  • New York, New York, United States Pixalate, Inc. Full time

    Unlock New Revenue StreamsAt Pixalate, Inc., we're on a mission to protect businesses, consumers, and children from online threats. As our Senior Director of Commercial Partnerships, you'll play a pivotal role in establishing strategic partnerships with ad-tech companies, driving revenue growth, and leading our commercial efforts.We're seeking an experienced...


  • New York, New York, United States PayPal Full time

    At PayPal, we're revolutionizing commerce on a global scale. With over 25 years of experience, we're empowering consumers and businesses to thrive in the digital economy. Our mission is to create innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure.We operate a vast network connecting hundreds of millions of...


  • New York, New York, United States Extreme Reach Full time

    About the RoleWe're looking for a highly experienced Director of Publisher Partnerships to join our team at XR. As a seasoned professional in the field, you'll be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive publisher partnership strategy to drive revenue growth and expand our reach within the digital media landscape.The ideal candidate will have...


  • New York, New York, United States Adyen Full time

    Job OverviewA Senior Partnership Development Manager at Adyen is responsible for building and scaling partnerships with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies. This role requires strong relationship management skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the payments ecosystem.About AdyenWe are a financial technology platform that...


  • New York, New York, United States Madison Ave Consulting Full time

    Madison Ave ConsultingWe are a dynamic and growing Salesforce consulting partner dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that drive business transformation. As part of our expansion, we are seeking an experienced Salesforce Alliance Manager to build and maintain strong relationships with Salesforce and drive the success of our partnership.The role is...


  • New York, New York, United States Ramp Full time

    About RampRamp is a leading financial operations platform that streamlines corporate cards, expense management, bill payments, vendor management, accounting automation, and more. By leveraging its all-in-one solution, finance teams can focus on high-value tasks while reducing costs.With over 25,000 clients across various industries, from family-owned farms...


  • New York, New York, United States Pyramid Technology Solutions, Inc Full time

    Job OverviewWe are seeking an experienced IBM Maximo Ecosystem Expert to join our team at Pyramid Technology Solutions, Inc.About the RoleThis position involves developing and customizing mobile applications for IBM Maximo Product, as well as designing and implementing mobile solutions using Maximo Integration Framework.Key ResponsibilitiesDeveloping mobile...


  • New York, New York, United States FeverUp Full time

    About UsFeverUp is a pioneering company in the live-entertainment discovery technology sector, with a clear mission to democratize access to culture and entertainment. We're a forward-thinking, creative, and innovative team committed to revolutionizing the event experience.Role OverviewWe're seeking an Innovation and Partnership Director to spearhead our...


  • New York, New York, United States monday Full time

    About the RoleThis is a unique opportunity to join monday.com as a Cloud Alliance Manager, where you will be responsible for managing and growing Monday.com relationships with key stakeholders within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem. With a focus on building and maintaining strong partnerships, you will work closely with AWS US sales organization and...


  • New York, New York, United States 1000heads Full time

    About the RoleWe're seeking a highly experienced Director of Innovation and Partnerships to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for driving business growth, developing new partnerships, and contributing to the strategic direction of our agency.The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in business development, a strong network of...


  • New York, New York, United States Celonis Full time

    Celorins, the leader in Process Mining technology, is seeking an experienced Director of Cloud Ecosystems to join our team. As a key member of our Cloud Partnerships team, you'll be responsible for managing our Go-To-Market activities with existing Cloud Partners and handling relationships with Cloud Partners on a regional level.We're looking for someone...


  • New York, New York, United States Center for Justice Innovation Full time

    Research and Innovation LeaderThe Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. With over two decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with field-leading research and practitioner expertise, we drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways.We are seeking a...


  • New York, New York, United States Cadent Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking an experienced Data Partnerships Expert to join our team at Cadent. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in data partnerships and a deep understanding of audience curation, DMP integrations, and marketing strategies.Job DescriptionThe Data Partnerships Expert will be responsible for managing day-to-day data...


  • New York, New York, United States PLAID Full time

    Unlock Financial Freedom as a Strategic Partnership Development ManagerWe're Plaid, a fintech leader empowering individuals to take control of their financial lives. Our mission is to make the financial ecosystem more equitable, and we're seeking a talented Strategic Partnership Development Manager to join our team.About the Role:You'll be responsible for...


  • New York, New York, United States Informa Group Plc. Full time

    Unlock New Growth Opportunities with Our VP, Partnerships RoleAbout UsCurinos is a leading provider of industry-leading proprietary data, technologies, and insights that empower financial institutions to make better, faster, and more profitable decisions. With decades-long expertise in the financial services industry and a relentless focus on innovation, our...