Duties and responsibilities

Assist in the day-to-day management of the innovation pipeline, from idea generation through to implementation. 

Support the coordination of innovation workshops, brainstorming sessions, and hackathons. 

Maintain and update the innovation project database, tracking progress, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities. 

Assist in managing intellectual property (IP) documentation and liaise with legal or patent professionals as required. 

Contribute to the preparation of research proposals, grant applications, and project reports. 

Conduct literature reviews and data collection to support ongoing research initiatives. 

Organise and maintain research data, files, and records, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance. 

Support the preparation of technical documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and research protocols. 

Monitor project budgets and track expenses, assisting in financial reporting as necessary. 

Facilitate the dissemination of research findings through presentations, publications, and conferences. 

Act as the central point of contact for project-related inquiries. 

Plan and coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, and events. 

Any other duties may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor or as captured in the detailed job description. 

Qualification and experience

A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Business Development, Information Technology, Innovation Management, Statistics, or Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited University. 

At least 3 years of experience in research coordination, innovation management, or project administration in an academic, research, or innovation-driven environment. 

Registration for a Masters degree/ongoing will be an added advantage. 

Ability to align research and innovation initiatives with institutional strategic goals. 

Strong understanding of research processes, innovation ecosystems, and knowledge transfer practices 

Proficiency with data collection tools and analysis such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, REDCap, R, Stata, or Atlas.ti.   

Familiarity with funding mechanisms, grant management, and reporting requirements. 

Excellent organisational and event planning skills, with proven ability to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings, seminars, workshops, and innovation-related events. 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.