Innovation Catalyst

Job Title: Innovation Programme Coordinator

Location: [Country of Assignment]

Reports to: Innovation Lead

About the Organization

GrowthAfrica is a dynamic organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation across the continent. We run structured programmes—Innovation Cafés and incubator cohorts—that empower early-stage entrepreneurs to develop viable businesses. We are looking for a skilled Programme Coordinator to drive our in‑country delivery.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead the execution of Innovation Café workshops and incubator programmes in country. You will facilitate innovation cycles, coach aspiring entrepreneurs, coordinate logistics, manage participant progression, and build strong ecosystem partnerships. This role is central to ensuring high‑quality programme delivery and measurable participant outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and co‑facilitate all Innovation Café workshop cycles in country, including participant mobilisation, venue and logistics coordination, learning materials preparation and the delivery of eight Innovation Café cycles.
• Conduct structured participant follow‑up between workshops through telephone, virtual coaching sessions and in‑person field visits, supporting idea refinement, validating participant progress and identifying high‑potential innovation teams for progression into the incubator programme.
• Facilitate and support all incubator programme cohorts in country, providing practical coaching on prototype design, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development, testing and validation, while supporting teams to achieve programme milestones across four to five incubator cohorts.
• Work closely with the Innovation Lead to implement curriculum enhancements, facilitation improvements, quality assurance recommendations and updated delivery methodologies, ensuring consistent programme standards across all countries.
• Coordinate in‑country outreach, participant recruitment, application review and selection processes for both the Innovation Cafés and incubator programme, working closely with the Programme Associate to attract and select high‑potential participants.
• Monitor and document participant progress throughout the innovation journey, capturing accurate programme data, implementation evidence and participant outcomes in line with the programme's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework.
• Build, coordinate and maintain strong relationships with local co‑facilitators, technical experts, innovation hubs, co‑working spaces and ecosystem partners to strengthen programme delivery and expand the support available to participating entrepreneurs.
• Work with the Grant Coordinator to monitor innovation grant milestones, ensuring grant‑related documentation, participant compliance and implementation progress are accurately captured throughout the Incubator phase.
• Support the Programme Lead in the planning and delivery of wider programme activities, contributing to coordinated implementation across all programme components within the country.
• Capture participant stories, implementation lessons and field insights that contribute to programme learning, continuous improvement and the development of GrowthAfrica's innovation methodologies.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Design, Engineering, Development Studies or another relevant discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 4 to 7 years of progressive professional experience in entrepreneurship support, startup incubation, innovation programme delivery, product development coaching or related fields.
• Facilitation skills: Demonstrated experience facilitating participatory workshops, innovation programmes or entrepreneurship training for diverse youth and early‑stage entrepreneur audiences.
• Methodology expertise: Strong practical understanding of human‑centred design, ideation processes, lean startup methodologies and minimum viable product development, with the ability to support entrepreneurs in applying these approaches in real‑world settings.
• Coaching ability: Proven ability to coach and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs through implementation, providing practical guidance that supports continuous learning and measurable progress.
• Interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal, facilitation and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with participants, community stakeholders and ecosystem partners across diverse settings.
• Ecosystem knowledge: Familiarity with the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem within the country of assignment, including experience working with innovation hubs, technical experts, entrepreneur support organisations or startup communities.
• MEL experience: Experience collecting participant performance information and contributing to monitoring, evaluation and learning processes within entrepreneurship or development programmes.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to prepare participant reports, implementation updates and stakeholder communications. Working proficiency in relevant local languages is an advantage.
• Organisational skills: Strong organisational skills, adaptability and willingness to travel regularly within the country of assignment to support participants, partners and programme activities.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to [application email/portal] by [deadline]. Use the subject line: "Innovation Programme Coordinator – [Country]". Only short‑listed candidates will be contacted.