Hub Manager - Benue Agro-Innovation Hub

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Benue Agro-Innovation Hub is established by UNDP with support from the Japan Government as a people focused ecosystem seeking to deploy scalable service lines to co-create with communities social-impact enterprises across the agro-value chain that empowers vulnerable populations, at-risk communities, create jobs and foster community cohesion.

The Agro-Innovation Hub seeks to:

1. To promote Agribusiness development and investment in agro value-chain in support of efforts to ensure food security in mostly crisis-affected rural areas in Benue state and regional communities.

2. To promote user-people-led innovations and solutions that explore and provide expertise in the value chain for agricultural products with specialized. knowledge in areas such as a. Smart and Climate-sensitive Agric, b. food processing and value addition c. logistics and supply chains d. food-tech, agri-tech

3. To drive communal entrepreneurship and livelihood programs that promote the establishment of small-scale businesses in rural areas to create employment.

4. Strengthen technical capacities of innovators, and state governments on techno-economic development options for strengthening the agro-industrial sector and fostering the equitable integration of agro-enterprises into market-oriented systems.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Area Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteers will:

a. Oversee the day to day management of the Agro-Innovation Hub in Makurdi, Benue State. b. Convene regular ecosystem and stakeholder engagements and outreach on agro-innovation. c. Establish and nurture a community of innovators, startups, entreprenuers looking to surface innovative solutions in response to agro-based challenges. d. Establishment of Map of existing venture builders that exclusively focus on incubating agro-based enterprises and upskilling creative sector entrepreneurs. This could include incubators, accelerators, creative sector labs. e. Establishment and implement a business model for the Benue Agro-Innovation Hub.
f. Design a lean innovation framework and test incubation of emerging ideas across the chain. g. Foster strategic partnerships with the State Government, Private Sector, Universities and development partners looking to collaborate with the Hub.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Innovation • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

relevant Development related programmes, Innovation, Stakeholder Engagement or Human Centered Design. • Advanced university degree or a First degree or specialized training in relevant development courses • At least 3 years of professional experience working with or within the innovation ecosystem in Benue / industries in Nigeria • Experience in convening innovation processes including innovation challenges, hackathons, mekathons • Experience working with innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators co-working, and design labs. • Experience in designing incubation programmes • Experience in managing hubs and similar spaces • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Nigeria is a unique country and UNDP is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.