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The Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Program, seeking to recruit a Business Development Manager as part of the Program Management Team. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Business Development Manager will provide business development support for technologies and products generated by Bio-Innovate supported projects and facilitate the commercialization processes.
The Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Program, hosted at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), is a regional initiative established to support multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder biosciences and product-oriented innovation activities in the eastern Africa countries of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The purpose of the Program is to strengthen the link between research, bio-innovation and end users with the aim of initiating and commercializing/deploying innovations for sustainable utilization and integration of the region’s bio-resources for economic growth and development. Phase I of the Program that commenced in 2010 is projected to end in 2015.
Responsibilities:
- Take lead in evaluating the technical and commercial potential as well as social and environmental impact of technologies and products generated by current and future projects.
- Provide requisite guidance to enable deployment of generated technologies and products to the market place.
- Support and monitor the pilot-testing, commercialization and scaling up activities.
- Provide the Program management secretariat, projects teams and partners with intellectual property, business and other legal as well as regulatory requirement support.
- Serve as the virtual bio-incubator leader to guide the innovation processes for the supported projects and ventures.
- Support resource and technology mobilization activities and ensure new or existing partners effectively interface to meet stated objectives.
- Identifying appropriate bio-incubation models for the effective incubation of start-ups, early stage and small enterprises, as well as ‘spin-off’ companies
Requirements:
- Master’s in business, finance, project management or equivalent. Possession of MSc or PhD in a relevant field is an added advantage.
- Over 7 years in business and project development, technology transfer, and a solid understanding of the technical and business incubation processes of bio-innovation.
- Proven record of guiding teams taking research and development outputs to the market.
- Demonstrable expertise in managing incubators and commercializing bioscience innovations.
- A solid understanding of the business as well as policy and regulatory environment in the Eastern Africa region.
- Should possess good negotiation as well as networking and interpersonal skills.
Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, on ILRI main campus
Position level: The position is level 5A equivalent to Senior Scientist level, dependent on qualifications and experience.
Duration: 1 year fixed term contract with the possibility of renewal on regular basis, as part of the Program Management Team in Phase II, based on performance and availability of continued funding.
Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.
*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.
Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and reference number: BDM/BI/08/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. To apply visit http://ilri.simplicant.com/. The deadline for submiting applications by 12 September 2014.
