Innovation Lead – Engineering Portfolio

About the role

A university in Harare, Zimbabwe is looking for an Innovation Lead to lead and coordinate its engineering innovation portfolio. The role covers the identification, assessment, prioritisation and monitoring of engineering projects, and provides technical leadership from proof of concept through to market-ready solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the engineering innovation portfolio, assessing projects on technical feasibility, Technology Readiness Levels, commercial potential and impact.
• Provide technical leadership in the design, development, prototyping, testing, validation and progression of engineering products, systems and technologies.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams of researchers, students, innovators, technicians and industry partners, and provide mentorship and incubation support to start-ups.
• Identify engineering intellectual property with commercial potential and help protect, license, transfer and commercialise it.
• Build strategic partnerships with industry, manufacturers, professional bodies, research institutions, investors and government stakeholders.
• Carry out technical due diligence and advise the Innovation Manager on project priorities, technology investments, infrastructure needs, risks and commercialisation opportunities.
• Help innovators prepare proposals, concept notes, business cases, funding applications and commercialisation plans, and support regulatory compliance, certification and access to labs and workshops.
• Monitor emerging technologies and project performance, maintain the innovation pipeline and prepare technical, portfolio and progress reports.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronics, Industrial and Manufacturing, Chemical or Civil Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• At least two years' experience in engineering, R&D, product development, manufacturing, innovation, technology development or commercialisation.