GIZ Albania Vacancy_Advisor-Linkages

Project: EU4Innovation

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) is a federal enterprise that supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

Project Background

The Action supports the Government of Albania (GoA) in achieving key objectives in the field of economic development, namely, to accelerate the transformation into a more innovation-driven and knowledge-based economy, unlocking its human capital, entrepreneurial as well and research potential and thereby increasing its competitiveness.

The specific objective (outcome) of the Action is: maturity and exposure of the Albanian start-up and innovation ecosystem and its stakeholders are increased. This objective is pursued through activities in four main result areas (outputs).

Output 1 puts capacity development (CD) addressing the start-up and innovation ecosystem at centre stage. Already existing actors and services will be strengthened to deliver qualitative and sustainable services. New public and private actors will be encouraged to enter the Albanian start-up and innovation ecosystem to complement current services. The responsibility for implementation of this output lies with GIZ.

Output 2 will improve access to finance for Albanian start-ups and Innovation Support Organisations (ISOs). As a continuation of the challenge fund managed by Sida during phase 1, the grant scheme will target innovative (i) Micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) / start-ups and (ii) start-ups with a prominent tech content, with the potential to go global and grow fast. It includes businesses all stages of development (idea, validation, growth, scale-up). Next to that, GIZ will provide grants and capacity development to ISOs. Selected activities in the areas of crowdfunding, angel and equity investment complement this approach on GIZ side.

Output 3 promotes and implements the Quadruple Helix (QH) approach to generate innovation and economic growth. The target group is opened also to younger generations. Paradigmatic activities include green / circular project pilots on community level, awareness raising events and skills development programmes, e.g., via progressively integrating entrepreneurship education into university curricula. The responsibility for implementation of this output lies with GIZ.

Output 4 promotes Albania as a start-up and innovation ecosystem and destination for international and domestic innovators and entrepreneurs. The Action will design awareness raising campaigns and activities to promote key actors within the ecosystem, who can serve as ambassadors and role models. The responsibility for implementation of this output lies with GIZ.

This Multi Donor Action is envisaged to be co-financed by the EU, the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Sida and implemented by GIZ (output 1-4) and Sida (main part of output 2) between December 2022 to May 2026 (42 months).

  GIZ Office Albania seeks the following staff:

Advisor – Linkages

A.       Responsibilities

As advisor – linkages you build linkages for local innovation ecosystem stakeholders and beyond, always with digital affinity. Networking comes naturally to you – (1) between start-ups, (2) between ISOs, (3) between start-ups, ISOs, universities, and investors in Albania and (4) between Albanian and European actors. As an integral team member of “EU4Innovation”, you always have your ears open for latest innovation trends and what else is going on “on the streets of Albania’s and Europe’s start-up and innovation ecosystem”. With your innovative, courageous, and disruptive, thought-provoking mind you

·        manage to build and strengthen linkages within the local ecosystem and between local and international players to further disrupt and innovate MSMEs, start-ups and ISOs in Albania,

·        lead implementation of regional ecosystem development activities (e.g. Korca, Shkodra) together with other donor projects (e.g. GIZ, UNICEF)

·        lead implementation of a structured approach to involve Albanian diaspora in the project’s activities together with other donor projects (e.g. GIZ Programm for Migration and Development)

·        lead implementation of structured activities between Albanian & European ISOs and start-ups in structured cooperation with European Actors (ecosystem safaris, matchmaking, twinning)

·        are the focal point to implement and mainstream digital topics in the Action.

 In this capacity you perform the following tasks:

B.     Tasks

·        You take responsibility to build the build and strengthen linkages within the local ecosystem and between local and international players

·        You participate in an external change management team for output 1, develop a theory of change, set-up regular meetings, collect feedback and ideas, communicate and channel local interests and aspirations to project management and develop innovative demand-based interventions

·        You lead implementation of linkages activities for start-ups, ISOs and investors mostly in validation, growth and access to investment phases

·        You co-lead implementation of capacity development interventions for more than 300 start-ups during validation and growth phases (together with other advisors)

·        You lead an implementation strategy to strengthen corporate involvement throughout all the project’s activities

·        You represent the interface between output 1 and output 3

·        You lead implementation of digital pilots and activities in collaboration with other donor projects (E.g. GIZ ProSEED 2.0) and mainstream the topic in the overall Action

·        You set-up subcontracts, grant agreements and local subsidies and oversee contractors (e.g. incubators, accelerators, advisors)

·        You support close collaboration between output 1 and 2 in all possible aspects (event management, contract implementation, regular input and support on topics of access to finance (equity investment, crowdfunding, Angel Investment))

·        You support the Action’s support to the ministry of finance and economy and the state minister for the protection of entrepreneurship together with project management (policy support & trainings)

·        You are M&E focal point for output 1 delivering needed information to project management and other colleagues when needed

·        You are always ready to support project staff with event management tasks

·        You support project management to coordinate events and news with political partners (Ministry of Finance & Economy) as well as implementation partners (e.g. Sida)

C.            Required qualifications, competences and experience:

 ·        Education/training: University qualification, e.g. in IT, Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Digital Transformation, General Management, or equivalent

·        General professional experience: at least 5 years of professional experience in developing start-up ecosystems, working in a start-up or participating in a start-up program with a strong focus on innovation and (digital) transformation

·        Languages: Fluent in Albanian, excellent business language skills in English required

·        Specific professional experience: Proven experience in developing innovation ecosystems, experience in private sector development, active member of the Albanian ‘start-up scene’, experience in the facilitation and creation of networks, applied knowledge in the field of project management, knowledge of GIZ processes is a plus

D.     Contract conditions

·        Full-time employment

·        Project office in Tirana

·        Assignment period: until 31.12.2025

 Please forward your application until 21st of November 2022, to GIZ Office Albania by

E-Mail: giz-albanien-hr@giz.de including the following information: Application letter, CV in English (Euro Pass format), references.

GIZ wants to increase the proportion of people with disabilities in the company. Therefore, we look forward to receiving appropriate applications!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring certified copies of their diplomas and work certificates.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all interested groups with-out any discrimination!