• African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) deliver on their mandate, especially cross-cutting issues related to resilience building (contributing to the Strategic Plan Outcome 2);
• Regional growth is inclusive, transformational, and sustainable with reduced economic inequalities, and characterized by structural transformation (contributing to the Strategic Plan Outcome 2); and
• Regional institutions sustain peace and build resilience to crises and shocks (contributing to the Strategic Plan Outcome 3).

In 2021, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) commenced planning of a new initiative, timbuktoo, which aims to galvanize African youth as entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem solvers. timbuktoo’s ambition is to mobilize one billion dollars with US$ 350 million invested as catalytic and more than US$ 650 million crowded in as commercial capital to transform more than 100 million livelihoods and create 10 million dignified new jobs.

In January 2024, UNDP launched the timbuktoo Initiative which includes a Catalytic Pan-African Innovation Fund designed to support African startups. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Fund has already received a commitment of $3 million from the Government of Rwanda. The ambitious plan aims to mobilize and invest the targeted $1 billion to foster the growth and development of entrepreneurial ventures across the African continent. This focused approach, combined with a “blended capital” model that incorporates both commercial and catalytic funds, aims to reduce risks associated with private investment and foster a comprehensive startup ecosystem. The main target for the Execution Phase is to establish the institutional arrangements for the Fund, and crowd in additional investments on the catalytic side as well as kick off effective operationalization of the Initiative.

The timbuktoo initiative will establish 10 thematic vertical Hubs in Accra, Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dakar, Kigali, Lagos, and Nairobi – to serve as critical intervention nodes with full innovation ecosystem support. Each hub will be sector-specific and engage with startups across Africa rather than only those based in the host country. These hubs will catalyze innovation for sustainable development transforming ideas into viable businesses critical for powering Africa’s transformation including through the African Continental Free Trade Area.  The timbuktoo initiative also features University Innovation Pods (UniPods) – bridging the gap between academic research and entrepreneurial application. The 13 UniPods already established within public universities in Benin, Guinea, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Liberia, will be linked to the above – mentioned hubs and act as a pipeline for the tech and tech – enabled innovation ventures that will receive ecosystem support and early-stage risk capital investment under the Hubs. The timbuktoo initiative is multi-pronged, focused on supporting and growing innovative, scalable, and impactful entrepreneurship by African young people, while relying on a springboard of partners who together contribute meaningfully to building an African youth innovation and startup ecosystem. The timbuktoo approach will be anchored in seeking, nurturing, and building African solutions forwarded by Africa’s youth that directly address one or more of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as Ecosystem Specialist for the timbuktoo Hubs including support to the Presidency of the General Assembly.  The incumbent will report to the RBA Regional Strategy Advisor and Global Lead timbuktoo.

The Ecosystem Support Specialist will be engaged by UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) to support the Timbuktoo initiative, an ambitious project aimed at galvanizing African youth as entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem solvers. The role will focus on transitioning from initial ecosystem assessments and hub design to the detailed implementation phase. Additionally, the Specialist will work closely with the President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA) to elevate the Timbuktoo initiative on the international stage, ensuring its alignment with global development goals.

• Develop hub standard operating procedures and workflows in partnership with the Senior Technical Advisor for timbuktoo;
• Adapt hub designs to meet the specific needs and thematic focus areas of each identified country;
• Ensure designs are scalable and sustainable, addressing local challenges and leveraging local opportunities;
• Develop Hub sustainability and business model framework together with the Senior Technical Advisor for timbuktoo.

Implementation:

• Develop detailed implementation plans for each hub, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation;
• Coordinate with local teams to ensure timely and efficient execution of hub activities;
• Provide hands on training and support as requested for the thematic hub teams and country stakeholders;
• Develop key reports and curate general lessons and strategy papers for Timbuctoo hubs across the continent.

Ensure Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development:

• Mapping and Engagement:
  • Identify key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, academia, and civil society, in each hub location;
  • Develop and execute engagement strategies tailored to each stakeholder’s interests and objectives;
  • Identify and map key funding and financing stakeholders within each location and input into relevant resource mobilization efforts for UNDP and the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation.
• Building Partnerships:
  • Facilitate partnerships to secure resources, expertise, and support for the hubs;
  • Engage in resource mobilization activities to ensure the financial sustainability of the hubs;
  • Leverage the PGA for public partnerships and financing for timbuktoo.

Lead Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:

• Training Programs:
  • Design and deliver capacity-building programs for ecosystem stakeholders;
  • Conduct workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance local capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship;
• Ongoing Support:
  • Provide continuous technical assistance and mentorship to hub managers and ecosystem players;
  • Develop communities of practice to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders.

Provision of Advisory Role to the President of the United Nations General Assembly:

• Strategic Advice and Engagement:
  • Provide strategic advice to the PGA on promoting the Timbuktoo initiative on the global stage;
  • Support the PGA in engaging with international stakeholders to garner support for the initiative and other African priorities as specified by the presidency.
• Liaison:
  • Ensure continuous communication and coordination between the Timbuktoo central team and the PGA’s office;
  • Keep the PGA informed in real-time of the progress and developments of the Timbuktoo initiative;
  • Provide briefings to the PGA regarding relevant initiatives as specified.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

The Specialist will report to the RBA Strategy Advisor and Global Lead, timbuktoo.

Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Business Management 

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management

• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management

• Results Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved  performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management 

• Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Business Direction & Strategy 

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP’s value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Digital & Innovation 

• Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the message.

• Proven experience in comprehensive computer knowledge;
• Demonstrate experience in  high-level strategic thinking skills and business analytical skills;
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills and proven leadership and team skills.

• Good experience with incubators and accelerators as business development services;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in Financial inclusion, SME Development and Impact Investment;
• Proven excellent relationship management skills.

• Fluency in English and French (writing and speaking) is required;
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.