Expert in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Location: Pristina
Deadline for submitting the application: 10/02/2025
Start date: 01/03/2025
Contract type: Limited
Contract term (months): 18.00
1. BACKGROUND
The Government of Kosovo (GoK) and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 July 2022. The MoU defines several areas in which the bilateral support provided by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Kosovo will be continued for 2023-2025. The area depicted in article 1.3 of the MoU on “Sustainable and inclusive growth” is the subject of this intervention. The area follows SDG 8 of the United Nations, which is defined as “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. Both governments see the area as an opportunity to open a way to diversify their partnership on topics of high interest, such as the green transition, digital transformation, strengthening the innovation ecosystem and the capacities in cybersecurity. Four specific result areas were selected, each having a separate beneficiary institution and, therefore, are treated as individual “components” within the overall project.
The overall objective of the KSV/023 “Sustainable and inclusive growth in Kosovo” project is to contribute to sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation, inclusiveness and social development in a greener Kosovo. The specific objective of the project aims to encourage innovation and local and foreign investments in an e-secured and transparent environment. The assumption is that through fostering innovation and foreign investments, more jobs are created, resulting in an improvement of the government finances. This improvement should lead to better public services and inclusion of currently disadvantaged groups in society, such as a higher level of employment of women and less migration.
The project’s first component is on establishing the Sovereign Fund of the Republic of Kosovo (SFRK), as the Fund promises to improve the government finances and attract foreign investments, which would lead to economic growth. The Office of the Prime Minister is the counterpart.
The second component will improve cybersecurity, as Kosovo has a growing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector and is undergoing a digital transformation, which needs protection against hybrid cybersecurity threats. It is implemented with the Ministry for Internal Affairs (MIA).
The third component refers to the stimulation of innovation in the private sector by entrepreneurs to increase the value added to products and services and overcome barriers to export, leading to economic growth. It is implemented with the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET).
The fourth component relates to the support for digitalisation at Parliament in replacing its non-functional electronic voting system as it will improve not only transparency and accountability of voting but also is expected to enhance information services to the public and remove a specific hurdle on the path to integration into the European Union (EU). The Parliament of Kosovo is the counterpart.
The KSV/023 project is structured around four results, which are:
• Result 1: the SFRK is ready for implementation;
• Result 2: civil servants’ cyber security capabilities are improved;
• Result 3: the innovation fund for the development of private companies is up and running;
• Result 4: an e-voting system for Parliament is operational.
The maximum budget from the Luxembourg Government stands at 6,500,000 EUR. The project started in November 2023 and will last for a 3-year duration.
The project is managed by a full-time Project Manager (PM) and a technical team hosted within the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET).
2. JOB PURPOSE
Under the direct supervision of the PM and in close cooperation with the project’s team, the Departments of Innovation, Industry and Entrepreneurship, and Kosovo Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Agency (KIESA), the expert will be responsible for providing advice and guidance on innovation and implementing activities planned under Result 3.
They are responsible for the operationalisation and designing of project activities, ensuring coherence with the activities supported by other donors, supporting the development of capacities, and facilitating communication.
3. MAIN TASKS
Under the supervision of the PM and as part of a project aimed at supporting economic growth through the innovation sector in Kosovo, the role encompasses key responsibilities stated below:
3.1. Institutional support
• to support the drafting of concept documents and operational strategies. Particularly to support the Department of Innovation in drafting the 2030 innovation strategy, as well as other public and legislative policies related to the Innovation Fund (IF) and sub-legal acts in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations;
• to support the operationalisation of the National Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
• to support the inter-institutional coordination (MESTI, Universities, etc.);
• to support the creation and transition process of the new KIESA (Kosovo Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Agency to be created within the MIET);
3.2. Planning, implementation and monitoring
• to provide expertise and advice for the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities and support related to innovation, industry, and entrepreneurship. This includes assistance in drafting innovation strategie, by-laws, grant guidelines (aligned with annual project action plans), and other relevant documents for the abovementione; departments within MIE;
• to provide technical support for innovation grants schemes, administrative and financial management;
• to participate in the evaluation committees for grants;
• to support and guide the monitoring committees;
• to provide support for the establishment of the innovation fund;
• to advise and provide support to the Departments for the implementation of their action plans (according to project annual action plans);
• to ensure quality assurance of project deliverables;
• to participate in the drafting of the project's annual operational plan, quarterly, annual and final reporting, including M&E;
• to contribute to the communication of the project and knowledge management;
• to facilitate consultations and communication with intermediaries (incubators, chamber of commerce, associations, etc.) to strengthen the ecosystem.
3.3. Capacity Building
• to strenghten the capacities of the innovation ecosystem;
• to provide the necessary expertise for capacity building in the field of innovation, with a focus on designing public policies and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem;
• to provide training and coaching on the design and implementation of policy instruments for the grants and innovation fund.
• To contribute to the management of knowledge, knowledge sharing and capitalisation of good practices of the innovation ecosystem for the department of innovation and KIESA.
3.4. Perform any other tasks as requested by the project manager in the framework of the project’s result.
4. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• A master's degree in economics, business sciences, management, technical or natural sciences or similar fields;
• At least 3 years of experience in supporting or developing innovation or research in the private sector;
• At least 3 years of experience in support for private sector development;
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in grants management;
• At least 2 years of experience in institutional support (drafting laws, by-laws, regulations, etc.) and in strengthening public partners (training, coaching, etc.);
• International experience will be considered a plus;
• Experience working in development cooperation.
5. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
• Good knowledge of international development (context, challenges, application, partners, functioning…);
• Knowledge of project management methodologies (planning, monitoring, evaluation, etc.);
• Affinity with (social) innovation;
• Very good communication and listening skills and empathy;
• Excellent organisational and analytical skills;
• Proactive and bring innovative solutions to the challenges encountered;
• Able to work with and support teams within a Ministry;
• Fluent in English and Albanian.
Remarks:
By applying for this position, candidates understand that they must be ready to undergo interviews and/or tests carried out by LuxDev. Also, LuxDev does not take any responsibility with regards to work permit arrangements. Further all candidates by applying for this position agree to present upon request by LuxDev at later stages a proof that they have never been involved in criminal acts and be able to provide a police clearance certificate.
The applications must contain a motivation letter, a current CV. The candidate may be asked to provide references if deemed necessary by the recruiter.
Equal opportunity and impartiality shall apply during the recruitment process. All candidates should be confident that they will be evaluated solely on their capacities pertaining to the project needs.
LuxDev policies and internal regulations represent a further guarantee for equal opportunities and a high level of impartiality during the recruitment process. All candidates should be confident that they will be evaluated solely on their capacities pertaining to the project needs.