GLIA Impact Hub: Community and Acceleration Consultant

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Future Technologies Activity (FTA) continues USAID’s legacy of sector competitiveness programming, building on lessons learned and adaptations, relationships, and local partner trust achieved by previous programs over the past 15 years. Building on previous successes in facilitating the development of diverse local partners, FTA uses a global market systems framework to continue to build capacity for sustainable, systemic progress while applying best practices to new partners and sectors.

One of FTA’s program objectives is promoting economic growth, fostering innovation, and advancing gender equality. FTA seeks to unlock the untapped potential of Moldova's entrepreneurial women community, driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable development. To achieve this, FTA supported the launching of the GLIA Impact Hub at the Academy of Economic Studies from Moldova. The implementing partner is The Association of Women Entrepreneurs from Moldova (AFAM).

GLIA Impact Hub is the first transformative platform that empowers students and women entrepreneurs in Moldova. The hub is a dynamic ecosystem nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation, catering not only to women entrepreneurs but also to aspiring future entrepreneurs. By providing resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities, GLIA aims to fuel the growth of startups and foster a culture of innovation, empowering women to realize their entrepreneurial ambitions and drive economic progress.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Community and Acceleration Consultant will be embedded in GLIA Impact Hub, under the supervision of Glia’s Executive Director and FTA’s Education Team Lead. The role of the consultant is to design and implement a Pre-Accelerator Program targeting students, women entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs at GLIA Impact Hub, focusing on fostering innovation, creativity, and technological adoption among participants. The program aims to support the growth and development of women-led startups in Moldova and a community related to it.

The distribution of working days per activity may vary slightly, but will not exceed a total of 50 working days in total for this assignment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Design a comprehensive Pre-Accelerator Program tailored for women entrepreneurs that aligns with GLIA's mission and objectives.

• Design program modules, workshops, and activities to nurture creativity, encourage innovation, and promote technology adoption among women entrepreneurs.
• Lead the implementation of the Pre-Accelerator Program, ensuring effective coordination and support for program participants.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to participants, supporting them in generating innovative ideas and developing their startups.
• Conduct workshops, training sessions, and networking events to enhance the participants' entrepreneurial skills and foster a sense of community and collaboration.
• Upon need, recruit other mentors to deliver Pre-Accelerator Program modules.
• Work closely with GLIA Impact Hub's team to organize demo days or pitch events for participants to showcase their innovative ideas.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of the Pre-Accelerator Program, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) including participant numbers, idea generation, and technology adoption rates.
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates for FTA and for GLIA Impact Hub's management team.
• Provide recommendations for future initiatives related to Pre-Accelerators for women.
• Performs other duties as necessary or assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in relevant field: business administration, product management, entrepreneurship, innovation, or a related field.
• More than five years of experience in building communities, accelerators programs, as well as more than five years of experience in a management position or running a business/startup.
• Possess the ability to create structured program outlines, workshop curricula, and mentorship frameworks tailored to the needs of participants.
• Experience in empowering women through mentorship, resources, and opportunities for growth.
• An understanding of concepts such as design thinking; strong business acumen and presentation skills; highly proficient at project planning, budgeting, and oversight.
• A solid understanding of innovation and how it should be applied in business.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with various industry stakeholders.
• Fluency in Romanian and proficiency in English preferred with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills; demonstrated versatility, and integrity.
• Forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic situations.

TIMELINE & EXPECTED LEVEL OF EFFORT (LOE)

The assignment will begin on/about October 1, 2024, and end on/about December 31, 2024. The distribution of LOE days per activity may vary slightly, but will not exceed a total of 50 working days in total for this assignment.

DELIVRABLES

1. Pre-Accelerator Concept
2. Detailed Pre-Accelerator program
3. Coordination and implementation of the Pre-Accelerator Program
4. Final evaluation report summarizing the impact of the Pre-Accelerator Program on women entrepreneurs at GLIA Impact Hub.
5. Recommendation for future programs.

REPORTING & PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The consultant will report to the Education Team Lead, or her designee, who will be responsible for supervising the consultants’ performance, in coordination with Glia’s Executive Director. The consultant will perform their duties at Glia Impact Hub.

Application Instructions  

Please send an email with your CV attached and “Community and Acceleration Consultant” in the subject line to office@chemonics.md by September 20, 2024. 

No telephone inquiries, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only finalists will be contacted. 

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.