About the Program
The UNICEF StartUp Lab is a six-month tech accelerator programme for impactful startups and businesses working to advance the Sustainable Development Goals for children and young people, across several sectors including education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and child protection. The programme is led by UNICEF in Ghana, supported by KOICA and implemented by MEST Africa.
Since its inception in 2019, the UNICEF StartUp Lab in Ghana has engaged with nearly 80 tech-enabled social impact startups, collectively impacting over 200,000 children and adolescents.
Role Description
The UNICEF StartUp Lab is looking for a passionate and driven Venture Development Manager to join the program implementation team and lead the implementation of the Lab’s venture development strategy. This dynamic position involves working closely with founders to provide strategic guidance, facilitate connections, and ensure that they achieve key milestones. The ideal candidate is passionate about entrepreneurship, possesses strong business acumen, and excels in building and managing relationships.
Role Objective
1. Lead the implementation of the program’s venture development strategy whilst collaborating with management, and the vd team on interventions to enhance startups’ experience
2. Manage a team of 5 project supervisors who will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the day to day venture development activities of startups
3. Lead bi-weekly VDP team meetings with project supervisors to review startup progress and performance per the VDP strategy and metrics
4. Lead venture business diagnostics, needs assessment, and needs prioritization activities in order to source relevant industry talent to support implementation of the VDP strategy
5. Supervise and ensure the successful execution of all startup projects
6. Coordinating pitch training activities to ensure that founders can deliver world class pitches by program end
7. Support investment readiness efforts of program participants whilst facilitating investment opportunities & investor conversations
Job Description - Venture Development Manager
8. Identifying and disseminating relevant ecosystem opportunities for the benefit of program participants
9. Developing reports, presentations and other relevant program documents
10. Conducting detailed qualitative and quantitative data analysis to effectively communicate program outcomes and guide decision making
Skills and Experience
● Bachelor's degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, or a related field
● Minimum 5 years working experience in the startup ecosystem working on accelerator or similar programs
● Passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to support startup success
● Strong organizational and project management skills.
● Proven experience working with startup founders and interacting with investors
● Strong understanding of the startup ecosystem and venture development process.
● Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
● Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders
● Proven experience managing teams
Reports to
Program Manager
Location
Buro, Osu - Accra
Application deadline
Applicants should please submit a resume and a one-page maximum cover letter via the
Jobbylon platform no later than 11:59 PM GMT on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
Salary
Competitive
Monthly based
Location
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana