Title:  Venture Studio Lead Expert

​Requisition ID: 6830 
Grade: ISA-NOD 
Country: Ghana 
Duty Station: Ho 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application deadline: 08-Jan-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible. 
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.  The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies to a greater or lesser extent to all SDGs.

The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) is UNIDO’s core strategic document. As the Organization moves from the 2022–2025 cycle to the 2026–2029 MTPF, it sets a renewed vision to support Member States shape their industries for development. The new priorities include renewable and clean energy, sustainable access and climate action, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora. 

Under the supervision of the Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment.

The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It promotes circular economy policies, programmes and practices including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

This position is located under the Circular Industrial Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEG/CRE) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to promote the adoption of circular and resource-efficient consumption and production patterns across value chains. It fosters circular economy solutions including policies, programmes, practices, and business models that enhance industry profitability while generating social and environmental benefits. Furthermore, it facilitates design for circularity emphasizing reduced or alternative materials inputs, greater durability, reusability, reparability, and ultimately recyclability. The Unit promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches that support the coexistence of industries and nature.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Project 210154 "Ghana Circular Economy Centre" will create a Circular Economy Centre that will serve as the hub to enable an effective environment for the circular economy in Ghana, by bringing together actors to coordinate and mobilize support to scale up successful circular economy business and technology concepts. Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Centre will assist Ghanaian organizations and small-scale entrepreneurs, to develop and deploy innovative circular economy-based solutions technology solutions in their businesses and social enterprises while generating environmentally sustainable employment in Ghana. It will also mobilize financing from various sources including the private sector for the commercialization of successful piloted technologies. Capacity building and training activities will specifically focus on the needs of women and youth to encourage their full participation in the circular economy. The Centre will ensure that workers within key industries, such as waste management, agro-processing, agriculture and plastics, and particularly the informal sector, can take advantage of new circular economy opportunities. Through policy briefs and advocacy materials, the Project will provide evidence to policymakers to enable a just transition to a circular economy in Ghana.

The Host Institution (HI) of the Centre, Ho Technical University, alongside the priority sector Value Chain (VC) Leads which were so far selected - namely University of Cape Coast, Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy for plastics, The Or Foundation for textiles, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for agri-sector will provide specific interventions within value chains. The HI and VC Leads will provide the requisite local expertise, quality testing, prototyping and laboratory facilities and a core focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and technical skills. In the future, the Center is expected to extend to additional value chains and engage more value chain leads to expand services.

The Project will develop local circular economy-based solutions (including technologies and business models) that can be scaled within the country and West African region and increase Ghana's industrial competitiveness from material productivity and resource efficiency. The project is expected to validate 200 circular technologies and/or business models, train at least 2000 small-scale entrepreneurs and help entrepreneurs in the circular economy space raise at least $10 million in private capital. Beyond its contributions to Ghana's economic growth and climate action, the initiative will reinforce Ghana's leadership in West Africa. Ghana is one of the fastest growing economies on the continent, hosting the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat, and positioning itself to become a regional leader in the circular economy. Private sector resources and expertise will be leveraged through investment and collaboration on high-impact solutions, to stimulate sustainable economic growth in support of development objectives.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Executive Director and in close cooperation with the GCEC project team, the Value Chain Leads, Host Institution and relevant national and international partners, the Venture Studio Lead Expert will be responsible for the design, operationalization, and management of the GCEC Venture Studio. The incumbent will coordinate venture-building activities in partnership with academic institutions, private-sector actors, innovators, and technical experts. The Venture Studio Lead Expert will carry out the following key functions:

Venture Pipeline and Validation

• Identify, assess, and prioritize venture opportunities across circular economy value chains in close collaboration with Value Chain Leads.
• Manage the structured intake, screening, and selection of venture concepts.

• Work with Value Chain Leads to access university labs, technical expertise, student innovators, and faculty mentors for product and process development.
• Design and manage pilot/field-testing frameworks including pilot partner identification, MOUs, technical testing plans, and monitoring protocols.

• Broker partnerships between ventures and corporates for off-take, distribution, technology adoption, and joint piloting and prepare corporate reverse-pitch events.
• Identify anchor firms and supply-chain actors willing to test or integrate circular solutions.

Transaction Advisory and Fundraising Support

• Provide transaction advisory services to venture teams, including financial modelling, unit economics, cost structure analysis, and investment structuring.
• Develop investment teasers, pitch decks, data rooms, and investor briefings for early-stage circular ventures.
• Support ventures in identifying appropriate capital sources (grants, concessional finance, angel investment, impact investment).
• Facilitate investor outreach, introductions, and due diligence preparation in collaboration with the GCEC team.
• Track funding pipelines for all ventures and report investment progress and constraints to the Executive Director.

Portfolio Support and Scaling

• Guide ventures through operations planning, market strategy, partnership development, regulatory compliance, and commercial readiness.
• Design or coordinate targeted training modules, clinics, and workshops with Value Chain Leads, industry partners, and external experts.
• In collaboration with the Knowledge Management and Monitoring and Evaluation Expert, monitor venture KPIs including job creation, revenue milestones, and environmental impacts.
• Facilitate access to private sector partners and complementary technical assistance providers.
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the Executive Director to ensure effective implementation of the venture studio.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Education: Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in business administration, economics, engineering, management, or other relevant discipline is required. Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.

Technical and Functional Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in venture building, startup incubation, innovation management, investment, entrepreneurship, or related fields is required.
• Experience in developing business models, validating early-stage ventures, managing pilots, and supporting startups to scale is required.
• Experience leading or working within a venture studio, accelerator, incubator, or innovation lab is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), online collaboration tools, and digital project management platforms is required.
• Experience working with academic institutions, research centres, or technical teams to commercialize/pilot research is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting ventures in at least one of plastics, textiles, or agriculture and agro-processing sectors is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in project coordination, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement, ideally in a multicultural or development context, is desirable.
• Knowledge of circular economy principles, sustainability frameworks, value-chain transformation, or green entrepreneurship is highly desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of local languages including Akan (Fante/Twi), Ewe, Ga, and/or Dagbani is desirable.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org