DT Global
Malawi Challenge Manager – Bicycle Innovation Programme
Background to the Bicycle Innovation Program
The Bicycle Innovation Program is a $5.11 million Open Innovation Program (OIP). This program sits within the USAID Innovation Design, Execution, and Acceleration Support (IDEAS) mechanism as part of the USAID Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub’s Innovation Division (ITR/I). The mechanism is being run by the USAID Exploratory Programs and Innovation Competitions (EPIC) team with support from a consortium made up of Encompass, Challenge Works, DT Global and Itad. DT Global is leading the Bicycle Innovation Program’s implementation phase.
The Bicycle Innovation Program aims to enhance economic opportunities, improve productivity and increase access to essential services through the increased adoption of bicycles in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Program aims to achieve this by incentivizing the development and scaling of innovative solutions relating to bicycles in Malawi and Zambia. An upcoming Request for applications will be launched in November 2024 and will remain open until January 2025. Successful applicants to the Program will receive both financial and non-financial support. Again, the details of the Program are still to be confirmed, but this is likely to include a total of $2.2 million of grant funding. Successful applicants will also receive non-financial support, both virtually and in-person to support the development of their solutions. This is likely to include training, mentoring and engagement events.
Objective
The Malawi Challenge Manager will coordinate all preparation and implementation activities of the Bicycle Innovation programme in Malawi. In close coordination with the Regional Challenge Manager, the Malawi Challenge Manager will ensure the timely delivery of workplan activities, identify and foster strong relationships with local stakeholders, potential grantees and third parties, and support compliance with USAID, IDEAS and DT Global rules and regulations.
Scope of Work
The Malawi Challenge Manager will be responsible for the successful delivery of the Challenge in Malawi, working closely with, and under the direction of the Regional Challenge Manager. You will be supported by a local communications partner and a local non-financial support partner. The role will include, but not be limited to the following:
| Deliverable | Details |
| Stakeholder Engagement and MobilizationApproximate time: 20% | Review the outreach tracker and provide input on the identified stakeholders, offering additional insights and suggestions to promote the challenge and help diversify the pool of applicants. |
| Assist in engaging key local stakeholders (government, private sector, NGOs, etc.) to increase awareness of the innovation challenge and drive applications. | |
| Provide on-the-ground support for information dissemination related to the challenge, including outreach. | |
| Help moderate Q&A sessions for applicants to address inquiries and share updates about the innovation challenge. | |
| Support the challenge process by assessing and managing the applicants, being the main point of contact for Malawi innovators, conducting due diligence checks and site visits as needed, assisting in company registration and sharing regular updates. | |
| Assessment and JudgingApproximate time: 20% | Support the Regional Challenge Manager by identifying local judges for the assessment process and help to coordinate judges while they evaluate submissions by developing briefing materials, answering questions and providing real-time communication. |
| Help to assess applications to the Challenge in line with the evaluation criteria and eligibility requirements. Help to identify other local assessors as needed. | |
| Communications and Community EngagementApproximate time: 15% | Manage and moderate WhatsApp groups or other communication platforms to facilitate targeted discussions among innovation challenge participants and interested stakeholders. |
| Foster an active community of innovators by facilitating ongoing conversations and sharing relevant information across the Challenge’s platform and social media channels. | |
| Work closely with the local communications partner to ensure deliverables are on target and on time, as outlined in the communications strategy. Additionally, help disseminate and promote communication content to maximize impact. | |
| Non-financial support/ PartnershipsApproximate time: 10% | Support the identification of partnerships with local financial institutions, donors, venture capitalists, and service providers to offer financial and non-financial support to grantees. |
| Build and manage strong relationships with local innovation hubs to create a support ecosystem for participants.In particular help to manage the local non-financial support partner who will be responsible for providing training and mentoring for local grantees. | |
| Event and Logistic SupportApproximate time: 15% | Assist the Regional Challenge Manager in reviewing and suggesting venues and completing security clearances for local roundtables, information sessions, launch and award events and judging meetings. |
| Lead in the logistics for in-person events, ensuring they adhere to DT Global’s security and operational policies and processes. | |
| Supporting the logistics for a bootcamp, bringing together innovators from both Malawi and Zambia for skills development and networking led by the Non-Financial support partner. | |
| Coordinate and assist in the planning of local information sessions to encourage applicants to apply to the challenge. | |
| Advisory on Local ContextApproximate time: 5% | Provide insights into the local landscape, including advice on suitable organizations, partners, and challenges faced by local innovators. |
| Provide translation support and cultural guidance as needed when navigating relationships with local stakeholders and applicants. | |
| Project ManagementApproximate time: 15% | Support with due diligence, contracting, travel requests and invoicing for all local stakeholders (judges, assessors, partners etc). |
| Provide regular updates and reports on progress, challenges, and outcomes to the Regional Challenge Manager and DT Global Project Team. Input into quarterly/annual reporting as needed and help to identify risks to be added to the risk register. | |
| Join consortium calls and meetings with USAID, the IDEAS team, DT Global, and other stakeholders as required, providing feedback and recommendations. |
Duration and Timeline
The Bicycle Innovation Program is expected to run until mid-2026. DT Global would like to issue an initial contract for the Challenge Manager from November 2024 – August 2025, averaging 10 days per month with the exception of January and February, where days increase to 19 days per month. Subject to available funding from USAID the Challenge Manager role will be extended from August 2025-August 2026.
Reporting Line:
The Malawi Challenge Manager will report to the Regional Challenge Manager and DT Global IDEAS Team and collaborate closely with local stakeholders and innovation hubs.
Required experience:
Relevant domain expertise
- A background in innovation, international development, project management, or consulting
- Knowledge of the Malawi innovation and international development ecosystem
Strong programme and client management
- Supporting the design and delivery of international development/ innovation programmes, with an appreciation for cost and delivery focus.
- Ability to design and manage high profile programmes and to set and achieve ambitious deadlines. Making sure that each stage of the project is progressing on time and reporting regularly on progress.
- Solid organisational, prioritisation and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and track multiple projects simultaneously.
- Relevant experience in project management including familiarity with due diligence, contracting, as well as reviewing invoices and expenses.
- Experience with organising events such as roundtables, launch/award events, judging meetings, bootcamps etc.
Diverse partnership building
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders including funders, sector stakeholders, suppliers and judges
Excellent communications skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with specialist and general interest audiences, including through media.
To apply
Applications will be reviewed on a revolving basis, so please apply as soon as possible. The final deadline is 26th November 2024. To apply please send a full CV, with contact details of references, and your proposed day rate in USD, to bikes@dt-global.com
Interviews will be held on line for those that are shortlisted. References will be followed up for the successful candidate.