Innovation Lead

Role Overview

The Innovation Lead will be responsible for championing and coordinating innovative initiatives within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector at Midlands State University, based in Gweru, Zimbabwe. This role aims to foster a strong culture of technology-driven innovation, guiding the development and commercialization of ICT advancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support initiatives focused on ICT innovation, driving disruptive technological advancements within the University.
• Provide expert technical guidance on ICT-related product and software development, systems innovation, automation, and research.
• Collaborate proactively across academic departments, researchers, students, industry, and community stakeholders to identify promising ICT innovations and intellectual property with commercial potential.
• Advise on pathways for protection, development, scaling, and commercialization of ICT intellectual property created by the University.
• Identify and facilitate partnerships with industry and community organizations for joint development, testing, and commercialization of innovative ICT solutions.
• Support prototype development, minimum viable products, digital platforms, and technology solutions emerging within the University's innovation ecosystem.
• Offer technical advice to the Innovation Manager on ICT investments, collaborations, contracts, and commercialization prospects.
• Provide mentorship and incubation support to innovators engaged in ICT projects.
• Assist in drafting project proposals, business cases, innovation briefs, concept notes, and commercialization strategies for ICT innovations.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, fintech, data analytics, cloud computing, IoT, blockchain, and other relevant digital fields.
• Prepare periodic reports including monthly updates, project status, technical briefs, and other documentation as required by the Innovation Manager.
• Undertake any additional duties assigned by the Innovation Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a related ICT discipline.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in research & development, ICT innovation, software or systems development, technology commercialization, or digital transformation.
• Possession of or progress toward a Master's degree in ICT or Innovation Management is a plus.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Strong expertise in ICT systems, software development, and emerging digital technologies.
• Comprehensive understanding of innovation ecosystems, intellectual property, technology transfer, and research commercialization.
• Capability to identify and help develop commercially viable ICT innovations into market-ready products/services.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, project management, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, report writing, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with students, researchers, academic departments, industry partners, and community groups.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with support for technology startups, spin-offs, and commercialization activities.
• High professionalism, creativity, initiative, integrity, and keen attention to detail.