Innovation Officer

The Danish Embassy in Nairobi is looking for a new member of staff:

Position: Innovation Officer to the upcoming Innovation Centre in Nairobi

Type of contract: Fixed Term Two Year Local Contract with possibility of extension

Starting date: Soonest possible

Location: Royal Danish Embassy, 13 Runda Drive, Runda, Nairobi

Deadline for application: TBA

Background

The Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi represents Denmark in Kenya, Seychelles, Eritrea, Mauritius and Malawi as well as the United Nations in Nairobi. It manages development and stabilization cooperation linked to Kenya and follows political and economic developments.

Innovation Centre Denmark – Opening at the Danish Embassy, August 2026

Are you passionate about innovation, partnerships, and translating ideas into tangible impact? Do you have strong insight into Kenya’s innovation ecosystem and the ability to connect people, knowledge, and opportunities?

Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) is opening a new regional hub in Nairobi, and we are looking for a dynamic and driven Innovation Officer to join our team.

About Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK)
ICDK is part of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science. We build bridges between Denmark and global innovation ecosystems, helping Danish companies, researchers, and public institutions access cutting-edge knowledge, partners, and markets.

The Innovation Centre will be located at the Danish Embassy in Nairobi and will cover Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa with colleagues in Nigeria and South Africa and play a key role in strengthening collaboration within green transition, health, and digitalisation.

Your role:

As Innovation Officer, you will be a key local resource in building and strengthening ICDK’s presence in Africa. You will help identify opportunities, connect stakeholders, and ensure
that ideas are turned into concrete collaborations and projects.

Your tasks will include:

• Mapping and analysing the Kenyan innovation ecosystem (startups, universities, corporates, public sector actors, capital)
  
• Identifying relevant partners and opportunities for Danish stakeholders
  
• Supporting development and execution of innovation projects, delegations, and partnerships
  
• Facilitating collaboration between Danish and local partners
  
• Contributing to advisory services for Danish companies and institutions
  
• Building and maintaining a strong local network within innovation and knowledge environments
  
• Supporting communication and visibility of ICDK Nairobi activities.
  

Your profile
We are looking for someone who combines strategic understanding with a hands-on, execution-oriented mindset.

Required qualifications:

• Proven experience working with innovation, entrepreneurship, or research collaboration
  
• Strong knowledge of the Kenyan innovation ecosystem and key stakeholders
  
• Demonstrated ability to turn ideas into actionable initiatives and results
  
• Relevant higher education degree (e.g. innovation, business, development, engineering, or similar)
  
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
  
• Demonstrated competencies with administration and financial compliance.
  

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with international organisations, embassies, or advisory services
  
• Familiarity with Danish or European innovation ecosystems is an advantage
  
• Experience in facilitating partnerships or multi-stakeholder projects.
  

Personal competencies:

• Proactive and self-driven
  
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
  
• Structured and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
  
• Curious and analytical, with a strong interest in innovation and societal impact
  
• Able to navigate both strategic discussions and practical implementation.
  

We offer:

• A unique opportunity to help build a new regional innovation hub from the ground up
  
• A dynamic international working environment
  
• Close collaboration with Danish and international partners
  
• Opportunities for professional and personal development
  
• A two-year contract with the possibility of extension.
  

The Innovation Officer will be employed according to regulations for local staff at the Danish Embassy in Nairobi. Employment is subject to successful security clearance obtained from the relevant Danish authorities.

How to Apply

Interested individuals are invited to submit a 1-page Cover Letter and CV to FUZU no later than 31st May.

The email subject should be “Innovation Officer”

Please note that we will not consider late and applications that are not done in the requested format.

The Royal Danish Embassy encourages all relevant applicants to apply for the position, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, personal background, etc.

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

The applicant must present a “No Criminal Record” and pass the security clearance prior to appointment.