Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) is seeking a dynamic and results-driven professional on a one year contract, renewable, as a Research Commercialisation Broker & TTO Specialist to drive the commercialisation of research resulting in at least two research works commercialised over a one-year period. This role builds on work done by the Ghana Research and Industry Collaborative (GRIC), hosted by Impact Investing Ghana, a national collaborative that fosters collaboration and innovation between researchers and industry stakeholders and facilitates financing for such initiatives. Comprising universities, applied research institutions, firms, government entities, and international partners. As a catalyst for collaboration, GRIC identifies industry research needs, mobilises research outputs, supports research development, facilitates stakeholder collaboration, organises learning workshops, hosts policy dialogues, and advocates for resources to support research and innovation. By bridging the research-industry gap, GRIC aims to unlock Ghana’s untapped potential in research and innovation for national development.
The Research Commercialisation Broker & TTO Specialist role is key in connecting research innovations with industry partners, driving the practical application and commercialisation of research outputs. The specialist will work closely with GRIC’s existing initiatives, including knowledge translation efforts (industry-friendly research summaries) and GRIC Industry Brief Sessions, to facilitate partnerships that drive innovation adoption and sustainable growth. A key aspect of this role is to broker commercialisation deals between researchers and industry/investors and to use the learnings to set up a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) as a service and support researchers and institutions in protecting and commercialising their intellectual property to ensure the long-term sustainability of GRIC’s commercialisation efforts.
Reporting to: Senior Research and Policy Officer
To apply: Email a cover letter and CV to hr@impactinvestinggh.org
Deadline: 28/02/2025. However, applications will be viewed on a rolling basis, so early applicants will have an advantage.
Compensation: Competitive based on experience
Responsibilities
The Research Commercialisation Broker & Technology Transfer Office Specialist will be responsible for driving the commercialisation of research innovations, facilitating knowledge transfer between researchers and industry partners, and establishing a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) as a service to support ongoing innovation efforts of GRIC. This role involves providing technical guidance on intellectual property management and fostering strategic partnerships to ensure the successful application and sustainability of research outcomes. In collaboration with the GRIC Team, the specialist will:
Research Commercialisation
- Enable a minimum of two research works to be commercialised within a 12-month time frame by identifying relevant research and brokering successful commercialisation deals with relevant industry actors.
- Identify high-potential research outputs and connect them with relevant industry partners to drive commercialisation;
- Facilitate negotiations for research licensing, product development partnerships, and commercialisation agreements;
- Provide guidance on intellectual property (IP) protection, licensing strategies, and market entry approaches, complementing GRIC knowledge translation efforts;
- Support researchers who have research with very high commercial value to create industry-friendly summaries of research outputs to enhance their uptake by industry partners, including use of GRIC existing materials;
Technology Transfer Office (TTO) Piloting and Development
- Lead the pilot phase of establishing a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) as a service, creating a blueprint for its operations and long-term sustainability;
- Work with academic and research institutions to establish technology transfer policies, frameworks, and support systems, ensuring they align with GRIC’s ongoing commercialisation strategies;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including universities, research institutions, industry partners, and policymakers, to facilitate research commercialisation;
- Generate detailed reports that capture key learnings, challenges, opportunities, and recommendations
- Perform additional tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
- Minimum of a Master’s degree in Business Development, Technology Transfer, Innovation Management, or a related field
- 7+ years of work experience, facilitating investment or business deals as a transaction advisor, business consultant or similar with a proven track record of success..
- Experience establishing or supporting innovation-driven initiatives..
- Understanding of Intellectual Property (IP) management, licensing, and commercialisation.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
- Strategic thinker, aligning commercialisation efforts with industry needs and skilled in negotiation.
- Strong leadership, team collaboration, and project management skills.
- Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive work environment.
About Impact Investing Ghana
Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) is an independent private-sector-led initiative promoting sustainable development and advancing the development of the impact investment ecosystem in Ghana. Established as a nonprofit, IIGh is the Ghana National Partner of GSG Impact. GSG Impact, active in over 50 countries, works to progress the transformation of global financial systems so that every investment, business and government spending decision takes into account impact, as well as risk and return. IIGh aims to tackle Ghana’s pressing social and environmental challenges by driving more capital to deliver real impact. IIGh has an ambitious plan to support the growth of impact ventures and to catalyze $1 billion in impact funds for investment in impact ventures in Ghana and the West African sub-region, prioritizing areas such as reducing underemployment and unemployment, reducing inequality gaps, and addressing climate and environmental issues. We deliver relevant research, drive collaboration in the ecosystem, and the creation of collaborative projects such as https://dealsourceafrica.co/, the Ghana Enterprise Support Organisation Collaborative https://esoghana.org/, the Ghana Angel Investor Network, and the Ghana Research Industry Impact Investing Collaborative https://gricghana.org/, among others.