CcHUB is Africa’s leading innovation and creative ecosystem builder, dedicated to nurturing talent, ideas, and startups across the continent. In 2010, we began as Nigeria's premier innovation center, dedicated to accelerating the application of social capital and technology for economic prosperity in Nigeria. We have since grown our physical presence to five cities (Lagos, Abuja, Kigali, Nairobi, and Windhoek) across Africa, and we work closely with stakeholders - including entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, government, and private sector - to identify and nurture novel solutions to social challenges in Africa.
In 2017, Co-Creation HUB launched Growth Capital in partnership with Omidyar Network, Bank of Industry, and Venture Garden Group to provide early-stage funding for startups driving social change. In February 2019, Co-creation HUB opened a Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda, focusing on Research and Development and Human-Centered Design to enable innovation for social impact. Our Kigali Centre collaborates with global stakeholders to explore the application of technology in addressing Africa’s systemic problems in education, public health, governance, and other areas of our work. In September 2019, we expanded our footprint by acquiring iHUB in Nairobi, Kenya, strengthening our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and innovators across the continent. In 2020, we launched CcHUB Syndicate, an investment vehicle designed to improve capital access for startups and bridge the funding gap in Africa’s innovation ecosystem. In 2021, we established the Creative Economy Practice to drive the growth of Africa’s creative economy by applying innovation and technology. In 2023, we further expanded our presence by opening the Co-creation HUB in Windhoek, Namibia. These expansions have been intentional in contributing to our vision to be Africa's leading pan-African creative and innovation ecosystem enabler.
Since its establishment, CcHUB has supported the development and launch of over 10,000 innovative technology companies that address social challenges across Africa in areas such as budget transparency, agtech, education, fintech, healthcare delivery, the creative economy, and sustainability.
Job Description
Job Purpose
The Director of External Affairs and Innovation Partnerships is a member of the organisation’s senior leadership team, providing strategic and executive oversight, alignment, and leadership across CcHUB’s external-facing functions, including community and ecosystem engagement, Communications, Innovation Hub Strengthening, and Public Sector Relations.
The role ensures that these functions work cohesively to amplify CcHUB’s visibility, deepen ecosystem impact, and unlock new opportunities for growth and partnerships across Africa. A key responsibility is to strengthen engagement with public sector actors and position CcHUB as a trusted partner in driving innovation, creative economy growth, and workforce development on the continent.
This is a leadership role focused on driving alignment across teams, growing Pan-African partnerships, and enabling a vibrant, well-connected innovation ecosystem that advances CcHUB’s sector priorities.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Oversight & Alignment
Provide strategic leadership and alignment across the Community & Ecosystems, Communications, and Innovation Hub Strengthening functions, working through the respective Heads of each function.
Ensure that these functions are fully aligned with CcHUB’s sector priorities (Education, Health, and Creative Industries) and cross-cutting goals (Emerging Tech, Green Tech, and Workforce Development).
Lead cross-functional planning and delivery to strengthen ecosystem visibility, engagement, and partnership development.
2. Public Sector & Policy Engagement
Lead and coordinate public sector engagement strategies across Africa to unlock enabling policies, foster public-private partnerships, and enhance the innovation ecosystem’s public sector engagement.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with ministries, agencies, and regulators across CcHUB’s geographies and sectors of focus.
Represent CcHUB in key public sector platforms, dialogues, and forums to shape the innovation and creative economy agenda.
3. Pan-African Strategic Partnerships
Lead high-level engagement with strategic partners (corporates, multilaterals, foundations, innovation networks) to grow CcHUB’s ecosystem influence and unlock multi-country opportunities.
Identify and pursue ecosystem-building collaborations in new markets aligned to CcHUB’s Pan-African growth plans.
Support the expansion and sustainability of partner hubs across the continent.
4. Strategic Communications & Thought Leadership
Guide the Communications team’s strategic priorities and campaigns to amplify CcHUB’s impact and influence.
Champion thought leadership efforts positioning CcHUB as a Pan-African leader in innovation, creativity, and sectoral transformation.
5. Leadership & People Management
Lead, mentor, and support the Heads of Community & Ecosystems, Communications, and Innovation Hub Strengthening, enabling them to deliver against organizational goals.
Foster cross-team collaboration, shared accountability, and continuous learning across functions.
Key Performance Indicators will include:
- Cross-Functional Alignment
- Public Sector Engagement
- Pan-African Partnerships
- Visibility & Thought Leadership
- Team Leadership
Qualifications
Essential
Exceptional leadership and strategic alignment skills.
Proven stakeholder engagement and partnership development skills.
Strong understanding of public sector operations, particularly in innovation and creative industries.
High-level influencing and negotiation capability across diverse stakeholder groups.
Strategic communications and ecosystem-building mindset.
Experience managing and aligning cross-functional teams and leaders.
Experience
Minimum 12 years of leadership experience in ecosystem development, public affairs, partnerships, or external relations.
Demonstrated success in driving public sector collaboration and ecosystem strengthening initiatives.
Experience leading Pan-African or multi-country initiatives.
Experience in or exposure to innovation, technology, or creative industries.
Previous C Suite experience is an added advantage
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, International Development, Business, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
Professional development or certifications in public affairs, ecosystem development, or partnerships are an advantage.
Additional Information
Please note this is an onsite role in Nairobi, Kenya, or Lagos, Nigeria
Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) is an equal opportunity employer. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Company conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.