Purpose:
Hunter iF Limited is currently recruiting for an Upper Hunter Regional Co-Ordinator position to support its commitments to the Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund program.
What is the Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund (ARIF) Program?
A start-up, innovation, commercialisation, advisory and training ‘distributed’ regional accelerator program for individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial company founders to support the transition to the Circular Economy. It is led by The Business Centre in collaboration with Hunter iF Limited and Boomerang Labs.
Programs funded under the Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund will support businesses to:
- develop business capability and performance
- expand networks within the regional NSW innovation ecosystem
- achieve growth in revenue and profitability
- access capital raising opportunities
- create sustainable jobs in regional NSW.
The focus industries for this particular project are advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and gas (‘renewables’) and recycling and waste management (circular economy).
Role outline:
To work alongside Hunter iF Limited EO and Board to ensure that activities of the Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund grant are executed in Upper Hunter LGAs, primarily Singleton and Muswellbrook. Other target LGAs are Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.
All efforts should include elements related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Synergies with other project efforts are a plus, such as attracting participants to The Business Centre’s mentoring program or the circular economy accelerator offered by Boomerang Labs.
The coordinator’s activities would include, but are not limited to, the following.
A. Establish and support connections for individuals, start ups and SMEs that lead to expert advisory sessions with business mentors provided by The Business Centre.
B. Identify and recruit SME managers to attend a master class on innovation in one or more of the target areas – advanced manufacturing, renewables and/or circular economy. Master classes are scheduled to be held at the Hunter Innovation Festival in 2023 and 2024.
C. Work with Hunter iF Limited and regional professional bodies and interest groups to host networking sessions – such as an innovation or an evening guest speaker – around the region (outside Newcastle). This effort includes a regional roadshow leading up to the Hunter Innovation Festival in 2023 and 2024. For example, liaise with a group focusing on women in technical professions to enable them to host an event in Singleton focused on opportunities for innovation related to renewable energy. Elicit bids for – and take part in overseeing – mini-grants from Hunter iF Limited to support these events.
D. Work with interest groups and professional bodies to cultivate participation in a jobs board on NewiHub and a network for equity groups, such as women, Aboriginal people, disabled, and the neurodiverse.
E. Assist with connections in business and government to support streams in the Hunter Innovation Festival in circular economy, renewables and advanced manufacturing.
Core Deliverables and Skills
- Relationship building and management across for purpose, public sector, education and private organisations in order to create deliverables;
- Ability to work independently, and take initiative, while keeping Hunter iF Limited and project partners informed and engaged;
- Coordinate timing and cross-promote Hunter iF Limited’s activities with the Boomerang Labs/Start House stream;
- Focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) groups, including ensuring events delivery and start up / scale up of the online jobs board through promotion and maintenance; and
- Work with the Hunter iF Limited EO and Board to leverage current activities across the Upper Hunter.
Success indicators:
To be agreed with Hunter iF Limited in advance of commencement. Indicators are to be aligned with the grant deliverables and with aspirations to sustain these engagement and networking activities after the grant period.
The detail:
Starting immediately, with a timeframe of approximately 18 months, hoping to move to an ongoing role.
Work can be delivered via a hybrid model, virtually and in person and will look to the judgment of the Co-ordinator as to what way to work when (for example, key events will hold an expectation of face to face).
Average of 1 day per week paid at an hourly rate. This rate is to be agreed with Hunter iF Limited prior to the commencement of the role.
Next steps:
If you are interested in this role, please contact eo@hunterif.com.au and/or Claire Quigley at Claire.quigley@launchpad9.com.au