Job ID
45499
Job Title
Technical Assistance Lead for Accelerate Prosperity
To work for
Aga Khan Foundation
Country
Syria
City
Damascus
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
The Aga Khan Foundation in Syria seeks to employ a full-time Technical Assistance Lead for Accelerate Prosperity for its office in Damascus.
JOB NUMBER: AP/ 03
ACCELERATE PROSPERITY:
Accelerate Prosperity initiative (AP) launched in 2016 as a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s Industrial Promotion Services (AKFED-IPS). AP’s overall mandate is to create an inclusive and prosperous society powered by entrepreneurs. Through a mix of technical support and tailored financing for start-ups, small and growing businesses (SGBs), AP facilitates entrepreneurship, employment especially for youth and women and socio-economic development within its relevant geographies.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Technical Assistance (TA) Lead position is an exciting and dynamic role that involves running the accelerator and guiding AP portfolio of startups toward becoming industry leaders. His/ Her focus will be on cultivating AP's network of trusted Small and Growing Business (SGB) ecosystem partners, implementing the accelerator playbook, and ensuring the optimal experience for founders. This includes fostering meaningful local and international partnerships with corporate actors, business mentors, government bodies, NGOs, donors, and other VC/accelerators.
In the capacity as TA Lead, he/she will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of AP programs. This involves mentoring startups, organizing insightful talks by external mentors, facilitating meetings with investors, managing administrative and logistical duties, budget management and planning, recruiting additional mentors, partners, and investors, as well as contributing to the hiring, training, and management of department staff
The TA Lead reports to the AP Country Director on all activities, business planning, partnerships, and associated day-to-day matters, as well as overall performance. He/she will also report to the AP Executive Management Team on TA-related matters and participate in global meetings.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Program Oversight:
- Oversee all aspects of the program, including incubation and acceleration cycles, reporting and data management, and the development of pre and post-investment technical assistance.
- Ensure the seamless execution of AP’s incubation and acceleration cycles, collaborating closely with the investment and marketing teams. Manage diverse cycles, covering verticals such as Green Solutions, Tech-enabled solutions, Adventure tourism, women-only ventures, and various sector-agnostic programs.
* Technical Assistance Design:
- Lead the design of technical assistance interventions for portfolio businesses, encompassing the entire incubation and acceleration process along with pre and post-investment support.
- Drive the design and creation of AP’s online courses and distance learning materials tailored for Incubation and Acceleration Programs.
* Reporting and Data Management: Take responsibility for program reporting on a quarterly, bi-annual, and annual basis, covering internal management reports, governance requirements, and donor reporting.
* Startup Growth Support: Provide assistance to startups in their growth and business development needs through mentorship programs, industry linkages, stakeholder engagement, and in-house events. Ensure timely reporting in alignment with program requirements.
* Entrepreneurial Resource Programs: Develop programs leveraging entrepreneurial resources to support the development of innovative and impactful entrepreneurship.
* Partnership Building: Build strategic partnerships with stakeholders, ecosystem players, mentors, venture capitalists, government bodies, talent, and other ecosystem enablers. This includes both financial and technical support for AP’s startups.
* Post-Investment Technical Assistance: Identify, design, and execute post-investment technical assistance for AP’s portfolio businesses. This involves executive education, exposure visits, mentorship programs, and facilitating supply chain and market linkages.
* Investment Platform/ Roadshow: Lead the organization of investment platform/roadshow events to connect startups with global investment opportunities.
* Training and Advisory:
- Collaborate with the Country Director and other team members in delivering pre-financing financing-readiness technical assistance to select entrepreneurs, working closely with AP investment analysts, trainers, mentors/advisors, and investors.
- Deliver post-financing technical assistance to select entrepreneurs, in liaison with AP investment analysts, trainers, mentors/advisors, and investors.
.
JOB NUMBER: AP/ 03
ACCELERATE PROSPERITY:
Accelerate Prosperity initiative (AP) launched in 2016 as a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s Industrial Promotion Services (AKFED-IPS). AP’s overall mandate is to create an inclusive and prosperous society powered by entrepreneurs. Through a mix of technical support and tailored financing for start-ups, small and growing businesses (SGBs), AP facilitates entrepreneurship, employment especially for youth and women and socio-economic development within its relevant geographies.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Technical Assistance (TA) Lead position is an exciting and dynamic role that involves running the accelerator and guiding AP portfolio of startups toward becoming industry leaders. His/ Her focus will be on cultivating AP's network of trusted Small and Growing Business (SGB) ecosystem partners, implementing the accelerator playbook, and ensuring the optimal experience for founders. This includes fostering meaningful local and international partnerships with corporate actors, business mentors, government bodies, NGOs, donors, and other VC/accelerators.
In the capacity as TA Lead, he/she will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of AP programs. This involves mentoring startups, organizing insightful talks by external mentors, facilitating meetings with investors, managing administrative and logistical duties, budget management and planning, recruiting additional mentors, partners, and investors, as well as contributing to the hiring, training, and management of department staff
The TA Lead reports to the AP Country Director on all activities, business planning, partnerships, and associated day-to-day matters, as well as overall performance. He/she will also report to the AP Executive Management Team on TA-related matters and participate in global meetings.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Program Oversight:
- Oversee all aspects of the program, including incubation and acceleration cycles, reporting and data management, and the development of pre and post-investment technical assistance.
- Ensure the seamless execution of AP’s incubation and acceleration cycles, collaborating closely with the investment and marketing teams. Manage diverse cycles, covering verticals such as Green Solutions, Tech-enabled solutions, Adventure tourism, women-only ventures, and various sector-agnostic programs.
* Technical Assistance Design:
- Lead the design of technical assistance interventions for portfolio businesses, encompassing the entire incubation and acceleration process along with pre and post-investment support.
- Drive the design and creation of AP’s online courses and distance learning materials tailored for Incubation and Acceleration Programs.
* Reporting and Data Management: Take responsibility for program reporting on a quarterly, bi-annual, and annual basis, covering internal management reports, governance requirements, and donor reporting.
* Startup Growth Support: Provide assistance to startups in their growth and business development needs through mentorship programs, industry linkages, stakeholder engagement, and in-house events. Ensure timely reporting in alignment with program requirements.
* Entrepreneurial Resource Programs: Develop programs leveraging entrepreneurial resources to support the development of innovative and impactful entrepreneurship.
* Partnership Building: Build strategic partnerships with stakeholders, ecosystem players, mentors, venture capitalists, government bodies, talent, and other ecosystem enablers. This includes both financial and technical support for AP’s startups.
* Post-Investment Technical Assistance: Identify, design, and execute post-investment technical assistance for AP’s portfolio businesses. This involves executive education, exposure visits, mentorship programs, and facilitating supply chain and market linkages.
* Investment Platform/ Roadshow: Lead the organization of investment platform/roadshow events to connect startups with global investment opportunities.
* Training and Advisory:
- Collaborate with the Country Director and other team members in delivering pre-financing financing-readiness technical assistance to select entrepreneurs, working closely with AP investment analysts, trainers, mentors/advisors, and investors.
- Deliver post-financing technical assistance to select entrepreneurs, in liaison with AP investment analysts, trainers, mentors/advisors, and investors.
.
Qualifications
- The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Management, or a related field (Master’s degree is an asset).
- Prior experience in the startup/SME ecosystem space will also be counted towards it.
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience in business development programs, business incubation, or accelerator management.
- Proven understanding of the business ecosystem, entrepreneurship development, and access-to-finance mechanisms.
- Strong knowledge of business modeling, customer development, and lean startup methodologies.
- Preferably experience in mentoring startups and working with entrepreneurs on growth and investment strategies.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
- Ability to work proactively, independently, and collaboratively within a diverse and dynamic team environment.
- Familiarity with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Syria is a strong advantage.
- Fluency in English and Syrian is required; proficiency in other regional languages is a plus.
- Prior experience in the startup/SME ecosystem space will also be counted towards it.
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience in business development programs, business incubation, or accelerator management.
- Proven understanding of the business ecosystem, entrepreneurship development, and access-to-finance mechanisms.
- Strong knowledge of business modeling, customer development, and lean startup methodologies.
- Preferably experience in mentoring startups and working with entrepreneurs on growth and investment strategies.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, including the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
- Ability to work proactively, independently, and collaboratively within a diverse and dynamic team environment.
- Familiarity with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Syria is a strong advantage.
- Fluency in English and Syrian is required; proficiency in other regional languages is a plus.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Deadline for application submission is Wednesday, December 10th 2025.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Salary and Benefits
According to AKF Salary Scale
Health and Life Insurance.
Health and Life Insurance.
About us
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected incumbent must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected incumbent must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Nov 18, 2025
Expiry Date
Dec 18, 2025
CV Language
English
