Innovation Officer

Department: Innovation Reporting Line: Head of Strategy & Partnerships  No. Of Positions: 1 (one) Innovation Officer Contract Type: An initial one-year employment contract will be offered with the possibility of renewal. Location: Nicosia, Cyprus Indicative Annual Gross Salary Range: €20,000 – 30,000 The salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.  Probation Period: 6 (six) months Preferred Start Date: December 2026, or as soon thereafter. Application Deadline: 15 November 2026.  The Opportunity    The Centre is seeking an Innovation Officer to join its fast-growing team of passionate and enthusiastic professionals and contribute to CYENS’ innovation and knowledge transfer activities. The successful candidate will support the activities of the CYENS Innovation Department, while also contributing to the implementation of strategic projects that strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Cyprus and beyond, including the Cyprus DIGital INNovation Hub 2 (DiGiNN2) project, the Pharos-CY – Cyprus AI Factory Antenna, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community Hub Cyprus.   This is an opportunity to work across a dynamic and diverse innovation ecosystem, collaborating with startups, researchers, industry, public organisations and other key stakeholders, while contributing to projects with a strong impact on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.   Key Responsibilities: - Support the activities of the Innovation Department·         Provide direct support to the Head of Strategy & Partnerships in daily operations, departmental activities and strategic initiatives. ·         Contribute to the preparation of project deliverables and technical or administrative reports. ·         Support the coordination and management of new and ongoing projects. ·         Support proposal development and grant writing for Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and other relevant funding programmes. ·         Assist in preparing presentations, innovation-related documentation and promotional materials for the department. ·         Provide input to the Innovation Department’s strategy by identifying trends, gaps and opportunities within the innovation ecosystem. ·         Support training sessions, workshops and accelerator activities for startups and researchers to enhance innovation capacity in Cyprus. ·         Monitor innovation-related opportunities, partnerships and initiatives relevant to CYENS. ·         Perform any other duties as assigned by management or in accordance with relevant procedures. - Project-based supportSupport the implementation of the Cyprus DIGital INNovation Hub 2 (DiGiNN2), Pharos-CY and/or the EIT Community Hub Cyprus, including: - Support the coordination and management of the relevant projects and activities. - Contribute to the successful achievement of project KPIs and implementation, including relevant deliverables and activities. - Develop and maintain ecosystem mappings. - Organise and participate in networking events with local industry, government and other relevant stakeholders. - Support the organisation of project meetings and events. - Support the development of project deliverables and related reporting. - Collect and analyse data and report on project Key Performance Indicators. - Support other project-related activities as required.  - Support Collaborations & Stakeholder Engagement·         Actively engage with stakeholders, including startups, universities, public bodies, SMEs, corporates and other innovation ecosystem actors, fostering connections and collaboration. ·         Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organisations, ensuring effective collaboration and knowledge exchange. ·         Manage incoming requests, enquiries and communications from stakeholders. ·         Act as a liaison between startups, researchers, investors, venture capitalists and innovation enablers to facilitate meaningful collaborations and the development of entrepreneurial ventures. ·         Organise and coordinate meetings with stakeholders and partner organisations. ·         Represent CYENS at national and international events, promoting the Centre and fostering collaborations. Skills and Competencies The ideal candidate will be: - Self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and work independently. - Organised, with strong communication, presentation and negotiation skills and the ability to deal confidently and professionally with enquiries. - Analytical, with strong attention to detail. - Dynamic, adaptable, hands-on and results-driven. - A team player, with the ability to work effectively under pressure. - Committed, proactive and motivated. - Able to coordinate and deliver on multiple initiatives. - Willing and flexible to travel abroad when and if required.Applicants who meet the following requirements for the HRDA scheme for recent graduates will also be considered:   - Have successfully completed a higher education program of at least three (3) years and hold at least a bachelor's degree/diploma of higher education. - They are under the age of thirty (30). - If the graduate has work experience related to the position, it must not exceed eight (8) months. Key requirements Essential Requirements  - University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or Degree of a level equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree) or Diploma / Certificate or other study title or qualifications in Business Administration, Economics, European Studies, Politics, Engineering, ICT, Mathematics, or relevant field. - Experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership building, or ecosystem development. - Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel. - Language requirements: Excellent written and oral English-language skills are essential.  Desired Requirements:  - A Master’s degree will be considered an advantage. - Relevant experience in project management will be considered an advantage. - Proven experience (1–3 years) in participating in European Projects will be considered an advantage. - Certification in Project Management or equivalent (e.g. PMP, Prince2) will be considered an advantage. - Experience in Innovation-driven or R&D projects will be considered an advantage. - Experience in organising events, workshops, or networking activities will be considered an advantage. - Familiarity with EU institutions, funding programmes, and innovation ecosystems will be considered an asset What CYENS Offers CYENS offers a dynamic, collaborative and international working environment where talented professionals contribute to impactful projects that support innovation, technology and societal advancement. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and collaboration with leading experts and organisations in Cyprus and abroad. For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and clearly indicate the position title in their application:   - Full CV (including contact details). - Cover letter outlining:  - your suitability for the role;  - your motivation for applying; and  - your earliest available start date. -  contact details of two referees. Important Information - For non-EU applicants, a valid work permit will be required. - Incomplete applications will not be considered.  - Applicants who have previously applied for a position at CYENS are required to submit a new application.  - All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.  - CYENS Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates worldwide. For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department at [email protected].