Innovation Section Head

About the Role

The Innovation Section Head plays a pivotal role in advancing the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi's innovation strategy, underpinning strategic initiatives that bolster Abu Dhabi's status as a worldwide leader in innovation related to water, energy, sustainability, and technology. Positioned within the Chairman's Office, this role focuses on forging strategic alliances, spearheading innovation programs, attracting pioneering technologies, nurturing the innovation ecosystem, and facilitating the testing, commercialization, and deployment of cutting-edge solutions.

The scope of innovation spans multiple sectors including water, power, district cooling, and petroleum products, encompassing technologies such as desalination, agritech-driven groundwater use, wastewater treatment and reuse, rainwater harvesting, power generation, transmission and distribution, energy efficiency, decarbonization, sustainability initiatives, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other emerging fields critical to Abu Dhabi's strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute strategic innovation projects that align with the Department's priorities.
• Support establishment and growth of innovation platforms, centres of excellence, demonstration sites, and ecosystem development ventures.
• Create operating models, governance structures, business plans, action frameworks, and stakeholder engagement tactics for pivotal programs.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with public agencies, utilities, technology firms, academic institutions, investors, startups, and global collaborators.
• Scout, evaluate, and onboard breakthrough technologies supporting Abu Dhabi's water, energy, sustainability, and economic goals.
• Direct technology scouting, competitive intelligence, benchmarking, and partnership cultivation efforts.
• Oversee innovation pilot schemes, demonstrations, and validation projects.
• Facilitate innovation activities across water, power, district cooling, and petroleum sectors with an emphasis on decarbonization, sustainability, resilience, resource efficiency, and transformative approaches.
• Advance deployment of technologies including AI, robotics, automation, advanced data analytics, digital twins, and smart infrastructure.
• Elevate Abu Dhabi's standing as a global innovation hub through strategic collaborations, international partnerships, and participation in leading industry events.
• Prepare strategic documentation such as reports, presentations, briefing notes, and recommendations for DOE leadership and the Chairman's Office.
• Track worldwide trends in technology and innovation to uncover sector-relevant opportunities.
• Represent the DOE in diverse engagements including stakeholder meetings, working groups, steering committees, and international conferences.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a pertinent field such as Engineering or Innovation Management.
• A minimum of 8 years' experience in innovation management and research & development sectors.