We are looking for a passionate and proactive Idea Lab Coordinator to spark innovation and nurture community-led projects within the GlobalRomania platform. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing ideas to life, thrives in collaborative environments, and enjoys guiding others from inspiration to action. As we grow our global community, you’ll help create a space where Romanian professionals and creatives can co-create impactful initiatives and turn great ideas into real change.

What you will do:

  • Review past IdeaLab sessions: map all ideas pitched, their status, and what stopped them 
    from moving forward,
  • Identify patterns: what types of ideas gain traction, what resources are missing, what the 
    community is ready to act on,
  • Produce a short diagnostic: the untapped potential of IdeaLab, with concrete 
    recommendations,
  • Design and document the IdeaLab pipeline: Idea → Community interest → Resource matching 
    Define clear decision gates: what moves forward, what gets paused, what gets closed,
  • Build the connection between IdeaLab and the GlobalRomania platform: how ideas are 
    posted, tracked, and made visible to potential collaborators,
  • Work with the IdeaLab Coordinator to ensure each monthly session feeds directly into the 
    pipeline,
  • Track outputs: number of ideas activated, volunteers matched, projects reaching pilot stage,
  • Track outcomes: community engagement, collaborations formed, impact stories,
  • Produce IdeaLab's first impact report — stories and data that demonstrate what the diaspora 
    can do when organized,
  • Present findings and recommendations for Year 2.

 

Platform: GlobalRomania
 Type: Paid
 Time Commitment: approx 6 hours/week + 4 hours/week volunteer
 Location: Remote

 

🧠 What is the Idea Lab (within GlobalRomania platform)?

The Idea Lab is a dedicated innovation space inside the GlobalRomania community, powered by RUF. It serves as a launchpad for Romanian professionals, creatives, and changemakers to submit, develop, and collaborate on community-driven projects.

Anyone in the community can bring forth an idea and participate in open brainstorming sessions or pitch events - short, 5-minute pitches to introduce new ideas. Projects that gain traction move forward with support from the Idea Lab and RUF’s wider network of volunteers and mentors.

 

💡 About the Role

The Idea Lab Coordinator ensures the Idea Lab functions smoothly. They nurture innovation, support project creation, and keep the momentum alive as ideas evolve into real initiatives. They are a guide, facilitator, and community builder. This role doesn't require a significant time commitment—just genuine passion, consistency, and a desire to help great ideas grow into meaningful initiatives.

 

🔍 Key Responsibilities

💭 Encouraging Innovation

  • Foster a creative and welcoming space for idea-sharing
  • Help transform raw ideas into structured, actionable proposals
  • Host and moderate 5-minute pitch sessions for new project ideas

🧰 Supporting Early-Stage Projects

  • Guide members through RUF’s “How to Start a Project” process
  • Help with writing project briefs, creating Google Drive folders, and setting up Slack/WhatsApp groups
  • Schedule initial project meetings and ensure early milestones are met

👥 Practicing Openness & Inclusion

  • Actively involve new and diverse members in all steps of the ideation process
  • Promote collaboration across skill sets, backgrounds, and locations
  • Mentor emerging contributors and encourage leadership development

🤝 Connecting the Dots

  • Serve as a bridge between idea creators, experienced volunteers, and RUF leadership
  • Help recruit project leads and match volunteers to projects
  • Track project progress and keep the community engaged

 

🌍 Why This Role Matters

This is a high-impact role at the heart of RUF’s mission. You’ll help bring community ideas to life, foster leadership among Romanians worldwide, and shape how innovation flows across the GlobalRomania network.

It’s not about doing everything - it's about being the person who keeps the spark alive for ideas that can make a difference.