Head of Innovation Service

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). Head of Innovation Service

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The role of the Head of Innovation is to lead the Innovation Service at UNHCR developing new projects that can significantly change the way UNHCR delivers its work. The team seeks ideas from refugees, staff and partners. It prototypes, evaluates and assesses the potential for larger scale implementation. The team builds capacity and skills within UNHCR to innovate at all levels.

In order to develop sophisticated and sustainable innovative projects, the incumbent will work with Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) and Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation (DRRM) Service to develop strong Government and Private sector partnerships.

The team collaborates with partners to innovate and modernize the ways in which UNHCR supports refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people of concern through improving our field delivery, systems and structure. 

The Head works in close co-ordination with PSP and DRRM on the allocation, management and reporting on all specific partnership relationships managed by PSP / DRRM; Whether on existing accounts or new partnerships. The Innovation projects should seek to inspire new and existing partners whilst also strengthening long term support for core needs outside of the innovation space.

The incumbent represents UNHCR Innovation to various audiences from business leaders, foundations, and key individuals, academic and other institutions that can assist UNHCR Innovation working in close collaboration and coordination with PSP in all engagement involving private sector partners. The level of accountability is significant given the level of exposure and the type of audiences. In the current highly interconnected world, leaders from the private sector and government are able to share views rapidly and decisively. This role must be able to enter into this dialogue with authority and credibility.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability


- UNHCR has established inspirational, effective innovation projects that have a significant impact on refugees lives and how we deliver programmes and services.
- Innovation has a clearly articulated strategy to drive innovation throughout the organisation and beyond through relevant partners.
- The Innovation Service is accessible and applicable to all operations, from emergencies to durable solutions operations.

Responsibility

Innovation Strategic Development and delivery
- Develop a refugee centered Innovation strategy that reflects the diversity of UNHCRs operations.
- Lead and inspire the crowdsourcing of new innovative ideas from staff, refugees and partners.
- Manage a consultative, collaborative process within the country operations and with external partners.
- Identify and establish a robust set of innovation projects across priority programme / Lab areas such as education, energy and emergencies consistent with the Service¿s strategy.
- Ensuring strong monitoring and evaluation systems are in place for all projects.
- Lead the mainstreaming of innovation across the organisation and provide support for replicating and scaling of initiatives
- Build organisation skills and knowledge in Innovation across UNHCR working closely with Global Learning Centre
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by field operations to which innovation methodologies and approaches can be applied.

Stakeholder management
- Work closely with Senor Division Directors, Bureau and representatives to ensure innovation project are communicated, understood and supported.
- Provide a convening function among operations, Divisions, Bureau, and other internal parties around innovation projects and methodologies.
- Build strong senior level relationships across other Innovation Service in NGOs and sister agencies.

Partnership Development (working with PSP and DRRM)
- In collaboration with PSP and DRRM, identify partners to support the UNHCR Innovation programme, while ensuring holistic partnership leveraging for partnerships to deliver benefits for UNHCR as a whole. Ensuring sustainable realistic support strategies are in place. Support can either be core competencies or financial.
- Ensure that all partnership agreements involving Innovation are in line with existing policies and procedures on partnerships in UNHCR, including due diligence screening, partnership management, in-kind procedures, and clearance of agreements.
- Develop comprehensive engagement and stewardship plan in collaboration with PSP or DRRM account managers for existing partnerships that involve an innovation component.
- Ensure effective implementation of donor funded innovation programs, in liaison with technical teams and country operations. Share progress updates with PSP or DRRM and its partners on a regular basis, confirming progress on project implementation.
- Ensure strong donor reporting is in place for all partner projects. Review progress with PSP or DRRM and partners, and initiate course corrections when needed.

Communicating Innovation
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that builds political and financial support
- Deliver public lectures, speeches representing UNHCR Innovation. These public interactions could be televised, live streamed or reproduced in print forms.
- Present UNHCR¿s Innovation programme (in collaboration with PSP) to the private sector, business leaders, foundations, and key individuals, academic and other institutions that can assist in the UNHCR Innovation.
- Work with DER, DRRM and PSP to define and launch joint communication and media plans with partners to promote impact of innovation projects

Administration and Management
- Oversee Innovation budget planning specifically APR and MYR process.
- Ensure strong staff management across the team including recruitment and performance management.
- Ensure platforms are in place that foster innovation and creativity.

Authority
- Represent the organization in various external audience fora which could broadcast externally through TV, Internet or Print.
- In close collaboration with PSP and the PSP network, engage with private sector actors on behalf of UNHCR Innovation in securing either financial support or core expertise from private sector entities.
- Assign work plan and priorities to the staff working in the UNHCR Innovation team.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Advanced University degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, Law or Management.
- Minimum 20 years of relevant work experience including minimum 15 years of experience in management of public private sector and / or Government projects including resource mobilisation.
- Proven track record of building impactful innovation led programs achieving transformational change for the organization and their direct beneficiaries.
- A strong focus on delivering programme implementation and reporting results.
- Experience of effective communication at senior levels with business leaders and philanthropists.
- Experience leading a large scale field operation in an emergency context.
- Experience at the Representative level.
- Excellent knowledge of English and advanced verbal and written communication skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Advanced knowledge, experience and skills with the uses and applications of information technology relevant to the functions of the position.
- Excellent knowledge of UN and UNHCR programme, financial, human resources and administration rules and regulations.
- Proficiency in a second official UN languages an asset.
- Experience in the field and at headquarters.
- Experience in establishing and maintaining broad partnership networks. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X002L4 - Innovation and Creativity Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).