Programme Specialist, Innovation

• Provide programme and policy advisory services to COs in the RBA region in response to Country Office needs and in support of the development of programme innovation portfolios. Work closely with all teams in the regional hub to ensure relevant, timely and integrated responses to the programmatic needs and demands of Country Offices, including through portfolio diagnostics, programme and project formulation, delivery support  partnering and resource mobilization; 
• Collaborate substantively with COs and Regional Programmes to achieve regional/CO strategic goals and plans by supporting relevant regional and global initiatives and promoting synergies with regional projects and programmes, including developing and testing new concepts, products, tools and resources;
• Provide support to COs in increasing the relevance of their project portfolio – provides portfolio analysis, identifies opportunities for strategic interventions and pivots/deep demonstrations
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in support of achieving the Strategic Plan and other internationally agreed development goals as it relates to the innovation knowledge domain in close collaboration with the Acceleration Lab network;
• Contribute to strategic thinking on innovation at the global level to continuously ensure alignment between global and regional innovation initiatives, in close collaboration with the global innovation lead and with flagship initiatives to accelerate SDG integration and achievement (e.g. Acceleration Labs, SDG Impact).  
• Identify and pursue resource mobilization opportunities, in close coordination with relevant regional and global teams.
• Collaborate with innovation specialists and advisors across UNDP, under the leadership of the global innovation lead to draft, test and finalize new corporate policies and guidelines that facilitate innovation.

• Support building a regional innovation community of practice and develop and strengthen linkages with innovation communities of practice, both inside and outside of the UN system
• Codify and consolidate emerging best practices on innovation from the region to be made available as part of UNDP’s knowledge management and sharing agenda
• Working out loud: sharing work in progress via social media, corporate knowledge sharing platforms and encourage colleagues in Country Offices to do the same
• Initiates and manages the development of UNDP staff capacity in the application of tools, practices, including support to staff exchanges and twinning initiatives between COs and the Regional Hub, mentoring CO practitioners on-the-job in the area of work, and conducting training / organization of learning events; contributes to the design of incentives for staff to share innovation knowledge and practice.
• Brokers knowledge in support of country level priorities. Facilitates CO access to information, key players and evidence in the area of innovation, keeps COs updated on latest developments and topical discussions;
• Help the definition and regional customization of corporate core innovation competencies, and design programs to foster their development in country offices

• Advocate the application of innovation approaches for development, especially as an integrated approach to achieving the SDGs, in regional and country fora with a view to deepen political commitment and reforms; 
• Represents UNDP and UNDP’s innovation work in the RBA region at country-level, regional and/or global fora relevant for innovation engagements  
• Establishes and nurtures partner engagements and interagency coordination in innovation and related areas; 
• Supports relationship management of regional partners and resource mobilization in line with regional and corporate priorities and guidelines; 
• Manage and build strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with relevant partners, including think tanks and non-governmental organizations; 
• Represent UNDP at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other events, as needed.

• Ability to persuade others to follow

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

• English proficiency, 2nd UN language and or knowledge of regional languages desirable.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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