Innovation Manager (Project Connect Lead/Mapping Lead), P4, FTA, Office of Innovation, New York, USA (# 00118158)

Under the general guidance and direction of the supervisor, the incumbent will lead the operations and strategic development of the Project Connect platform. The incumbent will (1) develop the roadmap and strategy to scale the platform globally, (2) oversee the development of the platform and ensure its alignment with strategic goals, (3) oversee and guide different implementations in country offices, including planning, monitoring and knowledge management activities, (4) work with other teams within Office of Innovation as well as other UNICEF divisions to make sure that the platform enables actionable insights for UNICEF programmes (5) develop the roadmap and strategy to integrate blockchain and related products with the platform globally and in priority countries, (6) grow, monitor, and develop partnerships that contribute to the development of the platform, (7) internal and external communications about Project Connect and strategy for UNICEF and Office of Innovation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

GIGA is a global initiative between UNICEF and ITU to connect every school to the internet, and every young person to information, opportunity and choice. It also serves as a platform to create the infrastructure necessary to provide digital connectivity to an entire country, for every community, and for every citizen.

Providing connectivity to the world remains a challenge. According to the ITU, nearly 3.7 billion people remain unconnected from the internet, and by extension, unconnected to digital products and services that could dramatically improve their lives. Approximately 29% of 18-24-yearolds, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, do not have digital access (~360m people) and thereby lack access to the same information, opportunity and choice as their more-connected peers. Unless things change, a big part of this rapidly growing group of young people is in danger of being left behind, excluded from the modern digital world.

Closing the digital divide requires global cooperation, leadership, and innovation in finance and technology. GIGA leverages data, innovative finance and new technologies to bring the power of meaningful connectivity to fast-track young people’s access to educational resources and opportunities.

How can you make a difference?

1. Lead the development of the roadmap and strategy to scale the platform globally.

2. Oversee the development of the platform and associated products and ensure it’s aligned with strategic goals.

3. Represent and oversee the different Project Connect implementations, at regional and national levels.

4. Lead the design and implementation of a strategy to harness the potential of blockchain crypto/digital currencies in connectivity projects.

5. In close collaboration with other teams at Office of Innovation as well as other UNICEF divisions such as ICTD and DRP, ensure that the platform provides useful insights to the programmes and contribute to their strategic goals.

6. In close collaboration with PFP and the Office of Innovation partnerships team, grow, monitor and support partnerships that contribute to the development of the platform.

7. In close collaboration with DOC and the Office of Innovation communications team, manage internal and external communications about Project Connect.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, computer science or related discipline.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience, as well as:
  
  • Experience working with technology private sector companies: ideally data platforms.
  • Experience working with software products and service delivery.
  • Experience working in innovation projects.
  • Experience working in and with startups.
  • Experience working in connectivity related projects.
  • Familiarity with non-traditional data sources such as social media, mobile phone data, web search or satellite imagery.
  • Experience working in a multidisciplinary, multicultural team and with levels of uncertainty.
  • Experience communicating efficiently at different levels and to different audiences particularly across public and private sector.
  • Experience working with development or humanitarian programmes. Familiarity with the UN system and UNICEF is desired.
  • Experience working in UNICEF programme countries is an asset.

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

The VA is open to all (internal and external) candidates.