Project Specialist (Innovation), P-3, FT, Post# 65661, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Project Specialist (Innovation) within the Emerging Challenges unit is responsible for managing a series of projects to drive R&D and scale of products to improve the life of children in humanitarian contexts. The position requires an understanding of how UNICEF plans and responds in emergencies, how country offices make and inform decisions on product purchasing/adoption in emergencies, and how suppliers engage in the product innovation process be it global or local levels.

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 full 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, Care

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens - addressing inequity - not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also accelerating the equitable development of nations to attain SDG.

At Supply Division this relates to accelerating results that aid the Strategic Plan goal areas with products and services. On an annual basis UNICEF globally procures over $4bn worth of goods many of which feature in UNICEF’s product catalogue. The Product Innovation Centre is responsible for driving the research and development (R&D) and subsequent scale, considering both the supply and the demand side of the next generation of products that will accelerate results for children. Within this architecture the Project Specialist (PS), Innovation Specialist is responsible for managing product innovation projects from inception through to scale up.

 

How can you make a difference?

The Project Specialist (Innovation) within the Emerging Challenges unit is responsible for managing a series of projects to drive R&D and scale of products to improve the life of children in humanitarian contexts. The position requires an understanding of how UNICEF plans and responds in emergencies, how country offices make and inform decisions on product purchasing/adoption in emergencies, and how suppliers engage in the product innovation process be it global or local levels.

The incumbent is responsible for designing project management roadmaps, agreeing milestones, coordinating project teams of multidisciplinary stakeholders (both internal to UNICEF and beyond) often including academic institutions, other UN agencies and the private sector. The role requires regular presentations to be written and given to communicate product updates to senior staff in Innovation Review Board meetings.

Key functions and responsibilities:

1. Provides technical guidance and support to regional and country offices, as well as offering guidance on their own product innovation projects in the humanitarian sector.
2. Budget planning and management is a critical component of each individual project, and expected to work to raise funds to support product development and scale up.
3. Discovery and scale up of innovative products, so experience and understanding of working within these areas is important.
4. Help manage multiple Product Innovation Projects (PIPs) throughout the lifecycle.
5. Developing detailed Target Product Profiles.
6. Supporting country office product innovation collaborations and capacity building.
7. Budget planning and management.
8. Multi-stakeholder (internal and external) coordination across internal procurement centres, regional offices and HQ divisions including Office of Innovation and Emergency Operations.
9. Coordinate in the development of product innovation project roadmaps and milestones
10. Communicating with suppliers and innovators.
11. Identifying fundraising opportunities. 

 

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

Education

• Advanced degree (Masters or above) in engineering or a relevant social science.

• *A first University degree may be accepted in lieu of a Master degree with seven years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience

• 5 years of work experience development and/or humanitarian work.
• Experience working in UNICEF is a plus.
• Experience working within innovation within the UN is a plus.
• Country office experience desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French is highly desirable, and knowledge of another UN language is an asset. 

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The value and competencies required for this post are (CRITA)…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)

 

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:

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

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