Programme Manager, UPU Innovations Lab

Bern

Organization: UPU - Universal Postal Union
Location: Bern
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/22/P4/FT-C/373

Title: Programme Manager, UPU Innovations Lab

Grade: P4

Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) Appointment

Duration: Three years

Publication Date: 15 September 2022

Application Deadline: 26 October 2022
(40 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications

Organizational Unit: Policy, Regulation and Markets Directorate (DPRM)

Duty Station: Bern Switzerland

Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible

Organizational Context:
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Main duties:
The "Lab Manager" shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Coordinator, Knowledge Centre and Think Tank (KCTT) and in close collaboration with the Strategy team. Within that delegated authority, the Lab Manager shall:
- Conceptualize, develop strategy for, design, and initiate UPU's Innovations Lab.
- Set up the Lab with broad internal and external stakeholder engagement - including member countries.
- Design the work programme for the Lab aligned with the Abidjan Postal Strategy, secure funding, and execute projects beneficial to UPU's stakeholders.
- Deliver the Lab's multi-year work programme ensuring results and accountability.

1. Design an Innovations Lab at UPU and initiate work.
- Conceptualize, develop strategy for, design, and initiate a best-in-class Innovations Lab at the UPU, in collaboration with other members of the KCTT and obtain approval from UPU's leadership.
- In collaboration with programme directorates, and in conversation with UPU's member countries, identify key themes and topics within the postal sector that can benefit from an innovative approach, new technologies, and / or new ways of working.
- In line with sector best practices, draft the Lab's mission, vision, scope of work, and objectives to secure approvals from line management as well as appropriate governing council bodies.
- Socialise the vision, mission, and working methods of the Lab to external and internal stakeholders including supervisory bodies of the Union.

2. Design programme of work for the Lab, secure funding, and execute projects.
Overarching, the Lab Manager will work with internal and external partners to identify, prototype, and scale new technologies and practices that will help overcome current challenges in the wider postal sector. In practice, this will include:
- Identifying areas where the Lab can bring value through innovative approaches to strategic, regulatory and operational issues faced by the governments, regulators and designated operators of member countries.
- Defining the work programme for the Lab for the current planning cycle (2022-2025) aligned with the Abidjan Postal Strategy and for subsequent programming cycles.
- Identifying potential private sector or public sector entities which could support the work of the Lab in terms of joint programming, collaborations, and/or funding.
- Identifying and negotiating innovation partnerships and commercial agreements that serve the goals and needs of the Lab. This will be done in full collaboration with the Coordinator, and aligned with the Resource Mobilization Team.
- Conceptualising, designing, and executing for results - pilot projects, prototype development, Hackatons, Solve-a-thons, and full-scale projects as defined in the work programme of the Lab.

3. Provide managerial oversight and ensure accountability for the Innovations Lab.
- Ensure accountability, results, and provide managerial oversight on the activities of the Lab.
- Foster and lead a cross-directorate, cross-competence innovation community of practice at the UPU.
- Oversee activities for this team; plan and allocate work assignments; coach and mentor peers to ensure alignment with the UPU's innovation strategy.
- Manage / oversee multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that involve cutting-edge innovative applications.
- Provide oversight on compliance and programme risks.
- Oversee the Lab's communication strategy, working closely with the Corporate Communications Team. Prepare, update and develop communication material including concept notes, programme briefs, and lessons learned.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, business administration, political science, international relations or any such related field, or first university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent)

Experience:
With an advanced university degree at least 10 years of proven experience in fostering and creating innovative solutions at an international level - especially those that bring together public and private institutions to solve logistics or human development challenges. With a first level university degree at least 12 years of similar international experience.

Technical knowledge:
1. Solid knowledge and proven experience in designing, raising funds for, and operationally managing an Innovations Lab in a comparable institution.
2. Solid knowledge and proven experience and in securing, building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, particularly with senior policy makers in governments and corporate entities.
3. Sound knowledge of and proven experience with strategy development, project management and evaluation methodologies.
4. Very good knowledge of the environments and networks of international organizations (private and public) - including engaging with senior stakeholders to drive positive results.
5. Practical knowledge in public policy advocacy, preferably in an international context.
6. Familiarity with the rules and procedures and cooperation mechanisms used in the UN system would be an advantage.

Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects in a multicultural context
2. Ability to educate and communicate on the UPU's objectives and activities in the areas covered by the position
3. Ability to plan and act; also on a long term basis; ability to work as part of a team
4. Good interpersonal and presentation skills; strong ability to develop arguments/ excellent communication skills with strong representational abilities
5. Negotiation skills
6. High sense of professional integrity and political sensitivity

Language skills:
Proficiency in English or French. Working knowledge of the other would be an asset.

Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
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Priority shall be given for an internal promotion.
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Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
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The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
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Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)
75,602 USD

Post adjustment: 73.5 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.

All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior (D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority.
Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.

The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.

For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:

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Currently accepting applications