Innovation Manager (Design & Connect)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide.
Job Overview:
The Innovation Manager (Design & Connect) plays a crucial role within UNICEF's Office of Innovation (OOI), specifically leading the Design & Connect pillar. This position involves providing strategic leadership, design direction, and connective capacity across OOI's initiatives. The role requires a combination of strategic leadership, people management, and hands-on advisory support, shaping how UNICEF engages with countries and systems on innovation. The incumbent will oversee the intake and triage of technical assistance requests, manage innovation ecosystem development, and ensure that innovation efforts are prioritized and institutionalized effectively. This position is vital for fostering a culture of innovation within UNICEF and ensuring that the organization can respond effectively to the needs of children and communities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in fields such as innovation, service design, UX, graphic design, social sciences, public policy, or related areas. A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in innovation, systems change, or design-enabled programs in complex institutional contexts is required. Candidates should have a strong hands-on design practice background, particularly in service design, UX, or systems mapping, which will serve as a foundation for their strategic and advisory work.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) is required, with a focus on innovation, service design, UX, graphic design, social sciences, public policy, or related fields. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of innovation and design within institutional contexts.
Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, including innovation, systems change, or design-enabled programs. Experience working with government systems on institutional change, innovation policy, or systems strengthening, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is highly desirable. Familiarity with innovation ecosystem development and structured engagement methodologies is also beneficial.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a fluent level required for effective communication. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared for background checks and medical clearance as part of the hiring process. UNICEF promotes diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly from underrepresented groups. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide.
Job Overview:
The Innovation Manager (Design & Connect) plays a crucial role within UNICEF's Office of Innovation (OOI), specifically leading the Design & Connect pillar. This position involves providing strategic leadership, design direction, and connective capacity across OOI's initiatives. The role requires a combination of strategic leadership, people management, and hands-on advisory support, shaping how UNICEF engages with countries and systems on innovation. The incumbent will oversee the intake and triage of technical assistance requests, manage innovation ecosystem development, and ensure that innovation efforts are prioritized and institutionalized effectively. This position is vital for fostering a culture of innovation within UNICEF and ensuring that the organization can respond effectively to the needs of children and communities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for the Design & Connect pillar, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's overall innovation strategy.
- Manage the intake, triage, and routing of technical assistance requests to ensure timely and effective support.
- Offer design leadership and advisory support to teams and stakeholders, facilitating design-led engagement.
- Implement applied innovation governance frameworks (COMPASS) to guide innovation efforts.
- Own and develop the Innovation Ecosystem, focusing on culture change and decision infrastructure.
- Foster connection, collaboration, and knowledge enablement across teams and partners.
- Manage people effectively, representing the Design & Connect pillar within UNICEF and externally.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in fields such as innovation, service design, UX, graphic design, social sciences, public policy, or related areas. A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in innovation, systems change, or design-enabled programs in complex institutional contexts is required. Candidates should have a strong hands-on design practice background, particularly in service design, UX, or systems mapping, which will serve as a foundation for their strategic and advisory work.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) is required, with a focus on innovation, service design, UX, graphic design, social sciences, public policy, or related fields. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of innovation and design within institutional contexts.
Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, including innovation, systems change, or design-enabled programs. Experience working with government systems on institutional change, innovation policy, or systems strengthening, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is highly desirable. Familiarity with innovation ecosystem development and structured engagement methodologies is also beneficial.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a fluent level required for effective communication. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared for background checks and medical clearance as part of the hiring process. UNICEF promotes diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly from underrepresented groups. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.