Innovation Specialist - P3 TA Connect

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 employs a large workforce dedicated to its mission, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Innovation Specialist position within UNICEF’s Office of Innovation (OoI) is crucial for catalyzing, accelerating, and scaling innovative solutions that address critical challenges faced by children and young people. The role involves working across UNICEF’s global network to identify, test, and support the adoption of impactful solutions. The specialist will apply an innovation portfolio management approach, which includes early-stage exploration, structured support for proven solutions, and systematic learning to inform decision-making. The Connect function within OoI plays a vital role in ensuring that innovation initiatives are coherently designed, well-coordinated, and effectively delivered. This position is integral to linking innovation platforms, country engagement, and delivery capacity, translating portfolio-level strategy into consistent, high-quality implementation. The specialist will oversee initiatives like SPARK and COMPASS, ensuring alignment with OoI priorities and responsiveness to country needs, while also contributing to broader organizational learning and governance processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Innovation Specialist include:

• Oversight and coordination of the SPARK and COMPASS initiatives, ensuring they are effectively managed and aligned with organizational goals.
• Management of consultants and delivery inputs, ensuring quality assurance of outputs and processes.
• Strategic alignment and integration of innovation initiatives with UNICEF’s broader objectives.
• Coordination of country engagement and support, facilitating collaboration between various stakeholders.
• Contribution to learning, reporting, and knowledge sharing to enhance the effectiveness of innovation initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as Innovation, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related area. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in innovation, program management, strategy, or portfolio coordination is required. Demonstrated experience in overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives involving consultants and country offices is essential. Familiarity with innovation capacity building, strategy development, or acceleration models is also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Innovation, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related discipline. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of innovation management and program coordination within UNICEF's framework.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as innovation, program management, strategy, or portfolio coordination. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders, including consultants and country offices. Experience working within the UN system or large international organizations is considered an asset, as is familiarity with innovation capacity building and strategy development.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. 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 and contribute to UNICEF's global mission.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to UNICEF's policies and procedures, including medical clearance and background checks. Candidates must be prepared to meet inoculation requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). The role may involve mobility as a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles, ensuring the protection and safeguarding of all children.