Innovation Specialist (Innovative Financing, Outcome-Based Financing)

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 personal and professional development. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. The organization has set ambitious goals for its 2026-2029 Strategic Plan to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Innovation Specialist will play a strategic and project management role within the Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) at UNICEF, specifically in the Innovative and Alternative Finance for Children unit. This position focuses on the development and implementation of innovative finance frameworks and initiatives aimed at leveraging additional resources for children. The role involves analyzing UNICEF’s portfolio to identify innovative finance opportunities, particularly those suitable for outcome-based financing approaches. The specialist will support the initiation, design, and implementation of these financing solutions while enhancing UNICEF's strategic positioning and exploring partnerships with key stakeholders such as international financial institutions, philanthropies, governments, and the private sector. The job also entails project management responsibilities to ensure timely delivery of key objectives and deliverables.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Development of Financial Models, Structures and Concepts: Analyze existing innovative finance mechanisms and identify potential opportunities with the private sector. Support the design and implementation of innovative financing solutions focused on outcome-based financing. Conduct business analyses of financial markets and trends, including risk assessments and mitigation strategies. Document strategic decisions and operational processes for transparency. Provide support for the IF4C Training Programme.
• Planning and Project Management: Ensure effective project management and coordination of the PFP IF4C team’s work plan and deliverables. Maintain tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor progress.
• Partnerships and Engagement: Develop and manage partnerships with private sector entities and stakeholders to drive innovative financing initiatives. Collaborate with the Innovation Officer to produce high-quality content for internal and external communications, fundraising proposals, and promotional materials. Draft content for newsletters and impact reports to showcase achievements in innovative financing solutions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in international development, finance, economics, public or business administration, or closely related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted. A minimum of five years of professional work experience in development, innovative finance, ESG/impact investing, project management, investment banking, or related fields is required. Experience in structuring outcome-based financing and partnership building is an asset. Familiarity with the innovative finance landscape and the ability to manage multiple projects with various stakeholders is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as international development, finance, economics, public or business administration is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional work experience in relevant fields such as development, innovative finance, ESG/impact investing, project management, investment banking, or management consulting is required. Experience in structuring outcome-based financing and partnership building is considered an asset. Familiarity with the innovative finance landscape and the ability to work across multiple projects and stakeholders is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The estimated duration of the contract is until December 31, 202

• The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and has policies in place to support employees with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.