FT Innovation Specialist at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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 potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job TItle: FT Innovation Specialist - NOC

Job Number: 519318
Location: Abuja
Work Type: Fixed Term Staff

How can you make a difference?

• Under the supervision and overall guidance of the Programme Specialist (Field Results), the Innovation Specialist is responsible for coordinating and facilitating this mainstreaming effort, and for providing ongoing technical support to the roll out of prioritised innovations including to programme sections in the design and implementation of their respective Innovation flagship initiative(s) in close coordination with the Global Office of Innovation and the Regional Office (as needed).

Main Responsibilities

• Management and coordination of U-Report platform and engagement with related stakeholders.
• Mainstreaming of RapidSMS/RapidPro into programs, starting with informants from a vulnerability assessment, then moving to sectoral stakeholder such as social workers, youth groups, health workers, and ITS leaders.
• Support to implementation of AcitivityInfo for partner reporting and linkages with other platforms such as ODK, and Mapping (as needed).
• Support the use of knowledge tools such as trello and teamsite for improved office efficiency and knowledge sharing.
• Lead the development and integration of supply tracking and assessment tools with Equitrack, ODK and Activity Info as relevant.
• Coordination with the Regional Office and Global Innovations team to share lessons learned and support initial roll out of best practices such as EquiTrack.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

• Under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (Field Results) and guidance of the Chief M4R and Deputy Representative, and in cooperation with programme teams, coordinate and provide support on overall innovation strategy/action plan for UNICEF Nigeria, including formulation, design, planning and implementation in close collaboration with the Global Office of Innovation Unit and Regional Office.
• Coordinate and support development and testing of innovation products and processes to strengthen and improve efficiency and effectiveness of UNICEF's programming, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and communication. More specifically, provide technical support for continued improvements to U-Report, and deployment of RapidSMS/RapidPro - UNICEF's latest mobile phone based system for real-time data collection, including negotiations with mobile network companies and other service providers. Support to implementation of AcitivityInfo for partner reporting and linkages with other platforms such as ODK, and Mapping (as needed).
• Proactively scout for new innovative ideas and opportunities that promote and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of UNICEF Nigeria's programme objectives.
• Identify opportunities for resource mobilisation and new partnerships for innovations in close collaboration with the Global Office of Innovation and Regional Office.
• Develop partnerships and network with local innovators, youth organizations, NGOs, cultural and religious organisations, the private sector, local media and academia to build and provide a space to nurture and test new and innovative ideas, develop the next generation of thought leaders and build local capacity.
• Train UNICEF staff, partner staff, government counterparts and other end users in the country in the use of innovation products and processes.
• Document tested innovation projects and processes and ensure effective sharing and generation of knowledge around innovations in the Country Office as well as with UNICEF global innovation network.
• Together with the Chief M4R, represent the Country Office in the UNICEF global innovation network for information sharing and leverage experiences of innovation colleagues in other Country Offices as well as at the global level.

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Computer Science or related field such as Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering or Statistics.

Work Experience:

• Five years of relevant professional work experience. Experience in start-up companies/organisations is an asset.
• International and Developing country work experience.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency is an advantage.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and another UN language

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
• View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Application Closing Date
Thursday 31st January, 2019, by 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (West Africa Standard Time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.