The Position:

The Innovation and Transformation Branch plays a pivotal role in guiding UNFPA towards a future of heightened efficiency, impact, and relevance, by shaping and executing strategic initiatives through cultivating innovation. Through the Equalizer, UNFPA Accelerator Fund, UNFPA’s Innovation and Transformation Branch leverages innovation, research, and technology to deliver at the scale and pace needed to achieve its transformative results by 2030.

The Innovation Specialist is located in the Innovation and Transformation Branch (ITB), which plays a pivotal role in guiding UNFPA towards a future of heightened efficiency, impact, and relevance, by shaping and executing strategic initiatives through cultivating innovation and change initiatives across the organization in line with UN 2.0. The post reports to the Chief, Innovation and Transformation Branch. S/he will work with internal partners including OED, DHR, DMS, Regional Offices, Country Offices and technical staff to ensure coherent work of Office. Work with the external partners include UN agencies, donor and programme countries in order to maintain and foster collaboration and exchange, build and consolidate internal capacity, accelerate action and promote transparency and accountability.

This role collaborates with  Innovation and Transformation Branch team members, relevant Working Groups, and Business Units throughout the organization. The specialist will also closely coordinate actions with external partners and networks, helping to strengthen UNFPA’s partnerships. This includes supporting initiatives like the Equalizer Accelerator Fund, Equity 2030 Alliance, and the WomenX Collective.

The Innovation Specialist, Strategic Coordination, UN 2.0 will also provide day-to-day planning, managerial, technical, and coordination support to the Chief of the Innovation and Transformation Branch, effectively supporting and coordinating the office’s various initiatives.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), outlines the strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The UN is undergoing a significant transformation to better address the complex challenges of the 21st century. This transformation, known as UN 2.0, focuses on strengthening the organization’s capabilities in data, digital technologies, innovation, behavioral science, and strategic foresight. These core capabilities are essential for the UN to effectively support Member States and deliver on its mandates, particularly in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As the UN 2.0 Strategic Coordination Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in driving this transformation within UNFPA. You will be a key agent of change, ensuring that UNFPA is equipped to leverage the power of UN 2.0 to achieve its strategic goals, particularly the three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. Your expertise in UN 2.0 methodologies and your ability to foster collaboration and innovation will be crucial in ensuring that UNFPA is at the forefront of this transformative process.

You would be responsible for:

• Lead the strategic implementation of UN 2.0 within UNFPA:
  •  Support operationalizing of the UN 2.0 Action Plan in alignment with the UNFPA Strategic Plan.
  •  Identifying opportunities to integrate data analysis, digital technologies, innovative approaches, foresight, and behavioral science into UNFPA programmes and interventions
  •  Giving overall direction to HQ business units, Country and Regional Offices in integrating UN 2.0 Scorecards into their programme planning.
• Foster an innovative culture within UNFPA:
  • Providing technical assistance and guidance to UNFPA offices on UN 2.0 implementation, with a special focus on driving forward innovation, in line with the new innovation strategy
  • Fostering a learning environment within UNFPA and sharing lessons on innovation and UN 2.0 within and beyond the UN.
• Build strategic partnerships and advocate for innovation within UNFPA:
  • Collaborating with technology companies, research institutions, and other UN agencies to access cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to advance UNFPA programmes.
  • Collaborating with UN agencies, Member States, and partners to advance the innovation within UNFPA.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience developing and implementing portfolios related to innovation, digitalization, data and strategic development.
• Strong understanding of the UN system and its development agenda, including the SDGs
• Demonstrable experience in establishing and utilizing knowledge management platforms is an added advantage.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in capacity building and training, preferably within the UN context. .
• Good analytical, written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with the UN system and knowledge of UNFPA’s work would be advantageous. Experience working in UNFPA program countries is highly desirable.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-based programme, Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization,
• Facilitating quality programme results.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements