Technical Specialist – Innovation
Job Vacancy
New York
United Nations - United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
VACANCY NO:
Job ID 2730
CLOSING DATE:
22.00 (GMT) on Friday 7th November 2014 (5.00 p.m. New
York time)
POST TITLE:
Technical Specialist - Innovation
CATEGORY:
ICS-10 (P3)
POST NUMBER:
96373
DUTY STATION:
New York
POST TYPE:
Non - Rotational
DURATION:
Temporary appointment - One year
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:
Population and Development Branch, Technical Division
[i]
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
The Technical Specialist – Innovation post is located in the Technical Division, New York
Headquarters Office and reports to the Innovation Project Sponsor and Manager, who
provide overall direction for the Innovation Fund.
JOB PURPOSE:
To provide coordination and technical support to the management of the Innovation
Fund in order to implement the UNFPA “Innovation and Creativity” corporate priority.
In 2014, UNFPA established “Innovation and Creativity” as a Corporate Priority in order to
enable and support a culture of innovation within the organization. With endorsement by the
UNFPA Executive Committee and an initial grant of USD 4.48 million by the Danish
Government, a UNFPA Innovation Fund was launched in September 2014 as a mechanism
to implement this corporate priority project. The Innovation Fund has the goal of funding
projects throughout the organization; building a culture of innovation organization-wide; and
growing a UNFPA brand for innovation externally.
The Technical Specialist – Innovation provides coordination support to implement the
activities of the Innovation Fund, including by 1) coordinating the implementation of
innovation projects; and 2) facilitating activities to build a culture of innovation within and
outside UNFPA. The purpose of the Technical Specialist – Innovation post is to support the
overall implementation of the Innovation Fund through:
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Coordinating the regular activities of the UNFPA Innovation Fund;
Ensuring the implementation of innovation projects;
Supporting the development of activities designed to promote a culture of innovation;
Acting as an external liaison for innovation by seeking out opportunities to cultivate
and strengthen innovation partnerships and to grow a brand for UNFPA innovation;
Coordinating internal and external media and communications related to innovation
Major Activities/Expected Results
Specific Duties
A. Coordinate the implementation of innovation projects
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Coordinate regular, organization-wide calls for proposals, and all-staff voting on
innovation projects;
Support the activities of the Innovation Inter-Divisional Working Group and the
Strategic Political Review Body to screen, select and fund innovation projects;
Manage disbursement of funding to selected innovation projects;
Provide day-to-day support to innovation project teams during their project
implementation periods, as needed;
Oversee routine reporting by innovation project teams;
Support the drafting of success and failure reports on innovation projects;
Provide regular project updates to the innovation team and key stakeholders.
B. Facilitate activities to promote a culture of innovation within UNFPA and build a
UNFPA innovation brand
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Build relationships and engage with UN agencies and external partners to strengthen
innovation partnerships and networks and support resource mobilization efforts;
Keep abreast of current innovation knowledge and trends and seek opportunities for
UNFPA’s involvement in innovative initiatives;
Promote both innovation learning and capacity building, as well as opportunities to
showcase UNFPA’s innovation work;
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Coordinate internal and external media and communications platforms and
campaigns;
Coordinate the “Innovation Events Series”.
C. Provide administrative and coordination support to the Innovation Fund
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Coordinate a timeline of major targets, milestones and deliverables;
Track Innovation Fund budget and adhere to all donor reporting requirements;
Support the development of a monitoring framework and drafting of an annual report.
Work Relations
The incumbent will work with the Innovation Project Sponsor and Manager in the Technical
Division, members of the Innovation Inter-Divisional Working Group and Strategic Political
Review Body, as well as relevant colleagues in the Information and External Relations
Division, and other relevant Divisions/Branches at Headquarters, Regional and Country
Offices.
External partners will include UN agencies engaged in innovation activities, as well donors
and external partners essential to UNFPA’s work on innovation.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:
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Post-graduate university degree, or equivalent, in public health, social science,
demography, public administration, international development or a related field
Knowledge and Experience:
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5 years of increasingly responsible relevant experience;
Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills;
Strong knowledge of UNFPA’s core mandate and the ICPD agenda;
Excellent writing and oral communications skills;
Good network with the academic and development community;
Field experience is a strong asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Required Competencies
i)
Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN
system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change
ii)
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 programmes, Internal and external communication
and advocacy for results mobilization.
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Demonstrated ability to work on multiple, simultaneous projects, and with interdisciplinary and multicultural groups to find agreed solutions and to accept
responsibility and accountability for performance;
Delivering results-based action;
Ability to organize information using appropriate mode of presentation and style and
to communicate effectively, including ability to produce high quality reports and
knowledge management;
 Organizational awareness to apply systematic thinking and sound judgment in
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decision-making.
Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise in the area of
innovation and creativity;
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork,
respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to
maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position.
The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing
allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
HOW TO APPLY:
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UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows
applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted
for more than one vacancy.
Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at
http://www.unfpa.org/employment/
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Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application
process.
Notice:
There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process.
UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not
discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
UNFPA reserves the right to appoint prior to closing date.
Job Enquiries: Contact the UNFPA
UN Homepage: http://www.un.org/en/
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