The Innovation Specialist is responsible to lead the UNICEF DRC SMS and Digital Strategy. He or she will be responsible for identifying opportunities to use existing and new data collection systems to strengthen the country projects and programmes involving citizens and/or youth as beneficiaries. The Innovation Specialist acts to build capacity in both the country office across all sections, partners and government stakeholders inclusive of all levels within the hierarchy.
Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication for Development and Social Behavior Change, the SBC Specialist is responsible for initiating and coordinating ongoing and innovation projects for UNICEF Democratic Rep. of Congo (DRC) and partners, and for providing ongoing technical support to each programme team in the design and implementation of their respective Innovation flagship initiative(s) including U-Report and young bloggers.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties or tasks include:
Work closely with Sections, Operations and field offices to infuse real-time data into strengthening programmes and to support awareness, behaviour change and mobilization efforts to support specific community activities.
Build, manage and optimize a scale strategy to ensure U-Report is as accessible to young people across the DRC.
Real-Time Monitoring (RTM) & Information Systems:
Act as the country office focal point for collaboration with Programme Division across all new and existing initiatives. Support programme sections in gathering and refining requirements for deployment of RapidPro-based solutions.
Manage and maintain existing partnerships with key vendors such as the aggregator and RapidPro hosting companies. Support programme sections and partners in deployment and ongoing management of new products
Nontraditional Partnerships:
Under the guidance of the Chief of SBC, work closely with the programme sections and operations, to identify set of priority research questions and develop a research plan around Innovation in UNICEF research for DRC, with links to the programme-level innovation inception and design processes in place.
Learning Coordination and Convening:
Ensure effective sharing and generation of knowledge around Innovations within UNICEF and develop knowledge products in support of this.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree in Communications, Marketing, Digital Engagement, Business management, Youth Engagement, IT or any other relevant technical field.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in Communications, Digital Engagement, Youth engagement, information technology management and business operations in a large international organization and/or corporation is required.
Experience running U-Report in a country office is a strong an asset.
Experience in a UN organization is an asset.
Experience with a high-level communications campaign across multiple mediums, with national brand recognition is considered as strong asset;
Experience giving user-based feedback to the development of software applications is an advantage;
Previous experience working in developing countries especially in Africa or Asia and with development actors: donors, UN agencies, civil society, government ministries;
Experience in managing internal and external partnerships, including international organizations.
Good knowledge of current trends in youth participation and new media, as well as a good understanding of development issues, world affairs and current events.
Knowledge and proven experience using of using Rapid Pro and U-Report plateforms.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
