Innovation and Knowledge Management Manager, P4, Abuja, Nigeria (Temporary Appointment – 364 Days) #131001
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Job No: 576956
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Abuja
Level: P-4
Location: Nigeria
Categories: Knowledge Management
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, working to save children’s lives, protect their rights, and help them reach their full potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are driven by a strong sense of purpose and pride in our work. Promoting every child’s rights is not just a job; it is a mission we are passionate about.
UNICEF offers its staff various opportunities for personal and professional growth, enabling them to build rewarding careers while contributing to a meaningful cause. We cultivate a supportive work environment where our employees can thrive, complemented by an attractive benefits and compensation package.
For Every Child, Rights
In Nigeria, UNICEF navigates a complex humanitarian and developmental landscape, collaborating with the government, civil society, families, and children to safeguard their rights. As one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally, UNICEF Nigeria plays a key role in this mission. Learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria.
Background
Innovation is a core strategy for driving improved outcomes in UNICEF Nigeria’s country programme, aimed at advancing results for children through the adoption of new and improved approaches by the government and partners.
Under the guidance of the Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Reporting, the Innovation Manager will provide technical leadership, support the design, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of innovative solutions across various program sectors, and contribute to achieving UNICEF’s goals. The manager will work closely with senior leadership, field offices, and ICT teams to advance innovation and digital transformation priorities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Promote Innovation Across UNICEF Nigeria
- Implement and oversee the country office’s innovation strategy aligned with UNICEF’s global and regional frameworks.
- Coordinate the development, testing, and scaling of innovative solutions to enhance UNICEF’s programming for children and youth.
- Provide support to UNICEF’s field offices, regularly visiting to monitor and assess implementation, and provide corrective actions when needed.
- Build capacity within UNICEF and among partners to ensure the effective use of innovative products and processes.
2. Lead the Strategic Development of Technology-Enabled Programming
- Lead the development, monitoring, and reporting of the digital development and technology innovation strategy.
- Collaborate with ICT teams to integrate innovative strategies into program planning, ensuring the deployment of digital tools and initiatives.
- Finalize a comprehensive mapping of ongoing, planned, and completed T4D (Technology for Development) initiatives, ensuring they are documented in UNICEF’s global innovation portfolio.
3. Provide Cross-Sectoral Technical and Programmatic Support
- Lead various innovation initiatives such as sanitation improvements, reducing childhood stunting, increasing access to education, and improving birth registration systems.
- Implement market-based approaches for sanitation, integrate female business owners into the sanitation market, and test innovative performance reward systems.
- Support digital cash transfers and financial inclusion initiatives with a focus on gender equity.
4. Build and Strengthen Partnerships for Impact
- Co-chair the GenU 9JA Pillar 1 Task Force for Connectivity and Digital Learning, fostering partnerships for innovative solutions.
- Cultivate relationships with public, private, and youth partners to advance innovation priorities and results for children.
- Collaborate with resource mobilization teams to create new partnerships and secure resources for innovation efforts.
5. Support Cross-Team Collaboration and Staff Development
- Provide leadership and management to staff across the program sections and field offices, ensuring optimal performance and alignment with UNICEF’s core values.
- Encourage a supportive, inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and staff development.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- An advanced degree in International Development, Business Administration, Information Technology, Innovation Management, or related field.
- At least 8 years of relevant experience in managing innovation or technology-driven projects across large organizations, including experience with start-ups.
- Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale solutions with technical components, including project management, vendor oversight, and procurement.
- Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Open Source, mobile technologies, RapidPro, OpenSRP, DHIS2, and ODK.
- Experience with public-private partnerships, youth engagement, and new media trends.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
- Experience in developing countries and/or emergency settings is desirable.
Core Competencies
UNICEF values Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and encourages candidates who embody these principles. The competencies required for this role include:
- Building and maintaining partnerships
- Demonstrating self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Achieving results and driving impact
- Embracing innovation and change
- Managing complexity and ambiguity
- Strategic thinking and action
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Leadership and people management
Why Work with UNICEF?
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and offers various benefits such as paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. We embrace flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
UNICEF maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo thorough background checks and be expected to uphold UNICEF’s standards of conduct.
By joining UNICEF, you’ll help shape a future where every child has the chance to thrive.
