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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Laughter

Strategic Office Context and Purpose for the Job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Organizational context:

The Product Innovation Center (PIC) influences global and local markets collaboratively with other Centers and external partners, for existing and future products/services, by advocating fit-for-purpose product profiles, accelerating R&D and scale-up, and addressing issues of access, affordability and value for money, ultimately to improve the lives of all children.  

The Product Innovation Center drives research and development (R&D), and implementation of products to address programmatic and/or emergency needs. In instances where there are no products in a procurable form on the market, a Product Innovation Project (PIP) is initiated with the ultimate goal of enabling procurement of fit-for-purpose and value-for-money supplies in UNICEF’s program areas.

How can you make a difference? 

The Innovation Specialist applies specialized products knowledge and in collaboration with counterparts in UNICEF field offices and Programme Division, is accountable on the management of product innovation projects with the goal to enable the procurement of fit for purpose, end-user driven innovative products and technologies for use in UNICEF 's global nutrition and education programmes.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Manage the portfolio of UNICEF's Nutrition and Education product innovation projects including general project management as well as documenting and communicating developments to management and the innovation review board.
2. Supports and/ or conducts end-user needs assessments in programmes or projects aimed at improving access to Nutrition and Education supplies and equipment.
3. Creates terms of reference (TOR’s) and shares technical expertise for procurement of products and services to support the development and scale up of product innovation.
4. Conducts market research for innovations, provides analysis, background information, recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products.
5. In collaboration with UNICEF Programme Division, Regional Advisors, Country offices and other key partners, contributes to the development of Target Product Profiles (TPP's) and product specifications for innovative products and technologies.
6. Plans, collaborates and executes in-country field trials of innovative products and technologies.
7. Communicates to and collaborates with developers, suppliers, academia and industry to stimulate markets and drive innovation in this sector with the end goal being availability of products for procurement.
8. Ensures strong connection between Innovation Unit and the Technical Centers within the Supply Division and the communities of practice within Nutrition and Education globally, with particular focus on UNICEF Programme Division, regional and country offices.
9. Creates tools to document best practices for driving product innovation around Nutrition and Education programmes.
10. Identifies fundraising opportunities and manages budgets for the Nutrition and Education innovation portfolio.
11. Creates other tools and processes as required and requested by the supervisor.
12. Engages in any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

A completed advanced university degree (Master’s Degree*) in one of the following areas: Public Health, Policy, Design, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Social Sciences, or a field relevant to international Nutrition and/or education related development assistance is required.

*A completed 1st university degree (Bachelor's degree) and 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree (Master’s).

 Experience:

• 5 years working in product innovation, product development (with focus on at least one of the following areas: nutrition or education), business development, implementing business plans in UN or private sector required. Working in UN structures a plus.
• Knowledge of research and development; working with manufacturers, innovators and entrepreneurs at international and local levels desirable
• Budget management is required
• Experience in procurement processes is a plus but not essential 
• Good knowledge of computer applications, including internet navigation and various office applications along with advanced Excel skills required. 

  Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, all eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.