Consultancy on Innovation and technology for Public Sector

Result of Service The below documents will result from this consultancy: - A report on “Innovation Model to enhance the operations and services of Arab Public Institutions”, of no more than 50 pages in English - An executive summary of 2-3 pages - PowerPoint presentation on the model, its use, and examples.

Work Location Remotely

Expected duration 5 months

Duties and Responsibilities Over the last five years, innovation in the public sector has stepped further into the forefront as a vital characteristic for government to build operations and services.

Emerging technologies, changing needs of citizens, growing complex development challenges and the impact of external elements together with commitments to create responsive, inclusive, trustworthy and effective public institutions, are the driving forces behind innovation in the public sector. The combination of innovation, and technologies can produce new ideas on fostering inclusiveness, responsiveness and building trust between citizen and government, therefore supporting the achievement of SDG 16.

Innovation can be resource consuming with potential failure and adjustments its constant companions. To make innovation more tangible so that governments can benefit from it, a model that guides the innovation process, from activity conceptualization to the formulation and testing of an initiative, could be used. Such a model could grant the freedom needed to freely create and innovate, while at the same time fulfils the need of governments for structure and accountability. The assumption is that such a model will foster innovation within the public institutions, by giving them a starting point and minimizing the potential overwhelming nature of the innovation process.

Under the ESCWA project, “Expediting the use of technology and innovation for enhanced operations in Arab Public Institutions” or Arab ENACT, launched in 2023 a report is planned to enhance and develop a public sector innovation model that can help in activating innovation within public institutions. Using the existing information as background, the objective of this technical paper is to analyse and then updated and/or change, and expand the existing innovation model, to reflect the current trends and needs of Arab public institutions and citizens and the impact of emerging technologies. The publication should also provide recommendations on how to implement the model and further nurture innovation in public institutions.

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Innovation team (focal point), the consultant will collaborate with ESCWA’s team to prepare the report “An Innovation Model to enhance the operations and services of Arab public Institutions”. The report should include an explanation on the importance, benefits and current trends in innovation in the public sector, the develop and design of an innovation model and recommendations on actualizing innovation in public institutions. The consultant will undertake specifically the following duties: (1) Research the concept of innovation in the public sector and the benefits it can have and the challenges that will be faced to make use of it. (2) Assess the available ESCWA models from the background materials, in the context of current trends and technologies. The background materials include: - Guideline on Fostering Innovation in the Public Sector of the Arab Region - Technical report on the Innovation Process Type and Time Maturity Model (IPTTM). - Community-based innovation for improved social well-being - Workshop on fostering public sector innovation. (3) Research, select and develop the most suitable case studies and examples from the developed and developing countries to streamline innovation in the public sector. (4) Develop a model that can be used to deploy innovation processes in the Arab public institutions for enhancing the internal operation and improving digital services (5) Develop ideas, steps and guidelines needed to activate innovation in the public sector using the developed model (6) Update the draft report according to all received feedback and comments during the reviewing process by ESCWA team.

Qualifications/special skills A Master’s degree in innovation, technology institution building, public administration, governance or any other related area is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of Ten years of professional experience in the domain of innovation and governance, institution building, or public administrative reform is required. Knowledge of emerging technologies and development in the Arab region is highly desired. Previous experience in working with international organizations is required.

Languages Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.