Innovation Strategy Consultant (International)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF Serbia office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF in Serbia to operationalize the recommendations and direction put forth by the formative assessment on innovation for the remaining period of the current country programme (2021-2025), and to lead the formulation of a comprehensive innovation strategy through which children’s rights can be further elevated and accelerated. The forthcoming programme cycle (2026-2030) of UNICEF Serbia will incorporate an actionable innovation strategy and workplan (including but not exclusively related to digital innovations) within its proposed business model.

Work Assignment Overview:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Representative of UNICEF Serbia, and in close collaboration with the Child Rights Monitoring Specialist, the Planning and Monitoring Officer, the Technology for Development (T4D) focal point and the national Innovation Consultant, as well as under the overall strategic guidance of the Representative, this consultancy will support the Serbia CO through a part-time engagement over a period of 9-10 months to develop a comprehensive innovation strategy and work plan, as well as support the mainstreaming of innovation in the new Country Programme development process.

The consultancy will entail an average engagement of 10 working days each month, with some of the work requiring physical presence in Belgrade, while some could be done remotely, working closely with the Country Office programme team and core innovation strategy team. The financial offer (daily fee) should therefore consist of two daily rates – one for remote work (5 days per month) and another one which will include travel and daily subsistence costs for the days spent working in Belgrade (approximately 5 days per month). One instance of travel to Belgrade per month is expected.

Duration of the assignment: December 2023 – October 2024

Overall task description:

• Identify and define the CO innovation vision and purpose
• Help activate new solutions
• Position UNICEF in Serbia for successful innovation work
• Build the Innovation Strategy and ensure full integration in the new UNICEF Serbia Country Programme
• Take initial steps to operationalize the Innovation Strategy

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• First level university degree in technology, social sciences, business administration or other related fields.
• At least 10 years of technical experience on innovation, strategy development, knowledge management or other related fields.
• Experience in public and private fundraising is an asset.
• Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
• High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
• Fluency in English with excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of Serbian is an asset.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in USD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate for remote work (all costs included),
2. Daily rate for work on location in Belgrade (inclusive of travel to Belgrade and daily subsistence costs for the days spent working in Belgrade, approximately 5 days per month)
3. Daily travel allowance for traveling within Serbia (including accommodation),
4. Transportation costs per km (for travel within Serbia).

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.