Junior Professional Officer on Innovation, P2, Tirana, Albania (only open to Swedish nationals and permanent residency holders)

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 84,992 USD and 115,441 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up. Get inspired by the UNICEF video below and apply to be part of this amazing organization!

UNICEF | for every child - YouTube

For every child, Wellbeing and Development

The UNICEF Albania Country Office (ACO) is hiring a JPO position that will be funded by the Sweden Government. Technology for development is one of the major implementation strategies for increased wellbeing and development of children in Albania and in the framework of the new UNICEF Albania country program for 2022-2026 innovation will be a leading approach under the oversight of the Deputy Representative. The key function of this position is to support the office in mainstreaming social innovation throughout its programmes as well as to test and scale up new partnerships, technologies, and collaborations to help Albania to realize its children’ rights.

For more detailed information about UNICEF Albania office results and areas of interventions check our website at https://www.unicef.org/albania/

How can you make a difference?

The JPO Innovation Officer will proactively identify, support the development, coordination, and monitoring of innovations, and will provide ongoing technical support to each programme team in the design and implementation of their respective Innovation flagship initiatives.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Deputy Representative, the Innovation Officer will be responsible for activities as below:

Provide support to program development and planning

• Research and report on innovation trends and data for use in program development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results;
• Provide support to an overall cross-sectoral innovation strategy/action plan, including formulation, design, planning and implementation;
• Proactively scout for new innovative ideas and opportunities;

• Contribute to the development/mainstreaming of innovation into sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning;

• Prepare regular/mandated sectoral program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress;

• Support the development, coordination and testing of innovation products and processes to strengthen and improve efficiency and effectiveness of UNICEF’s programming, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and communication. More specifically, explore the feasibility for deployment of RapidPro – UNICEF’s latest mobile phone-based system for real-time data collection, including negotiations with mobile network companies and other service providers. This may also include implementation of established solutions such as U-Report should this be relevant;

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned;

• Participate in regular program field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results;

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programs/projects and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of program management;

• Document tested innovation projects and processes and ensure effective sharing and generation of knowledge around innovations in the Country Office as well as with UNICEF global innovation network;
• Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor

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

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant area, e.g Information Technology, International Relations, Social Sciences, Social Development; a first level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university;
• At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project design and implementation or other relevant programmes; experience with startups is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills and accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations and authorities at different levels, familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS office applications (Excel, Word, etc) and email/internet, familiarity with database management and office technology equipment;

• Self motivated ability to work with minimum supervision, ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.