Urban Innovation & Creative Sector Designer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Creative sector and industries which include performing arts, crafts, advertising, design, entertainment, architecture, literature, multi-media among others, are a vital force in accelerating human development. If well-nurtured, the creative economy can trigger sustainable human development and socio-economic transformation and growth. The creative economy is an essential source of commercial and cultural value. Creative arts industries are vibrant sectors of the global economy. They account for 7% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growing at an annual rate of 8.7%. The global market for traded creative goods and services totalled a record USD 547 billion in 2012 with exports from developing countries totalling about USD 272 billion. According to UNESCO, creative industries account for more than 30 million jobs globally, employing more young people aged 15-29 worldwide than any other sector. In many countries in Africa, for example, we are seeing the creative industry contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with Nigeria as a notable case which rebased its economy on the significant contribution of the creative industry such as ‘Nollywood’. In Nigeria, creative industries contributed approximately US $18 billion to GDP (World Bank 2020).

Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are creating a new realm of opportunity in Africa. Available analytics point out that the sector is on the verge of becoming one of the major drivers of sustainable development and economic growth in the continent. The sector is estimated to employ about 2,4 million people albeit mostly through the informal economy and generates $ US 58 billion in revenue on the continent, which represents 1.1% of the continent´s GDP. Evidence shows that CCIs employ a much larger share of young people than other sectors. The Creative Industries provide youth -and especially women- with the chance to become entrepreneurs. While the country has influential creatives, there isn’t a clear talent pipeline for nurturing the next generation of creatives – including diversifying options beyond Lagos. UNDP’s programmatic response in Nigeria through the 2023-227 Country Programme Document recognises these opportunities and outlines two key objectives: socio-economic recovery in the medium term and structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development as pathways towards the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. Job creation, innovation and youth empowerment are key pathways of transformation, and the creative economy is identified as a strategic lever of growth.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of UNDP Lagos and Chief Innovation Officer (ai) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteers will:

• Explore opportunities for solving urbanization challenges in collaboration with creatives, entrepreneurs, and startups. • Initiate and sustain regular engagement with creative sector actors in Nigeria – identifying opportunities for partnership with UNDP. • Support efforts to design avenues and pathways for incubating and accelerating creative sector start-ups, venture builders, and talent pipelines across strategic value chains. • As a sub-set to the Lean Innovation Facility, the working with key team identifies entry points for supporting urban innovators, creative sector startups especially those leveraging tech and digital for transformation. • Nurture partnerships with community of startups, entrepreneurs, creatives building solutions to address urban challenges. • Establish platforms / learning communities, festivals and urban sensing, creative sector engagements. • Nurture partnerships for structuring blended financing instruments, sharing best practices and experiences, skilling, and talent capacity development, building an enabling regulatory environment, tackling other challenges of creative economy.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Social sciences, Arts, Design or related field.

• At least 2 years of professional experience working with or within the creative sector economy / industries in Nigeria and Africa; urban growth sectors • Experience legal aspects related to copyright law, IP working with venture builders within the creative sectors – including accelerators, incubators & co-working, and design labs. • Experience in incubating, building creative sector enterprises, start-ups, or business in any specific sector in Nigeria or Africa. • Experience in designing creative sector development programmes. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • 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. • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System.

Nigeria is a unique country, and it provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.