WFP UNHRD Brindisi - Head of Innovation Lab NOC

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

We are seeking to fill the position of Head of Innovation Lab NOC, based in the UNHRD Brindisi Hub.

Italian Residents holding a valid passport and/or identity card, and Reside within commuting distance (100-kilometer radius or distance that can be covered within 1.5 hours by car or public transport under average conditions of traffic, weather, and roads) to the office location at the duty station ((World Food Programme, UNHRD Brindisi, Ex SS 16 Km 906.9, 72100 Brindisi, Italy), or be willing to relocate to reside within commuting distance to the location of the office at your own cost before taking up the assignment.

Please note that this vacancy announcement is being issued internally and externally.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Global hunger has reached alarming levels in 2022, and WFP, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2020, remains dedicated and committed to address this global food crisis. The United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) is a network of strategically located hubs established to support humanitarian organizations and the broader international community in responding to emergencies and crises. UNHRD provides essential services such as storage, easy access to critical supplies, and technical assistance.

As the Head of the Innovation Lab within the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), you will be at the forefront of fostering innovative solutions and driving technological advancements to address global humanitarian challenges in emergency preparedness and response. The Innovation Lab is a key resource within UNHRD, playing a central role in shaping strategy, ensuring continuity of innovation efforts.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive)

1. Contribute to the development of a strategy and a related plan for the Innovation Lab, aligning initiatives with UNHRD's overall goals to support the organization's broader supply chain strategy.
2. Build and maintain partnerships with private and academic sector, suppliers and other stakeholders, keep the community of partners abreast of the Innovation Lab achievements to support the development of the Innovation Lab current and future initiatives.
3. Contribute to resources mobilization efforts for UNHRD projects and follow up on the resource situation, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
4. Assess and optimize processes to provide better services and enhance operational efficiency by leveraging basic and advanced technology solutions.
5. Manage innovation, research, and development initiatives to create agile, climate-responsible solutions for efficient emergency response in collaboration with private sector entities, academia, and key stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster innovation.
6. Coordinate innovation projects from initiation to completion, ensuring a human-centered design approach is applied throughout.
7. Collaborate with design teams and key stakeholders to co-create solutions that address the evolving needs of humanitarian response.
8. Develop technical specifications for long-term agreements related to core activities and items (e.g., MSUs, generators, prefabs) and support with the evaluations of proposals to ensure compliance with UNHRD standards.
9. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, analyzing best practices from the humanitarian and development fields, academia, and the private sector to enhance operational efficiency.
10. Provide specialized technical advice for the identification, evaluation, and adoption of innovative technologies and practices.
11. Foster a culture of creativity and continuous improvement within the Innovation Lab.
12. Other duties as required.

ACCOUNTABILITIES STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: University degree in Industrial Design, Architecture or Engineering with demonstrated experience in sustainable product design and project management. Master’s degree and PhD’s degree are preferred in relevant field.

Language: Proficiency in English (Level C) and in Italian (level C) is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Experience: Proven minimum 5 years’ professional experience in a leadership role, specifically in scientific/academic research and/or practice in design, project management, and innovation within relevant sector.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong leadership and communication skills to guide a diverse team and collaborate effectively within multicultural contexts.
• Strong mentoring and teaching ability to lead diverse team and fostering ongoing learning in the field of sustainable design and innovation.
• Commitment to a human-centered design approach, ensuring solutions are tailored to the unique needs of communities.
• Recognized communication ability and participation within international scientific/academic context, and passion for driving sustainable positive change.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian sector and ability to collaborate with partners.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR as outlined in the Generic Job Profile “Head of Operations NOC” apply.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Please visit the following website for detailed information on working with WFP “ http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Salary scale: UN - Salary Scale

Applicants must:

• Be Italian Residents holding a valid passport and/or identity card, and;
• Reside within commuting distance (100-kilometer radius or distance that can be covered within 1.5 hours by car or public transport under average conditions of traffic, weather, and roads) to the office location at the duty station World Food Programme, UNHRD Brindisi, Ex SS 16 Km 906.9, 72100 Brindisi, Italy), o be willing to relocate to reside withing commuting distance to the location of the office at your own cost before taking up the assignment.

Please note that applications should be sent in English. Only applications received in English will be considered.

Deadline: 24 March 2024

Ref. VA: 831973

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service