Background
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As a culmination of the introductory work that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka began on innovation and foresight tools and approaches, the country’s – and the region’s first – social innovation lab, Citra, was established back in 2018. The Lab which started as a joint initiative between the then Ministry of Science, Technology and Research and UNDP Sri Lanka, is now anchored within the Prime Minister’s Office.
In 2023, an independent review of Citra was conducted with a focus on how best to evolve Citra Lab to support public sector transformation in Sri Lanka, including the social and financial conditions for success. The review highlighted that Citra Lab now occupies a unique position from which it has been, and is able to be, leveraged to drive benefits and opportunities for system reform in Sri Lanka. The findings highlighted that Citra Lab could be an effective and impactful lever for driving and enabling genuine and systemic transformation of both the government and economy in Sri Lanka, particularly in the immediate and urgent context of major fiscal and social pressures. In July 2024, The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, convened a meeting with senior representatives from the Ministries of Education, Finance and Planning, Public Administration, and Technology on operationalizing Citra 3.0, a transformational public sector innovation lab and to explore the possibilities for furthering government investments and in August 2024, Citra 3.0 was formally approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Under its new iteration, the Lab, given its position as a joint initiative between UNDP and the Prime Minister’s Office, will operate under three workstreams – systems transformation, public sector innovation, and policy coherence. This work will be driven by four key enablers – digital, data, innovation, and service design. Furthermore, Citra’s work will be guided by four lead Ministries, who will sit on the Lab’s Governance Board – namely, Education, Finance and Planning, Public Administration, and Technology. The Lab closely works under the guidance of the Regional Innovation and Digital Unit of UNDP in Asia Pacific as well as other arms of UNDP like the Strategic Innovation Unit, Chief Digital Office, Bureau of Policy and Programme Support etc. at the UNDP Headquarters.
Against this backdrop, UNDP seeks to recruit a Citra Innovation Lab Manager who will be responsible for the overall management of the Citra Lab.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Citra Innovation Lab Manager will day to day report to the Team Leader, Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation Team under the overall strategic guidance of UNDP Resident Representative and the Secretary to the Prime Minister as co-chairs of the Citra board. He or she will draw technical guidance from the Chief Digital Office and Innovation Team in Bangkok, while also working closely with the programme team of UNDP Country Office and Global Policy Network at large.
Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation, the Citra Innovation Lab Manager will be responsible for providing strategic leadership as wel as for the day-to-day management of the Lab.The Lab Manager will be responsible for providing strategic leadership as well as for the day-to-day management of the Lab.
Provide Strategic Leadership and Management
- Lead the development and execution of Citra Lab’s multi-year programme for work and annualized initiatives aligned with UNDP CO and the Government of Sri Lanka’s priorities.
- Ensure alignment of Citra’s work streams (Systems Transformation, Public Sector Innovation, Policy Coherence) with the Lab’s key enablers (Digital, Data, Innovation, Design).
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of Citra Lab, ensuring efficient and effective management of resources, projects, and staff.
- Regularly review and analyze data to inform decision-making and improve programme performance.
Lead Programme Development and Implementation
- Identify and prioritize projects that align with Citra Lab’s strategic objectives and the broader goals of public sector transformation and proactively identify and ensure links with UNDP’s ongoing and future programmes and substantive offer in close consultation with UNDP CO.
- Develop and manage a portfolio of innovation projects that leverage digital, data, innovation, and design to drive systemic reform.
- Ensure successful implementation and delivery of projects within scope, time, and budget, while achieving desired outcomes and impact.
- Proactively reach out to UNDP’s knowledge hubs and networks in Bangkok, New York, and elsewhere to bring best practice and expertise to ongoing efforts supported by Citra and also contribute back to the Global Policy Network.
- Undertake regular stock-taking exercises/ interviews to take feedback from all stakeholders and incorporate changes focused on enhanced quality of service delivery for the Lab’s government partners.
Ensure Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Cultivate and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, UNDP CO, relevant regional and global teams of UNDP, private sector partners, civil society, development partners, MDBs, and other relevant entities.
- Facilitate collaboration and co-creation with stakeholders to ensure broad-based support and buy-in for Citra’s initiatives.
- Active participation in national and international forums, promoting the Lab’s work and fostering partnerships and collaborations.
- Maintain open and effective communication channels with all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Design and deliver resource mobilization strategies to support fundraising for key public sector innovation prototypes/ sandboxes.
- Coordination and preparation work conducted for the Citra Governance Board, and ensuring that the Lab’s work and planning follows the guidance provided by the Board.
Engage in Policy and Advocacy and Learning
- Advocate for policy changes and reforms that support the objectives of Citra Lab and the broader goals of public sector innovation and transformation.
- Engage with policymakers to influence and shape policies that enhance public sector efficiency and effectiveness.
- Anchor in-person/ virtual advocacy learning sessions, produce policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials for strategic positioning of Citra Lab and communicate the impact and importance of Citra’s work.
- Engage with the Regional Innovation and Digital Team for deeper engagements and synergies in cross-learning, sharing and replicating various new approaches of public sector innovation
Ensure Resource Mobilization for Financial Sustainability
- Oversee the multiyear resource moblization and management plans, financial management of Citra Lab, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective use of resources.
- Identify and secure funding opportunities to ensure the financial sustainability of the Lab.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
- Partnership Management. Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
- Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
2030 People Agenda
- Gender. Innovation for Gender Equality
Business Direction and Strategy
- Systems Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Digital
- Facilitation of digital innovation. Ability to facilitate groups and individuals through a digital innovation process.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree, (master’s degree or equivalent) in Innovation, Sustainable Management, Business Administration or Management, Economics, Law, Finance, Public Policy, ICT & Digital, Governance, or a related area, is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree)in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of working experience in innovation, management, project coordination or a related area.
- Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination in the context of innovation or related area is preferred.
- Experience in previously working with a public sector innovation lab equivalent is an asset.
- Prior experience working in an innovation lab, design thinking and systemic design will be an asset.
- Prior work experience with UN entity or development organization will be an added advantage.
Required languages:
- Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English communication skills is required.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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