Innovation Manager (African Drone & Data Academy), P-4, Fixed Term, Nairobi, Kenya, Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Office – (Location could be Nairobi or anywhere within +/- 2 hours of Nairobi time zone)

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.

For every child, hope.

For more information about our programme, please visit our website:www.unicef.org/esaro/

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Innovation Specialist (African Drone and Data Academy) will provide advanced technical assistance, quality assurance and knowledge generation/management and partnership building services to African countries to advance the replication of the African Drone and Data Academy and the implementation of youth agency in the green economy via the Youth Agency Market Place (YOMA).

The successful individual will be responsible for the following key accountabilities:

1. Provide support to research, evidence and data uptake

• Lead the development of evidence and analysis/es on the use of drone technology and citizen science/citizen reported data for SDGs, youth agency and green YOMA.
• Lead the development of strategies to leverage drone & earth observation technologies & citizen science to support growth pathways for young people in the green economy and to facilitate youth driven climate action.
• Lead the scaling up of innovative models related to green YOMA and ADDA
• Lead the promotion of evidence generated with respect to green Yom and ADDA

2. Lead partnerships and fund raising around ADDA and green YOMA

• Strengthen partnerships and identify opportunities in the region and beyond focused on the expansion of ADDA, youth led data collection for the environment and the implementation of green YOMA. Of particular importance are pathways for young people linking impact, growth and livelihoods in the green space.
• Lead the fund raising around the expansion/deepening of ADDA and green YOMA, including the exploration of innovative funding mechanisms (such as environmental impact funding, CO2 offset, etc.).
• Explore and establish action-oriented partnerships relevant to ADDA and green YOMA, such as various satellite/remote sensing organizations, research institutions, multi/bilaterals, social enterprises/NGOs/CBOs with a significant footprint or with innovation potential in areas relevant to youth green action.
• • Act as the YOMA Focal Point with internal and external stakeholders around ADDA and Green YOMA and with respect to earth observations, youth collected data and green impact.

3. Manage programmes related to ADDA and Green YOMA

• Manage programmatic dimensions linked to the expansion of ADDA and green YOMA, including the facilitation of all administrative processes. Take a pro-active role to ensure that targets and timelines are met and that the interventions optimize benefits for youth.
• Ensure the linkage between operational research and implementation both in the conceptual and implementation stages. Make sure that lessons learned and documented and disseminated.
• Integrate the youth entrepreneurial dimension into all activities.
• Contribute to the technical dimensions of green YOMA, such as the establishment of appropriate and effective data oracles that allow an automated assessment of impact of youth climate action.
• Establish monitoring frameworks, ensure data flows and provide action-oriented dashboards.

4. Provide strategic guidance and coordination to Country Offices

• Provide guidance to Country Offices on how UNICEF can support governments and strategic partnerships for the replication/expansion of the ADDA and the involvement of youth in climate related action, the green economy and data reporting using YOMA whenever beneficial. Undertake country visit or remote support in that respect.
• Provide technical assistance for Country Offices and partners on how to integrate ADDA and green YOMA into their programming. Clarify with country offices the resource requirements they need to manage those dimensions and advise on possible partnerships.

5. Provide event coordination and management support

• Organize, facilitate or participate in meetings and workshops/seminars related to skills and employability in the green economy to support good programming practices and innovative models, with partners, including the private sector and resource mobilization by partners, donors, and National Commissions.
• Support to regional office management processes and for other section duties, as agreed with the supervisor.

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

• An advanced university degree in business management or engineering (Master or above). Proven track record in terms of research in areas related to the position.
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at an international level, some of which in a developing country, in fields relevant to the use of drones, earth observation and start-up ecosystems. At least two years’ experience in implementing drone supported programmes.
• Proven track record in supporting training of youth in emerging technologies, such as drones, citizen sciences, etc.
• Proven track record in programme management and partnership building.
• Strong fundraising ability and experience in partner management.
• Experience of working with an UN organisation is an asset as is previous knowledge of UNICEF interventions with drones.
• 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from diversified background are encouraged to apply.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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