Innovation Specialist, P-4, Temporary Position, 364 days, #00138162, Global Programme Division, Generation Unlimited (YPA) secretariat, Outposted in Nairobi (Fully Remote)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a passionate and inclusive culture.

Job Purpose

The Innovation Specialist will lead the coordination, technical management, and partnership delivery of the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) as a global solution for youth skills, employment, and entrepreneurship. This role involves co-developing and managing the integrated roadmap for YOMA and its associated digital identity solutions, advancing YOMA's transition to a Digital Public Good, and leading partner integration planning. The specialist will coordinate various pipelines, provide technical assistance to UNICEF Country Offices and national GenU platforms, support engagement with donors, governments, and the private sector, and ensure YOMA adoption translates into practical implementation plans and measurable youth livelihood outcomes.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for delivering remote technical assistance to Country Offices and national platforms, managing the integrated YOMA technology roadmap and ecosystem architecture, and advancing YOMA's transition toward Digital Public Goods and Digital Public Infrastructure principles. Key accountabilities include prioritizing YoID-led ecosystem integration, building strategic partnerships, and supporting donor engagement. The role also involves supporting the roll-out of the Generation Unlimited Digital Systems Strategy from a YOMA perspective. This includes managing the platform's development, ensuring seamless integration with partners, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders to achieve youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in managing digital product roadmaps, technology partnerships, platform integrations, partner onboarding, technical assistance delivery, or digital transformation initiatives. Experience leading digital platform implementation, ecosystem development, and stakeholder engagement in multi-stakeholder environments is also required.

Skills

Digital product and platform management, Roadmap development and prioritization, Implementation oversight and delivery tracking, Partnership building and stakeholder management, Analytical and problem-solving skills, Understanding of digital ecosystems, Interoperability and digital identity, Verifiable credentials and data governance, Responsible technology and emerging digital trends, Communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, Cross-functional collaboration, Working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments

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