Innovation Officer (NO-2), FT, #00108857, Dar Es Salaam
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. UNICEF Tanzania's Country Programme leverages innovation and digital transformation, including data platforms and digital engagement channels, to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Job Purpose
The Innovation Officer, focusing on adolescent and youth participation, acts as a cross-sectoral enabler for UNICEF Tanzania’s digital transformation and innovation agenda. Working within the Digital Impact & Innovation Unit, the post supports programme sections in adapting, implementing, and scaling digital platforms, Technology for Development (T4D) solutions, and digital public goods. This includes tools like U-Report and RapidPro, ensuring they are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children, adolescents, and young people. The role also aims to strengthen meaningful youth voice, participation, and feedback loops across UNICEF-supported programmes and partnerships in Tanzania.
Responsibilities
The Innovation Officer is responsible for enabling the continuous operation of ICT infrastructure and ensuring accessibility to ICT solutions and services. This includes providing help, support, and assistance with capacity building and knowledge management to programme sections. The role also involves supporting operational and administrative tasks related to innovation and digital transformation initiatives. A key function is to assist in the delivery of results by effectively implementing and scaling digital platforms and T4D solutions. This encompasses adapting and managing tools such as U-Report and RapidPro, and identifying practical opportunities to enhance youth participation and feedback mechanisms within UNICEF-supported programmes. The officer will contribute to strengthening programme effectiveness and efficiency through digital innovation.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in information technology management, large-scale innovation, digital transformation, or Technology for Development (T4D) projects is required. Experience in ICT contract management and procurement, or business operations, is also necessary.
Skills
Training and capacity building, Strategic thinking, Digital and innovation initiative conceptualization, planning, and execution, Knowledge transfer, Excellent written and oral communication, Digital/innovation programme design and management, Human-centered design, Data analytics for development, Real-time monitoring and digital engagement platforms (e.g., RapidPro, U-Report), ICT project management, Responsible artificial intelligence, Data governance