National Innovation Consultant, 12 months, Nairobi, office-based + travel, 596507
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF fosters career growth with diverse professional and personal development opportunities.
Job Purpose
The National Innovation Consultant will support UNICEF Kenya's innovation portfolio by leading and contributing to key areas such as innovation design, human-centered design, ecosystem mapping, strategic analysis, capacity building, mentorship systems strengthening, knowledge generation, and programme planning. This role is crucial for advancing innovation, digital transformation, youth engagement, and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people in Kenya. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Innovation Manager and technical guidance of the Innovation Specialist, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of innovation projects within the country office. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and implementing innovative solutions to address child-related challenges.
Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and delivery of UNICEF Kenya's innovation portfolio. This includes leading and contributing to work on innovation design and human-centred design principles to develop child-centric solutions. The role involves conducting ecosystem mapping and strategic analysis to identify opportunities and challenges within the innovation landscape. A key responsibility is developing and implementing capacity building and mentorship systems to strengthen local innovation capabilities. The consultant will also be tasked with generating knowledge and evidence related to innovation initiatives and ensuring effective programme planning and coordination. Furthermore, the consultant will support a range of innovation, digital transformation, youth engagement, and humanitarian initiatives that contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people in Kenya. This includes ensuring alignment with UNICEF's strategic goals and operational frameworks, and fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to maximize impact.
Work Experience
A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in programme management, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement. At least 2 years of experience working in Kenya, including engagement in underserved or marginalized contexts, is also required.
Skills
Innovation design, Human-centered design, Ecosystem mapping, Strategic analysis, Capacity building, Mentorship systems strengthening, Knowledge management, Programme planning and coordination, Project management, Stakeholder engagement, Monitoring and evaluation (M&E), Agile and adaptive environments