Innovation Strategist

Requisition ID**:2250**
Grade**:ISA-Specialist**
Country**:Austria**
Duty Station**:Vienna**
Category**:International Consultant**
Type of Job Posting**:Internal and External**
Employment Type**:NonStaff-Regular**
Contract Duration**:6 months**
Application Deadline:
**Vacancy Announcement**
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

**ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT**

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The position is located under the Innovation Lab (ODG/CSI/LAB). As part of the Office of the Director General, the Innovation Lab mobilises and supports UNIDO teams and partners in the process of scouting, developing, testing and scaling up innovative service delivery solutions. It acts as a clearing house for an organisation-wide network of focal points on innovation in technical cooperation with the objective to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the organisation’s delivery of services.

**FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Develop and implement innovation strategies to support UNIDO's mission and strategy objectives;
- Lead the identification and analysis of opportunities for innovation;
- Develop and implement processes for managing internal and external innovation programmes;
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to develop new products, services, and processes;
- Provide guidance and support to project teams to ensure the successful implementation of innovation projects;
- Establish partnerships with external organisations to support innovation initiatives;
- Monitor and analyse trends in innovation and technology to identify opportunities for UNIDO;
- Prepare and present reports and recommendations to senior management;
- Foster a culture of innovation within UNIDO and its partner organisations.

**MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS**

**Education**: Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Innovation Management, or a related field, is **required.**

**Technical and Functional Experience**:

- Minimum of 5 years of experience in innovation management, strategy development, and implementation is **required.**:

- Experience in managing innovation programmes and driving change in large organisations in **required.**:

- Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and opportunities are **required**.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders are **required**.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams are **required**.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment is **required**.
- Knowledge of public institutions and the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) is desirable.

**Languages**: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

**REQUIRED COMPETENCIES**

**Core values**:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible ma