Employer:UNICEF Zimbabwe
Location: Harare
Background
UNICEF Zimbabwe is currently delivering a programme of over 150m US$, largely funded by
donors through multi-donor pooled funds. These Funds are meant to support the Government’s efforts to ensure functionality of the social sectors and provide safety nets to poor and labour-constraint families. As a result, UNICEF Zimbabwe is using third party agents to deliver programme inputs in terms of cash and supplies to the health, WASH and education sectors as well as 55,000 families throughout the country. The large scope and complex nature of the UNICEF programme poses major risks for UNICEF in Zimbabwe and credibility risks for the organization globally. A major objective of the office is to introduce innovative and cost-effective approaches that provide real time data for monitoring end use. A key tool is RapidPro, an open-source SMS-based (text message) platform that is being rolled out to collect real-time data and monitor programme delivery.
Purpose of the Job
UNICEF Zimbabwe’s innovation work currently is focused on the use of mobile technology in selected sectors, and the office is interested in ensuring scale-up of these initiatives, increasing partner capacity building for handing over, further developing, field-testing and deploying of other innovation initiatives, and moving towards their integration into regular UNICEF and Government of Zimbabwe programming. In order to achieve this, UNICEF Zimbabwe seeks to employ an Innovations Consultant who will:
Ø Manage a diverse group of technologists and programmatic consultants working both within UNICEF and outside ;
Ø Develop an innovations strategy and associated work plans;
Ø Collaborate with colleagues and partners at all levels (government to grassroots) to assess, develop and integrate initiatives with an eye on sustainable solutions, as well as youth and community participation;
Ø Support programme teams and partners in RapidPro deployment and, in tandem, identify additional entry points in innovation in the country programme and develop partnerships to initiate work on these opportunities;
Ø Identify opportunities for innovations across the different sectors that UNICEF focuses on, and more specifically exploring additional applications related to real-time monitoring of programme inputs;
Ø Focus on identifying regional and global trends in innovative technologies, reviewing initiatives with programmatic counterparts and assessing opportunities for the use of innovations;
Ø Advise government counterparts, strengthen partnerships and support capacity building with local and regional stakeholders, managing the design and development of software applications and hardware components, coordinating testing and deployment, and monitoring and evaluating outcomes;
Ø Work closely with outside experts to assess Country Program and project needs, and develop an overall strategy that seeks to meet immediate UNICEF programmatic demands while building in-country technical capacity among implementing partners;
Ø Work with open-source development communities, local innovators, youth organizations, cultural and religious organizations, NGOs, the private sector, local media and academia to provide a space to nurture and test new and innovative ideas, develop the next generation of thought leaders and build local capacity.
Key result areas
The consultant will:
Ø Develop an innovations strategy for the country office;
Ø Serve as focal point, working with all relevant programs in UNICEF Zimbabwe ;
Ø Coordinate the work of external experts engaged to assist with innovation initiatives, academic institutions and private sector partners, as well as volunteers, interns, and other experts;
Ø Serve as the primary point-of-contact for the RapidPro deployment and technical teams on behalf of the ZCO;
Ø Oversee, support and advise ongoing programmatic initiatives and hardware development;
Ø Guide the phased development of partnerships with the innovations community, especially in building UNICEF’s capacity to operate with primarily national staff and consultants, and to integrate its work in programmes at both district and national levels, and public- and private-sector partners;
Ø Field-assess and support new initiatives that are proposed by UNICEF HQ, Country, and Regional Office to build innovation coordination in the region and within the global UNICEF family;
Ø Represent UNICEF Zimbabwe at innovations meetings, both local and international.
Qualifications and Competencies
Required:
Ø University degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field;
Ø Minimum of 7 years of work experience;
Ø Experience in at least one modern object-oriented programming language, especially Python;
Ø Experience with relational databases;
Ø Experience with Linux Server setup and familiarity with web services setup and maintenance;
Ø Experience with mobile technology, especially Android or J2ME;
Ø Capable of deploying and maintaining software remotely on a Linux or UNIX-like server;
Ø Knowledge of environment, and understanding of the constraints of working in a developing-world environment. This should include experience developing low-bandwidth applications in challenging work environments;
Ø Ability to align technical goals with organizational strategic goals – that always will mean prioritizing organization’s mission over any particular technology;
Ø Willing to travel (sometimes on short notice) and develop software in the field, directly with end-users.
Desired:
Ø Experienced in developing software as part of a distributed team using Git or Subversion, especially in an open-source environment;
Ø Experience with Django web application framework and RapidSMS framework;
Ø Progressively responsible professional work experience in communication, education, and technology fields;
Ø Proven ability to manage relationships with external partners, including youth coalitions, universities, intellectual leaders, UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector;
Ø Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills;
Ø Experience working with software programmers and telecommunications experts/entities.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application letter together with resume to the address below. All applications must have a cover letter, C.V. and a proposal including the financials. If sending via email quote “Consultancy Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2015/03 Innovations Coordinator),” as subject heading. Please email or drop in person.
Human Resources Manager
(Vacancy Notice: Zim/2015/03)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
or email:hararevacancies@unicef.org
Applications should be received by 18 February 2015. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff, and equal opportunities for people living with disabilities. Well qualified candidates, particularly women and people living with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
