Innovation Adviser and Product Manager (Innovations for data and Frontier tech)

Functional Responsibilities:

The Innovation Adviser and Product Manager (Innovations for Data and Frontier Tech) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Knowledge, Strategy and collaboration for technological innovation
• In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, guide the team of the Quality-of-Life Initiative through a process to identify the most impactful innovations for data collection, analysis, and visualisation in response to the objectives and principles set forward by the project and its partners.
• Strategic Innovation Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with the initiative goals and UN 2.0, focusing on specific areas to enhance the overall product offering.
• Technology Scouting: Stay abreast of emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies relevant to the project, exploring opportunities for integration to maintain a competitive edge. Inform the team on trends, opportunities and needs analysis throughout the implementation of the project, in line with the principles of the UN 2.0.
• Idea Generation and Evaluation: Lead brainstorming sessions and idea generation activities, evaluating and prioritising concepts based on feasibility, market demand, and potential impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration among various work streams to drive innovation within the project team.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of project progress, innovations implemented, and lessons learned to facilitate knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Presentation and Reporting: Communicate regularly with leadership and project stakeholders, presenting updates, insights, and recommendations related to innovation initiatives.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that innovative solutions meet high-quality standards, addressing any issues that may arise during the development process.
• Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by seeking feedback, analysing results, and implementing lessons learned into future innovation projects.
• Partnerships and stakeholder engagement for data collection and analysis
• Research, recommend and coordinate strategic partnerships to strengthen and implement the innovation strategy of the Initiative
• Contribute to ongoing dialogue with a variety of stakeholders to advance a joint approach to innovation throughout the Initiative. Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including team members, executives, and external partners, to gather input, feedback, and support for innovation initiatives.
• Support the Project team in leveraging innovations for data collection and analysis throughout the pilot-testing phase of the Initiative
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Coordinate the testing and development of technological applications (x4) for data collection, analysis and management.
• Drive the lifecycle of the digital index platform development from ideation and development to prototyping, iteration and to final roll-out. Advise the Project Management team on the end-to-end execution of innovation projects, coordinating timelines, resources, and budgets to ensure successful and timely delivery.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with innovation projects and develop strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring a smooth implementation process.
• Performance Measurement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the success of innovation projects, continuously monitoring and adapting strategies based on performance data.
• Coordinate the various vendors engaged in the different components of product development, in close collaboration with the Programme Management Officer, Administrative Officer and Fund Management Officers of the Project
• Through internal and external consultations, develop the detailed concept and technical requirements for the online platform.
• Identify cutting edge tools for data visualisation responding to the objectives of the Initiative and index, which respond to the principles of UN 2.0
• Deliver the Technological Applications of the Project (x4) and digital platform of the Index

Description Of Assignments

• Knowledge, Strategy and collaboration for technological innovation
• In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, guide the team of the Quality-of-Life Initiative through a process to identify the most impactful innovations for data collection, analysis, and visualisation in response to the objectives and principles set forward by the project and its partners.
• Strategic Innovation Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with the initiative goals and UN 2.0, focusing on specific areas to enhance the overall product offering.
• Technology Scouting: Stay abreast of emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies relevant to the project, exploring opportunities for integration to maintain a competitive edge. Inform the team on trends, opportunities and needs analysis throughout the implementation of the project, in line with the principles of the UN 2.0.
• Idea Generation and Evaluation: Lead brainstorming sessions and idea generation activities, evaluating and prioritising concepts based on feasibility, market demand, and potential impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration among various work streams to drive innovation within the project team.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of project progress, innovations implemented, and lessons learned to facilitate knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Presentation and Reporting: Communicate regularly with leadership and project stakeholders, presenting updates, insights, and recommendations related to innovation initiatives.

Expected Deliverables:

• Innovation strategy and action plan
• Bi-monthly updates on innovations, trends, opportunities and needs analysis
• Presentations and reports to project team and partners (Monthly at the minimum)
• Collaboration, partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Research, recommend and coordinate strategic partnerships to strengthen and implement the innovation strategy of the Initiative
• Contribute to ongoing dialogue with a variety of stakeholders to advance a joint approach to innovation throughout the Initiative. Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including team members, executives, and external partners, to gather input, feedback, and support for innovation initiatives.
• Support the Project team in leveraging innovations for data collection and analysis throughout the pilot-testing phase of the Initiative

Expected Deliverables:

• Bi-monthly partnership update reports
• Participation in relevant team meetings and missions
• Contribution to the collection and analysis of data and continuous improvement of the methodology
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Coordinate the testing and development of technological applications (x4) for data collection, analysis and management.
• Drive the lifecycle of the digital index platform development from ideation and development to prototyping, iteration and to final roll-out. Advise the Project Management team on the end-to-end execution of innovation projects, coordinating timelines, resources, and budgets to ensure successful and timely delivery.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with innovation projects and develop strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring a smooth implementation process.
• Performance Measurement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the success of innovation projects, continuously monitoring and adapting strategies based on performance data.
• Coordinate the various vendors engaged in the different components of product development, in close collaboration with the Programme Management Officer, Administrative Officer and Fund Management Officers of the Project
• Through internal and external consultations, develop the detailed concept and technical requirements for the online platform.
• Identify cutting edge tools for data visualisation responding to the objectives of the Initiative and index, which respond to the principles of UN 2.0
• Deliver the Technological Applications of the Project (x4) and digital platform of the Index
• The consultant is expected to travel to Riyadh (or another location) for onboarding, training and knowledge management facilitation purposes over a period of 10 working days. The exact dates to be confirmed. (travel costs is not included in the assignment and should be paid from UN-Habitat travel budget)

Expected Deliverables:

• Product ideation/review
• session reports for each (4) technological application and the digital platform
• Risk Matrix for innovation developed and updated throughout the project cycle
• Technical specifications document
• Data visualisation solutions proposal with options
• Technological Applications for data collection and analysis delivered (x4)
• Index Platform MVP delivered
• Mission to Riyadh delivered

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Science and Technology, Product Development/Design, Engineering Business Administration.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. Proven track record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in managing technological innovation projects
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Requirements

• Strong technical background with the ability to quickly understand and apply new technologies is required
• Demonstrated understanding of latest data visualisation technologies and their application, practical experience with rapid prototyping and evaluation of user feedback is required
• Practical experience with research – esp. around market trends and analysis is desired
• Demonstrated understanding of open source and open data principles and practices is desired.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing products with applications for social challenges is desired
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills is desired.

Candidates to submit a cover letter explaining how they meet the specified criteria and answering the following questions

• Can you provide an example of a successful innovation project you’ve led in the past? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
• Understanding of the latest data visualisation technologies and their application is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples.
• Understanding of open source and open data principles and practices is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples.
• Experience developing and managing products with applications for social challenges, Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples.

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Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.