International Consultancy / Ecosystem Accelerator Consultant

International Consultancy: Ecosystem Accelerator Consultant, UNICEF Sierra Leone

Job Number: 525315 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Sierra Leone

Work Type : Consultancy

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Technology!

Since September 2009, UNICEF Sierra Leone has championed the use of Technology and Innovation to help address the issues that most affect the children and women of Sierra Leone Initially focused on Ebola Response and the need for Real Time Information to support and direct activities, the results achieved through Technology for Development (T4D) since 2009 have firmly established UNICEF Sierra Leone’s reputation as an agency committed to, and with expertise in, Innovation and technology for development

With the recent establishment of the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) by the Government of Sierra Leone, a unique confluence of circumstance has made possible a step change in the use of Technology for Development in Sierra Leone, helping to influence the wider West and Central African region and with potential for more global reach within the Organisation. DSTI was established to use science, technology and innovation to support the Government of Sierra Leone to deliver on its national development plan effectively and efficiently; and to help transform Sierra Leone into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub.

UNICEF Sierra Leone is currently working with and providing support to DSTI to promote and enable the use of T4D in Sierra Leone for improved results for Children, including:

Direct UNICEF Sierra Leone Technical Support to DSTI.

Enabling a Sierra Leone Drone Testing Corridor.

Internal Capacity Strengthening around Machine Learning and Data for Decision Making.

Ecosystem Strengthening Support.

The consultant engaged for this assignment will provide direct support for DSTI’s ecosystems strengthening support objectives.

Purpose

Given the growth in work around Innovation and T4D and with the favorable enabling environment that now exists in Sierra Leone UNICEF Sierra Leone is seeking an Ecosystem Accelerator consultant who will provide direct support to UNICEF Sierra Leone and DSTI in planning, managing and leading the promotion and development of work towards establishing an enabling and collaborative National Innovation Ecosystem in Sierra Leone.

Methodology and Technical Approach

• The Consultant will divide time between T4D section in UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Office in Freetown and DSTI Building at Statehouse.

• The consultant will closely work with the multi-sectoral T4D team in SLCO, Office of Innovation in New York, DSTI in Freetown and others to complete the work.

• The consultancy may require regular field visits to the regions.

Activities, output and deliverables

Some of the duties will include:

Develop and implement a local technology and innovation ecosystem strategy for UNICEF Sierra Leone and DSTI to encourage Innovation with respect to UNICEF’s commitment to Generation Unlimited and DSTI’s commitment to help transform Sierra Leone into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub.

Key tasks:

Create an up to date mapping and assessment report of all existing stakeholders in the Innovation/T4D ecosystem space in Sierra Leone.

Create a strategic development plan for the establishment of an enabling and collaborative National Innovation Ecosystem in Sierra Leone for UNICEF and DSTI.

Develop a concept and plan to establish a creative space(s)/hub to showcase and support the National Innovation Ecosystem in Sierra Leone:

Provide support to the DSTI Ecosystem team in the establishment of pilot National Innovation Ecosystem Creative Space to serve as a program development laboratory, filter and test-bed for initiatives with the ability to engender solutions that bring results for children.

Develop clear criteria and assessment points for entry, continuance and graduation for participants of National Innovation Ecosystem Creative Space.

Make assessment and recommendations for initial cohort of participants to enter the National Innovation Ecosystem Creative Space.

Develop a strategic rollout plan for the scale up for Creative Space(s) across Sierra Leone.

Identify and support local Innovation and Technology solutions suitable for scale up, that could address current challenges children are facing in coordination with UNICEF and DSTI:

Identify and report on relevant start-ups for participation in the National Innovation Ecosystem program.

Support any pilot projects and partnerships to seek and secure seed/scale funding.

Engage with the UNICEF Office of Innovation to ensure that have the appropriate and up-to-date information on progress regarding support to UNICEF Sierra Leone and DSTI.

Management, organization and timeframe

Ecosystem Accelerator Consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF T4D Specialist.

Duration

 11.5 months, effective as soon as possible

Unsatisfactory performance:

Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed as per agreed deliverables and accepted by UNICEF.

Terms of Payment

Monthly payment on receipt of invoice, based on monthly tasks and progress reports, approved upon monthly review with supervisor.

Condition of work

The consultant will be based in Sierra Leone.

The consultant must secure medical insurance (inclusive of medical evacuation) prior to assuming his/her duties with UNICEF (proof of insurance with med-evac clause is required).

Must have done UN BSAFE Certificate of completion as well as the mandatory UNICEF courses; Ethics and Integrity, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Master’s degree in related field or if bachelor’s degree, an additional 3 years of work experience in this field.

At least 5 years working experience in the field of Ecosystem technology.

Demonstrated experience within start up business, Venture Capital, Integrators, Incubator/Tech spaces, and/or Innovation/Entrepreneurship ecosystem at National and International level.

Knowledge of the existing Innovation/T4D/Startup in Sierra Leone.

Demonstrated ability to build consensus across diverse set of actors.

Solid understanding of the role technology plays in the development and humanitarian sectors, as well as the UN system.

Strong leadership skills; capacity to prioritize and manage a diverse range of partners, projects and activities.

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to unite fragmented, and occasionally opposing teams and ideas

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date Wed Aug 14 2019 00:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)