Innovation: Link Lab Manager at UNHCR

Terms of Reference

Title: Link Lab Manager

Duty: HQ based, with travel to the field

Duration: 12 months (with extension based on performance)

About UNHCR Innovation

We’re constantly rethinking the way UNHCR works, while tapping in to the spirit of innovation that already exists within the organization. We aim to empower staff to work together with refugee communities to design innovative solutions to the challenges they face. We do this in three ways:

1. We amplify innovations already happening within UNHCR.
2. We connect innovators within UNHCR to time, resources, and each other.
3. We explore innovations happening outside UNHCR. Rather than reinvent the wheel, we look for ways to adapt them to refugee challenges.

About the job

Our Innovation Labs are where we get to the practical details of adopting innovative approaches throughout UNHCR. Through our Innovation Labs we launch, support, and develop projects that focus on the needs of the forcibly displaced at each stage of the project design process. Labs are a space of experimentation, where we derive lessons from both success and failure. Labs are also collaborative and inter-connected. Most importantly, Labs are adaptive. This means that the work of the Lab doesn’t end when we find a solution. Rather, we aim to constantly refine that solution, get feedback from the end-user (refugees), and iterate. Each lab revolves around 4 key elements:

1. Create an enabling environment for innovation where experimentation is welcome
2. Develop solutions through the innovation incubation process
3. Promote learning and document good practice
4. Advise and support scale-up processes

The Link Lab currently works at the intersection between data, communication, and technology. For that reason, the Link Lab also works at and across the intersection between several divisions, country operations, and UNHCR Innovation. Current projects include inter alia prototyping two-way communication between refugees and UNHCR using SMS, data visualisation, mobile app development, and a host of others. The opportunities will only continue to grow but we first want to revision the Lab together with the new coordinator – that’s you.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and self-driven individual with experience in the field(s) of innovation, project and change management and, importantly, one or several of the following: data; communication; ICT; Computer Science. You will have between 5 - 8 years of previous experience, including experience from multicultural working environments, from (large) international organizations (or not-for profit) and/or from humanitarian/development environments. You will have a relevant Masters Degree and a good practical and theoretical understanding of innovation, training and project/change management; its processes and approaches. You will ideally have a personality that balances support to operations with appropriate challenges and questions and the ability to see the ‘big picture’ and, at the same time, have a good sense of administrative and programme details.

You will be fluent in English and preferable one more UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic preferred)

Accountability

· The Link Lab is an established service to the rest of UNHCR, and its partners, that fits the vision and strategic goals of UNHCR’s 2015 Innovation Strategy;

· The Link Lab activities are communicated to, and understood by field operations, and relevant divisions.

Responsibility

• Within UNHCR’s broader 2015 strategy for Innovation, we would like you to work with us, and our colleagues in order to re-vision the Link Lab. This will include creating a strategy to drive innovations around the following areas: refugee-focused connectivity, data and communication advancements at UNHCR that can improve access to and quality, and representation of information and data resources for refugees and other PoCs as well as empowerment opportunities;
• You will manage a variety of pilot projects (some to be developed, others that are on-going), in collaboration with relevant divisions, that have been designed to test pioneering approaches, and establish good practices that may be scaled up;
• You will provide technical support, guidance, and advice in collaboration with relevant divisions, to operations that are investigating new approaches to connectivity, data, communication, and information;
• You will create and maintain work plans, budgets, M & E systems for the Link Lab, and you’ll need to be able to provide timely reports to management, but also very much linked, you will work closely with our Engagement team. One of the most important parts of your job is going to be to communicate what you, and more importantly, others in UNHCR operations are working on;
• You will be responsible for selecting and using a range of different project management tools, which you’ll select yourself, depending on the partners – in-house and external –and combination of partners that are required for each project;
• You will also be responsible for supporting the 2015 Innovation Fellowship in areas of subject relevance. This is a joint responsibility across the Innovation team.

Qualifications

This is a unique role, and so we’d ideally like to have somebody with the following qualifications and experience:

· Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a field related to Computer Science, ICT, information management, or data management.

· 5 - 8 years of experience in data, technology, and innovation, preferably within, though not limited to, humanitarian/development settings;

· Strong interest in and exposure to humanitarian and development issues, especially in the area of data and technology;

· Demonstrable experience interacting with external software partners;

· Demonstrated experience with advocacy; excellent communication/networking skills; fluency in English necessary;

· Demonstrable experience implementing new systems within large organizations;

· Ability to coordinate and manage budgets and multiple projects;

· Experience in problem definition, solution design, and project implementation desired.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you’d like to apply, please email a cover letter, and CV to innovation@unhcr.org by 15th January, 2015