UNDP Strategy, Learning and Innovation Specialist || Apply Now |

The Strategy, Learning and Innovation Specialist will report to UNDP Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities of Innovation Specialist

Ensures effective leadership of the project learning and innovation approaches and Initiatives and facilitates research

• Support in the identification of opportunities, and in the design and development of innovation in resilient development national and regional initiatives, working with Gov4Res personnel and relevant national and regional partners across the seven implementation countries.
• Undertakes desk based and/or quantitative and qualitative research as required to supplement and contribute to the project’s learning and innovation evidence base.
• Leads the identification and synthesizing of lessons learnt and best practices as they relate to learning and innovation emerging from the project.
• Under the guidance of the Project Manager, actively promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the project team and the responsible parties.
• Ensure the development and dissemination of learning and innovation knowledge and communication products, including a synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices, incorporating GEDSI, from Gov4Res Learning and Advocacy work and identify opportunities for communication as advocacy and support the development of written, spoken or visual pieces to promote this.
• Leads the identification and adoption of relevant innovation and learning tools including foresight tools and approaches, and other reflective learning practices.

Provide strategic guidance, leadership, technical support and implementation of Gov4Res empirical research

• In collaboration with technical experts, facilitate publication of research papers, reports, articles, blogs etc. as required in the subject matter and themes of Gov4Res research.
• Coordinate and support field research at the regional, national and sub-national levels as deemed appropriate and in support of project MEL.
• Maintain working relationships with academic institutions at national and regional levels and facilitate joint empirical research including longitudinal studies and MEL related outcomes.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Gov4Res research base, connecting research themes to policy and other requests for support from regional and national partners.
• Attend internal and external meetings and events as required, undertake presentations, prepare for and facilitate interactive sessions to discuss research outcomes and applicability to future programming.
• Undertake training and capacity-building sessions focused on building research and professional skills as required with UNDP personnel and external partners.

Ensure a culture of cross learning, capacity building and upskilling across Gov4Res, embedding a learning approach into all work across the project

• Establish a culture of cross learning and reflective learning practice across the Gov4Res team.
• Facilitate connections with appropriate partners, to enhance Gov4Res programming and sustainability of initiatives.

Provide strategic guidance and oversight to overall Gov4Res monitoring and evaluation

• Provide oversight of technical planning, budgeting and implementation of all monitoring and evaluation aspects of programming.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the project management and staff to ensure that the projects’ monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are designed and implemented according to UNDP Fiji MCO standard operating procedures, UNDP programme and project management guidelines, and donors’ requirements.
• Ensure quality and timely preparation of monitoring and evaluation reporting (quarterly, bi-annually, annually and final, as required), Quantum and ad-hoc updates as requested.

Ensures effective oversight, coordination, guidance, technical assistance and implementation of GEDSI initiatives in collaboration with the GEDSI specialist(s)

• Support GEDSI mainstreaming throughout the project life cycle, including design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ensure coordination and partnership with national, regional and international GEDSI mechanisms, women-led organizations, academies, networks, and associated forums.
• Build capacity of partners on UNDP’s policy on zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Contribute to the country office communication, and knowledge management system on GEDSI.

Ensure effective project management of MERL, Communications and GESDI personnel and related workplans

• Under the guidance of the Project Manager, provision of leadership and supervision to MERL, Communications and GEDSI personnel on a day – to – day basis.
• Support and provide technical input into the design and development of related workplans, monitoring plans and procurement plans as required together with updates to all plans as necessary.
• Coordinate the mobilization of goods and services to initiate MERL, Communications and GEDSI activities including procurement, drafting TORs and work specifications.
• Provide overall direction, coordination and leadership to the MERL, Communications and GEDSI personnel in close consultation with the Project Manager.

Oversee, manage, provide advice and support as required to Gov4Res and Pacific Office team

• As required, provide strategic advice to the Gov4Res team more broadly.
• Backstops for the project management in their absence.

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