Programme Associate (Innovation Project Manager) SC6 at World Food Programme (WFP)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Innovation, the Innovation Project Manager will manage projects in the innovation unit portfolio. The main tasks will be as follows:

• Manage innovation project lifecycles from start to end using agile project management methodologies.
• Apply lean start-up techniques to rapidly prototype early-stage solutions.
• Work with different stakeholders internal and external to implement innovative projects.
• Support project team to define, track and report on project milestones.
• Develop and manage project budgets.
• Develop and update communication plans for innovation projects.
• In collaboration with M&E, build monitoring and evaluation frameworks for innovation projects.
• In collaboration with the Innovation Community Manager, develop and disseminate information packages on the innovation projects.
• In collaboration with field office teams, oversee implementation of innovation projects in the field.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and other periodic reports as may be required to update Innovation team and CO team management on the progress of innovation projects.
• Prepare talking points and presentations for various innovation stakeholder meetings

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

• Passion and deep understanding of technology innovations (e.g., mobile apps, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning) and business model innovations (e.g., innovative finance, crowdsourcing).
• Sound understanding of Agile Project Management, HCD and Lean Start-up methodologies.
• Experience working on projects focused on youth, women, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Experience with business development in emerging markets and or social impact start-ups.
• Strong business writing and professional verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to multitask and prioritize. Microsoft Office Suite knowledge.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (LANGUAGE)

• Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of Kiswahili is of value.

DELIVERABLES

• Up-to-date project management dashboards, workplans, communication plans and budgets.
• Well-defined M&E framework for innovation projects.
• Lessons learned documented for each innovation project managed.
• Up-to-date innovation talking points and presentations for various audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education

• Completion of secondary education. University degree in related field or equivalent an added advantage.

Years of experience

•  At least 3 years of progressively responsible national or international experience in a start-up, innovations in private businesses or innovations in the humanitarian or international development sector. 2 years of experience working with startups/innovations in developing countries (WFP or external) preferred.

Competencies

• A self-starter. You are full of initiative and great ideas. You need little guidance, are comfortable working independently but are also a great team player.
• Ability to multitask. You like variety in your work and are willing to tackle different challenges when the opportunity arises.
• Able to generate new and original solutions to complex problems and to design new products ideas.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills, with the ability to write strategy documents, to develop business plans and to write and deliver presentations.
• An organizer with great attention to detail. You are a meticulous planner but are flexible enough to change course when the situation requires you to do so.
• Driven by impact. Achieving impact through your job is important to you, and you are passionate about working towards achieving zero hunger.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills: ability to bring others behind objectives and drive projects to meet targets despite competing priorities and additional challenges, planned or unplanned.
• Collaborative spirit, able to partner with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.