Job Identification : 13270
Locations : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Posting Date : 08/27/2023, 09:00 AM
Apply Before : 09/10/2023, 12:30 PM
Job Schedule : Full time
Agency : UNDP
Grade : NPSA-10
Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area : Innovation
Bureau : Regional Bureau for Arab States
Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience
Other Criteria : PhD with 3 years of experience
Required Languages : Arabic and English
Vacancy Timeline
2 Weeks
Job Description
Background
- The Innovations Centre Consultant will directly report to GASGI President’s Assistant for Geospatial Knowledge.
- GASGI Innovation Centre is an operational center of the GASGI, supporting the successful implementation of its own or partners projects in the field of Geospatial around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mandated as a central resource of the GASGI. The Centre provides sustainable geospatial Innovation, strategies, project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, the Private Sector, Academia and International Organizations such as the United Nations geospatial organizations.
- The Innovations Centre Consultant will be responsible for assessment, formulation and execution of strategy for the development of geospatial capability building for the Innovations Centre. The responsibilities include analysis of required skills, and education training in general education, university and professional levels in alignment with relevant stakeholders. Oversee operations of various functional areas in geospatial, including awareness, training and education departments.
- Background Information: By joining GASGI, you will have the opportunity to enhance the impact of a transformation project that is currently developing, focused on creating new innovative solutions to help GASGI achieve the strategies based on Vision 2030.
- GASGI plans to start a global system of innovation Centre. This position will be located in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and function under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the President of GASGI, and in close coordination with the stakeholders, the Innovation Centre Consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing the geospatial Innovation and strategies for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Duties and Responsibilities
Knowledge management and innovation
- Determine the most appropriate route for commercialisation and progress the development of innovative geospatial products and services
- Identify investment opportunities for innovation and development of geospatial technology or data applications and decision-making tools bringing knowledge of what funders, partners and/or clients want and need.
- Contribute to technology innovation by managing selected projects in geospatial or by participating in geospatial research and development team.
- Track geospatial tools and technology development, scanning for new applications and data integration and analysis opportunities that reflect the state of the field.
- Stay abreast of what other Geospatial providers and related providers can offer, seeking opportunities to integrate these offerings into GASGI’s portfolio. Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain GASGI’s effectiveness as a provider of geospatial project services for sustainable results.
- Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practices and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in the geospatial project and partnership development.
- Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among team members
- Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
- Provide regular feedback on existing geospatial systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance to day-to-day operations.
Develop opportunities
- Develop Innovation and International geospatial strategies which can easily be translated into implementation plans.
- Develop innovative geospatial solutions for different market segments.
- Identify, lead and manage innovative approaches to business challenges and work with teams across the Geospatial Society to deliver member and customer-centric products and services that generate revenue, which can be reinvested in activities that support the GASGI’s Vision.
- Research events, publications and announcements to track and screen opportunities for possible GASGI interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
- Provide advice and feedback to GASGI HQ on developing framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities.
- Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new geospatial projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
- Create and maintain one GASGI opportunities and engagement functionality in alignment with GASGI guidelines.
- Coordinate technical geospatial, and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
- Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
- Contribute to the diversification of the Innovation Centre in line with GASGI’s strategic objectives.
Partnership and programme development planning:
- Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan aligned with GASGI’s Strategic Plan and National Strategies. This includes the identification of main partners, strategic positioning of GASGI in the potential niches identified, as well as growing a pipeline of opportunities. Ensure the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
- Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Innovation Centre and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
- Coordinate and collaborate with relevant GASGI departments at , to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.
Representation and inter-agency partnership
- Establish and further develop partnerships with UN geospatial agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify project opportunities.
- Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer when required.
- On behalf of the GASGI, participate in and report on the relevant donor and government coordination meetings, including addressing geospatial project development issues in consultation with technical experts when required. Take part in common planning and programming processes, including strategic analysis.
- Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.
Institutional Arrangement
The Innovations Centre Consultant will directly report to GASGI President’s Assistant to Geospatial Knowledge.
Competencies
Personal responsibility
- Executive level leadership
- Managing and developing people
- Managing budgets and resources
- Managing the organisation
- Achieving results/delivering performance
- Problem-solving
Core
- Develops and implements sustainable business strategies and thinks long term and externally to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
- Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
- Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Core
- Achieve Results:
- LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively:
- LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously:
- LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility:
- LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination:
- LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate tasks/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner:
- LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
- LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
People Management competencies
- Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
- Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
- Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Cross-functional & Technical competencies
- Show Managerial Courage
- Face up to organizational and people problems
- Not be afraid to take decisions and action when and as needed
- Not hold back anything that needs to be said respectfully and diplomatically
- Address conflict in a timely manner, not allow conflicts in teams to linger
- Help others through emotional or tense situations, tactfully bringing disagreements into the open and finding solutions all can endorse
- Demonstrate Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
- Genuinely care about people; demonstrate empathy with the joys and pains of others
- Enable the well-being of the team(s)
- Read a group’s emotional currents and power relationships, identifying influencers, networks, and organizational dynamics; adapt leadership styles at the appropriate times
- See the positive in people, situations, and events
- Motivate and Direct
- Create and communicate a compelling vision and purpose
- Align people and resources with organizational vision, strategy, objectives
- Understand and proactively builds the team/organization culture.
- Build an Enabling Workplace
- Create a working environment where people are engaged and want to do their best; empower and enables team members to perform and have a positive workplace experience.
- Promote honesty, openness, trust and psychological safety and create opportunities to innovate and learn.
- Recruit and promotes individuals based upon objective measures and meritocracy; acknowledge and utilise the talent of others Encourage collective action and integration.
- Build Capability
- Identify and develop talent in individuals, providing positive support to enable them to achieve their potential.
- Foster learning or development of others by giving feedback, guidance, and support; support career development of others.
- Have willingness and ability to delegate to help people learn, including from failure.
- Manage Performance and Ensure Accountability
- Ensure regular conversations with people about work.
- Provide positive and constructive feedback.
- Discuss poor performance in a timely manner.
- Provide praise and recognition, as well as ensure accountability.
- Lead with Humility
- Be authentic and transparent, act with integrity.
- Be accessible and available to team members they lead.
- Encourages debate and discussion, creating a culture where people are comfortable to challenge senior leaders and feel listened too.
- Be modest, giving credit for success to others and admit your own shortcomings.
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements
- Master’s degree in organizational Learning Knowledge Management or other innovation related degree. PhD is preferable.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- Master’s degree with 5 years of experience. Or PhD with 3 years of experience
Required skills
- Research & analysis
- Leadership, strategic & and change management, project management, and stakeholder management.
- Coaching & mentoring, Public speaking
- Leading for Results, Executive Education
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Possessing factual and theoretical knowledge
- Finding and accessing information
- Ability to apply information
- Communication skills
- Motivation
- Intellectual capabilities.
Required Language(s)
Arabic – English
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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- languages are requiered
Professional Certificates If required for specific services.
- For example: PMP, ACCA, CIPS, CISCO, etc.