Business innovation manager - VA 831464
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Over the past years the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to an unprecedented level of emergencies, while maintaining ongoing operations. This increased demand stretches the organization which means WFP has to find new approaches and ways of working to ensure we are channeling every available resource to the people we serve.
The Business Innovation Unit (BIU)/UN Advisory Alliance (UNAA) was established in 2015 to manage change and to promote innovation as part of WFP’s Innovation division:
- BIU/UNAA acts as the “management consulting arm” of WFP
- BIU/UNAA is composed of staff with top-tier management consulting backgrounds as well as UN experience
We execute projects on behalf of Executive Directors, Assistant Secretary Generals, and Directors across the UN system, and have become a trusted advisor to WFP and other entities (e.g. UN Women, UNFPA, UN Secretariat,..). Our focus is on end-to-end solutions, including problem assessment, data analysis, operational model design, change plan and implementation monitoring.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Execution of Business Innovation projects Overall BIU/UNAA priorities Other activities
DELIVERABLES:
Depending on time of joining, the candidate’s specific experience and current corporate priorities, the candidate will be responsible for the full delivery of a project work stream or a small project. Examples of specific deliverables are:
- WFP/UN System Senior Leadership Support
- Support senior leadership on prioritization of key organizational initiatives
- Guide cross-functional discussions to align on objectives, activities, timelines and outputs
- Guide analytical and project management support
- Act as an advisory to the initiative sponsor and driving implementation
- UN Reform/UN80: Guide UN Reform/UN80 implementation and be part of an inter-agency project team
- Support delivery of key interagency UN Reform initiatives (e.g., Business Operations Strategy, Common Back Office, Global Shared Services), engaging with entity and Secretariat stakeholders as required
- Perform key data analyses to drive high-priority UN80 work packages (e.g., UNCT reconfiguration, entity merger assessments, etc.)
- Contribute to the communication efforts on UN Reform/UN80
- Additional BIU/UNAA needs
- Support knowledge management reviews and best practices sharing
- Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries
- Additional project support based on pipeline and new projects contracted during time of contract, as required
Education:
Preference for a degree in business, economics or engineering
Experience:
About 7 years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in a business or international relations related position. At least 7 years experience in management consulting or innovative finance required. Additional work experience desirable.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Ability to contribute to developing new strategies and innovative projects
• Good analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative: ability to perform advanced analysis in excel and produce high-quality written materials, including powerpoint presentations as well as text documents;
• Experience with optimization processes (e.g. optimization of strategic planning, sourcing, logistics, finance processes, performance management, etc.)
• Collaborative spirit to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures, with credibility and diplomacy;
• Time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work on tight deadlines;
• Self-motivated and able to work with a certain degree of autonomy and/ or in team;
• Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme.
Languages:
In addition to a high proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of a second UN language is a plus.
Visa:
WFP supports Visa applications and the position is based in Rome, Italy.
