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The complexity and interconnectedness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require novel approaches, methodologies, strong data systems, and institutions that would have the capacity to provide ‘out of the box’ solutions to the problems faced by the global, country and community levels.

In response, the United Nations and the Government of Armenia have established the Armenia National SDG Innovation Lab as a platform for collaboration, experimentation, analytics and world class human resource development to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 2030, hosted by UNDP. The Lab is the first of its kind  platform to support SDG implementation at country level. To do this, the Lab has adopted a toolbox of innovative methodologies such as behavioral experimentation, data analytics, impact investment and capacity building in the Lab’s most advanced public policy techniques.

After the completion of its start-up phase (Phase I, Nov 2017 – Feb 2018), which involved initial set up, recruitment of core staff, resource mobilization, the Lab has entered into Phase II with several projects already accomplished and many more in the pipeline.

The SDG Innovation Lab has become a key driver of innovation in the public sector and a go-to partner for the Government of Armenia for its heuristic, multidisciplinary, and unorthodox methods, and approaches to policy, service and institution design. The Lab currently aims at mainstreaming citizen-centric and evidence-based decision-making which is a key contributing factor to effectiveness in the public sector.

The Lab mainstreams data science, digital transformation, design and systems thinking, institutional transformation and behavioral change in the domains of social protection, employment, road safety, law enforcement, tourism, healthcare, public administration and migration. The Lab dedicates special attention to the Social Protection System transformation in Armenia with special attention to agility and adaptability as well as integrated, human-centered and shock-responsive social protection policies and services that build a person’s resilience to vulnerability, deprivation and crises across the lifecycle.

Under the direct supervision of the Innovation, Acceleration and SDG Finance Programme Analyst, in close cooperation with the UNDP Programme and Operations Units, regional/local authorities, and the respective institutions, the SDG Innovation Lab Manager will be responsible for leading the SDG Innovation Lab, as well as promoting innovation in the public sector including resource mobilization, enhancing strategic partnerships, overseeing planning and implementation, financial delivery of all projects as well as recruitment of the experts/consultants, procurement of goods and services, and reporting.

In particular the incumbent will be responsible to guide and lead the team of the “Building a Resilient Social Protection in Armenia” project and oversee the integration of innovative approaches and methods in the initiatives of the project. The work will be carried out in full compliance with UNDP Rules and Regulations.

• Catalyzing the mainstreaming of innovative, evidence-based and citizen centric decision-making practices in the public sector through ecosystem approach;
• Leading and coordinating the projects and activities being implemented in the framework of the SDG Innovation Lab:
  • Building a Resilient Social Protection in Armenia project. (est. 40 % of engagement)
  • Barrier analysis and behavioral intervention to increase vaccination uptake
  • Democratic Institutions and Innovative and Participatory Policymaking in Armenia
  • Digitalization of services for the refugees
  • Other emerging projects
• Ensuring timely implementation of all SDG Lab projects to the full satisfaction of the major stakeholders; monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/ revisions as necessary;
• Safeguarding, monitoring and facilitating quality assurance of projects;
• Contributing to office resource mobilization efforts, scanning horizon, and analyzing and maintaining information and databases on donors with specific focus on public administration, social protection and employment;
• Supervising the SDG Innovation Lab team (staff and consultants) and creating an inspiring environment dwelling on the team strengths and identifying and improving the weaknesses;
• Creating effective communication channels and facilitating synergies between different service lines and projects, partners and stakeholders of the Lab to enhance the role of the Lab as an open and participatory platform for SDG implementation and acceleration in Armenia;
• Liaising with the Government, regional and local authorities, NGOs, international partners and organizations to ensure participatory/platform approach for the development and implementation of the Lab activities;
• Conceptualizing and institutionalizing the application of innovative approaches in public policy making, public service delivery and institutional development;
• Streamlining public sector innovation agenda in the Public Administration Reform in close cooperation with the Government at central and local levels as well as with wide array of stakeholders based on citizen-centric approach;
• Ensuring the Lab’s engagement in the Digitalization Agenda promoting SDG mainstreaming as well as citizen-centric and human rights-based approaches in the overall National Development Agenda;
• Leading the Lab’s efforts in supporting the positioning of the UNDP Armenia CO as a key player in the area of social protection and employment, particularly social protection system strengthening, social housing, social servie provision, disability, digital and data capacity enhancement.
• Developing critical partnerships and networks for the specific thematic areas; participating in the activities of intergovernmental or other coordinating bodies.
• Submitting reports to the donors, implementing and responsible partners, and funding organizations, including internal UNDP reporting, on the financial and operational status of the portfolio of projects implemented by the Lab.
• Contributing to the preparation of the office collective products, including policy papers, corporate planning and reporting tools, resource mobilization and advocacy materials, innovative and creative initiatives, blogs, interviews, etc.
• Providing knowledge-driven policy advice and services to the Government, within the SDG Innovation Lab scope, in the related practice areas.
• Acting as assets custodian of all projects implemented by the Lab and ensuring that the project assets are properly inventoried and reported to UNDP.
• Performing other duties as required by SDG Innovation Lab, UNDP and the government, within the SDG Innovation Lab scope.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of  the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The SDG Innovation Lab Manager will work under the direct supervision of the of the Innovation, Acceleration and SDG finance Programme Analyst and overall guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People  Management Competencies:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Project Management:
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• System Thinking:
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
• Financial planning and budgeting:
  • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysig and reporting
• Relationship Management:
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relatinons, trust and mutual understanding
• SDG Finance:
  • Social impact investments
• Integration within the UN:
  • Ability to identify and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge Generation:
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need