ROLE PURPOSE: 

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in around 100 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights we help them fulfil their potential. We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

The Innovation Coordinator represents a crucial aspect of Save the Children’s theory of change. At the present time in Sudan, with a complex context, ever more demanding requirements and reduced funding, innovation and thinking differently are at the heart of our conversation to deliver the best programs we can for children. 

He/she/They will coordinate efforts to uplift innovation programming in Save the Children. The role will feed into country office strategy & planning ensuring innovations are prioritized during project design and delivery, participate in proposal development & lead on documentation, reporting and dissemination of progress in innovations. The role holder will work closely with the Evidence & Learning unit to measure what works and be supported by the Program Development unit to deliver growth and for the innovation portfolio. The innovation coordinator will give training for staff implementing in operations to explore ideas, test new approaches or adopt innovations from others. They will lead in building partnerships and networks with relevant partners, start-ups and learning institutions to build or enhance innovations capacity, capability and knowledge.

This position will demand a highly motivated, creative thinker. Someone who can solve challenges, communicate effectively and engage people in innovation in ways that don’t feel like work but bring positivity and hope towards brighter futures. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Co-Design and Innovation Initiatives 

• Lead on the development and oversee the roll-out of an organisational Innovations roadmap 
• Establish forums and networks of people passionate about community-led solutions, inside the organisation and outside 
• Create spaces where co-design can occur, uplifting the voices and ideas of those who are closest to the problem space 
• Lead the development of workshops, consultations or co-production efforts 
• Develop strategic and operational plans for innovations 
• Promote an innovative organisational culture which prioritises learning, accepts failure as part of a journey
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and provide support 
• Drive the implementation of the innovation roadmap by: Supporting Technical Specialists to prioritise, explore programmatic and digital innovations in each thematic area
• Work across projects to garner inputs and support for innovation 
• Identify and develop existing proven innovations and digital solutions, products and services for consumption/adoption
• Facilitate sharing of knowledge and learnings of how innovations and digital solutions are being used in programs
• Continuously monitor on-going innovations and digital initiatives within and outside the organisation and champion best practices in implementing innovations and digital solutions
• Promote initiatives that promote a culture of innovation and creativity across the office.

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Actively participate in the development and review of country strategy and thematic programme plans.  Specifically lead on innovations strategies in collaboration with other technical sectors. 
• Analyse donor priorities and positions on issues related to innovations, identifying funding opportunities 
• Ensure all concept notes and proposals have robust learning agenda, have integrated innovations and are designed to achieve impact.
• Ensure that programme strategy supports and demonstrates good practice in participation, inclusion, child safeguarding and gender mainstreaming.
• Using a child rights programming lens, ensure that our programming is built around the Theory of Change and aligns with Global Initiative strategic directions.

Programme Quality

• Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on overall technical aspects of Save the Children’s innovation programming in Sudan.
• Liaise with the Programme Operations department to ensure all programme staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with staff and project managers agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required from you to facilitate learning and high quality, innovative and impactful programming and ensure it is delivered in a timely fashion. 
• The position will be required to travel 30-40% of the time to Save the Children program locations
• Assist in the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve innovations.
• Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, lead the recruitment and subsequent management of contracted consultants.
• Provide input on partner selection and coach partners in programming principles.
• Analyse and provide feedback on programme implementation to ensure gender equity and adequate child participation.

Communications and External Representation

• Provide internal communications support across projects showcasing innovations and impact successes, lessons learnt and efforts 
• Monitor and disseminate external trends on innovation – reports/conferences/funding opportunities and key insights 
• Provide support for the development/updating of donor materials related to innovations 
• Support knowledge sharing across by capturing and sharing best practices, success stories and lessons learned
• Write communications materials for diverse and relevant audiences
• Represent Save the Children in any relevant external networks with partners, donors and government 
• Maintain a continuous mapping of potential CSO partners to advance our work
• Work with relevant government institutions 

Other

• Participate actively in PDQI team meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings 
• Participate in any donor meetings or visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.   

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Essential

• Self-starter, motivated, creative and collaborative
• Exposure to either NGO efforts/child or youth-centred work/start-ups 
• Demonstrated experience in implementing innovations, or trying new ideas in previous roles 
• Open to collaborate without judgement, listen, give things a try and share power
• Demonstrated experience supporting people to develop, leading workshops or trainings 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially working with multicultural teams.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Demonstrated experience collaborating, bringing partners and communities together 
• Experience in building personal networks, resulting new opportunities for the organisation.
• Commitment to the Save the Children values and willingness to abide by Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both verbal and written, required. 

DESIRABLE:

• Former training in human-centred design 
• Demonstrated experience of project design and proposal development. 
• Technical expertise in Innovations, Technology4Development
• Monitoring and evaluation knowledge and experience 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values; 
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved; 

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same; 
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale;

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters; 
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength; 
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; 

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions;
• willing to take disciplined risks;

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity