Market Development Specialist

Overview

The Market Development Specialist will support UNICEF Supply Division and UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion team to implement a market acceleration strategy for connectivity solutions for schools and health facilities. This role will help develop demand for UNICEF Digital Inclusion’s tools to scale government contracting of connectivity.

Tasks Summary

• Build demand for Giga’s procurement and UNICEF Digital Inclusion tools by engaging with governments and adapting approaches based on evolving needs and market trends.
• Collaborate with global and regional multilateral organizations to promote investment in and scaling of school connectivity solutions.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to advance UNICEF’s procurement and scale-up strategies, establishing partnerships for a market acceleration plan.
• Participate in discussions with key partners and attend events to advance UNICEF’s procurement work.
• Collect, collate, and analyse market intelligence on connectivity solutions markets to assess suitability for UNICEF’s procurement tools.
• Generate insights on drivers and barriers for scaling school and health center connectivity.
• Contribute to and advise on market acceleration interventions for the connectivity solutions market.
• Generate content to position Giga and UNICEF as key stakeholders in the connectivity ecosystem.
• Conduct research to position Giga and UNICEF as subject matter experts in connectivity solutions procurement.
• Help disseminate content in key forums, events, workshops, and country missions.
• Promote the commoditization of the Gigabyte for school connectivity.
• Explore and analyze opportunities to deploy UNICEF’s connectivity procurement tools beyond schools.
• Stay abreast of technology developments in the school connectivity space and maintain dialogue with the industry.
• Explore and evaluate innovative approaches for Giga and UNICEF’s procurement offer.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for senior management on achievements in creating an enabling environment for Giga’s procurement value proposition.
• Prepare reports, briefing notes, or other supporting documents to track progress of activities and results.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive work experience in digital inclusion topics or International Development and relevant/similar fields of work.
• Demonstrated experience in the public or private sector, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and stakeholder mapping and engagement.
• Proven experience fostering effective relationships with government stakeholders.
• History of building partnerships and securing commitments with government bodies such as Ministries of Education or ICTs.
• Demonstrated experience in communicating complex concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, through written deliverables and presentations.
• Desired: Previous experience working in Digital inclusion and Internet Connectivity in developing (or LMIC/MIC) countries, preferably in Africa.
• Desired: Demonstrable experience generating advocacy content and designing advocacy campaigns.
• Desired: Prior experience working with governments, technology providers, and non-profit organizations in the connectivity sector.

Qualification Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Engineering, International Development, Public Policy or other relevant fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
• OR Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience.

Other Details

Languages Required: • English Fluent

Languages Preferred: • Arabic Fluent • Chinese, Mandarin Fluent • French Fluent • Spanish Fluent • Russian Fluent

Contract Duration: Until 31 December, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and continued business needs.

Work Modality:

Remuneration: