Under the general guidance of the Giga Procurement Section Programme Manager and with matrix reporting to UNICEF Supply Division’s Service Contracting Center Chief, the Market Development Manager will be responsible for:
Strategic Leadership and Management:
Lead a team of professionals to develop the market intelligence that will help to implement the school connectivity procurement strategy, including a Market Researcher, an African-based market development consultant, and a Data Scientist.
Develop a strategy and associated work plan to increase industry participation and create government demand for Giga and UNICEF’s procurement tools and services.
Monitor team performance, provide guidance, and evaluate achievements.
Building demand for Giga’s procurement tools:
Engage with governments to promote Giga’s procurement work and understand any obstacles they face to adopt Giga’s tools.
Work with Giga’s Procurement Section team to adapt its approach considering governments evolving needs, new market trends, and changing ecosystem landscape.
Build collaboration frameworks with global and regional multilateral organizations to generate synergies drive a common agenda in promoting more investment in and scaling procurement of school connectivity solutions.
Technology and industry engagement:
Lead the team’s efforts in staying abreast with connectivity technology developments, ensuring that UNICEF’s supply offer stays relevant and embraces fore-front technologies that align with Giga’s scale-up agenda.
Keep an open dialogue with the industry to unearth supply side challenges and opportunities for the implementation of Giga’s procurement tools, and work with the Procurement Section team to make the necessary adaptations in their approach.
Explore and evaluate innovative approaches for Giga’s procurement offer that have a strong potential for impact and scale.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
Work with internal and external stakeholders to advance Giga’s procurement and scale up strategies, supporting the delivery work led by the Contract Manager.
Engage with partners and financiers to support the development and implementation of a market acceleration plan to scale the provision of connectivity solutions for schools.
Represent Giga and UNICEF in discussions with key partners and events to advance Giga’s procurement work and agenda.
Market Analysis and Innovation:
Lead a market research agenda to inform procurement strategies and identify opportunities for innovation.
Lead the development of quantitative models that support qualitative market research to inform action and estimate impact of Giga’s procurement work.
Support the development of financing structures and mechanisms to improve market dynamics and reduce costs.
Promote the commoditization of the Gigabyte for school connectivity to achieve cost efficiencies.
Exploring and analyzing opportunities to deploy Giga’s connectivity procurement tools beyond schools, for instance in health facilities or community centers.
Reporting:
Prepare detailed reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting achievements in creating a more enabling environment for the implementation of Giga’s procurement value proposition.
Prepare reports, briefing notes, or other supporting documents presenting the results of custom analysis conducted by the team.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) or MBA with a focus on Market Strategy, Telecommunications, Economics, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field.
Work Experience:
A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the telecommunications sector, preferably with a focus on connectivity solutions.
Previous experience working in digital inclusion and internet connectivity services in developing (or LMIC/MIC) countries, preferably in Africa, will be considered a strong asset.
Demonstrated experience in the public or private sector, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and stakeholder mapping of the connectivity sector is an asset.
Demonstrable experience in market analysis and modelling, competitive intelligence, and forecasting in the connectivity sector is an asset. Published research work on these topics is a strong asset.
Prior experience working with governments, technology providers, and non-profit organizations in the connectivity sector is an asset.
Skills:
Proven experience in strategic planning, the ability to foster effective industry relationships, engaging in productive dialogue to influence key industry trends.
The ideal candidate will have a history of collaborative work with industry associations, regulatory bodies, and key market influencers to shape the connectivity solutions landscape.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
