Principal Economist, Knowledge and Innovation will play a key role in delivering the organization’s innovation strategy through fostering a culture of innovation across departments. The selected candidate will act as a catalyst and advisor to promote innovative thinking, identify opportunities for process improvement, and design mechanisms that enable staff and management to co-create and pilot innovative Proof of Concepts and solutions aligned with the institution’s strategic objectives. The position requires close collaboration with departments, senior management, and external partners to ensure that innovation becomes an embedded, sustainable, and measurable part of the organization’s DNA.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive the implementation of the institution’s innovation strategy, ensuring alignment with core priorities and strategic vision.
- Support senior management and thematic teams in embedding innovation into policies, programs, and operations.
- Design, coordinate, and monitor innovation initiatives, pilots, and proof-of-concept projects across departments.
- Provide guidance on innovation methodologies such as design thinking, agile experimentation, and data-driven approaches.
- Develop and manage innovation toolkits, frameworks, and training materials to strengthen internal capabilities.
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and knowledge sharing to promote an innovation-driven culture.
- Identify and assess emerging technologies, processes, and partnerships to enhance efficiency and impact.
- Engage with external innovation ecosystems (international organizations, research centers, private sector) to benchmark and exchange best practices.
- Contribute to governance structures by monitoring KPIs and establishing reporting mechanisms for innovation performance and impact.
- Prepare analytical reports, presentations, and communication materials highlighting innovation outcomes, impact, and lessons learned.
- Engage country authorities and promote cross-country knowledge exchange and peer learning.
- Demonstrate strong strategic and analytical thinking, translating ideas into actionable plans.
- Exhibit excellent facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills across diverse technical and cultural contexts.
- Communicate effectively with strong written and verbal presentation skills.
- Apply creativity and problem-solving with sound judgment and practical decision-making.
- Manage multiple projects efficiently while meeting tight deadlines.
- Show adaptability, collaboration, and strong team spirit.
- Maintain proficiency in Arabic and English (required); knowledge of French is an added advantage.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in innovation strategy, organizational transformation, or related areas, preferably within international, governmental, or large institutional settings.
- Bachelor’s degree in innovation, change management, or a related field.
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in innovation management, public policy, business administration, technology management, or a related field.
- Certification in Design Thinking (or equivalent) from platforms such as Coursera, MIT, edX, IDEO, HPI, Udacity, or DataCamp.
- Certified Innovation Leader (Global Innovation Institute) or equivalent certification.
- Training or certification in Data Analytics or AI for Business.