National Consultant Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Accra, Ghana (office-based) 4 months REQ#594830

Contract Duration: 4 months

Working arrangement: Office Based

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Terms of Reference

The scope of the consultancy is to ensure the effective coordination, continuity, and strategic transition of the UNICEF Startup Lab while strengthening UNICEF Ghana’s contribution to youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital public goods. The consultant will support implementation of the ongoing programme under the KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana initiative, facilitate partnerships across the entrepreneurship and technology ecosystem. The role will also support the institutional transition of the Startup Lab into the University of Ghana under the Ghana-Korea Impact Centre of Excellence, ensuring sustainability of the programme through effective handover, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, impact measurement, and end-of-project reporting.

Within the framework of UNICEF’s innovation and entrepreneurship agenda, the Consultant will support the implementation and transition of the UNICEF Startup Lab Programme in Ghana.

The scope of work will include the following key tasks:

1. Programme Coordination & Strategic Oversight

2. Startup Lab Implementation

3. Transition & Institutionalization (GK Impact Centre / University of Ghana)

4. Partnerships and Donor Reporting

5. Monitoring, Learning & Impact Measurement

6. Timelines

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToR_ext_TMC0004557.pdf

QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES (CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL) / LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

Education:

• A Bachelor`s university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Public Administration, Computer Sciences or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience is required

• Advanced knowledge of entrepreneurship ecosystems, innovation management, and startup acceleration in emerging markets

• Strong understanding of youth entrepreneurship, digital skills development, and social impact innovation

• Proven experience working with innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, or university-based programmes

• Previous professional experience working with UNICEF and/or other United Nations agencies, international development organizations, or donor-funded programmes is highly desirable and will be considered an asset.

• Demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder coordination (government, academia, private sector, donors, startups)

• Experience in programme transition, institutionalisation, and sustainability planning, preferably with academic institutions

• Ability to produce high-quality reports, knowledge products, and strategic documentation

• Strong project management and coordination skills with ability to manage multiple workstreams

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Innovation, Programme Design and Implementation

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language will be an advantage

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)

• Cover letter

• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) financial proposal template - TMC0004557.xlsx

Remarks:

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found