Innovation Officer

We have an excellent opportunity for an Innovation Officer in our Strategy, Portfolio, Partnerships and Digital (SPPD) Division.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and Innovation, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing programmes, projects and partnerships as part of the Commonwealth’s innovation and digital transformation agenda. You will undertake research to collate, write and publish cutting edge policy guidance as well as visually compelling and insightful data analysis. The role will deliver technical assistance and provide policy guidance to Commonwealth countries on innovation and digital transformation. 

The successful candidate will identify, initiate, implement and facilitate innovative projects; promote a culture of innovation by identifying, incubating and implementing innovative solutions; support the delivery of innovation and digital transformation initiatives and technical assistance projects; engage with member governments and partner organisations; manage the Commonwealth’s Innovation Hub; track and analyse developments related to public innovation, digital governance, innovation ecosystems, digital transformation trends and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals in the Commonwealth and beyond; and manage and develop the Commonwealth Innovation Awards.

To be considered, you must hold a post-graduate degree in Economics, Statistics, Public/Business Administration, Public Policy, International Relations, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Digital Governance, or a related field.

Candidates must also have at least five years’ of progressively relevant experience in the public or private sectors, consulting and/or academia, with some experience of working for or in partnership with an international development / inter-governmental / multilateral organisation.

You will also need demonstrable experience of working with complex socio-economic data; experience of researching, writing and publishing reports / policy guides / thought leadership on innovation and/or digital governance; experience in resource mobilization; experience of working on or supporting innovation in the public and or private sectors; familiarity with using relevant software such as WordPress, Tableau etc; relevant experience of managing internal and external stakeholder relationships; and significant experience in innovation-related initiatives and in developing and managing an international multi-disciplinary network of institutions and individuals

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.