UNICEF Innovation Internship 2026 | Remote-Friendly Opportunity for Early-Career Professionals

UNICEF is recruiting Innovation Consultants for a 6-month assignment in 2026. Open to early-career professionals with expertise in digital development, ICT4D, and innovation. International applicants (non-nationals of Ethiopia) may apply. Deadline: 8 December 2025.

Overview: UNICEF Innovation Internship 2026

UNICEF has announced a new Innovation Consultancy opportunity for 2026, open to international early-career professionals who want to contribute to digital transformation and innovation in humanitarian and development settings. This 6-month consultancy is primarily focused on supporting UNICEF Ethiopia’s Innovation Portfolio, strengthening digital solutions, and integrating technology across programmes in health, education, child protection, nutrition and emergency response.

The role is remote-friendly for non-Ethiopian nationals, with on-the-ground collaboration as needed. Early-career professionals with strong ICT4D, digital transformation or innovation backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About the Role

The Innovation Consultant will provide specialized technical leadership in identifying, designing, piloting and scaling innovative solutions across UNICEF Ethiopia’s programmes. The assignment supports strategic innovation planning, digital-enabled programming, data systems strengthening, and partnership development with government and external stakeholders.

The consultancy includes technical project oversight, problem-solving for digital solutions, and capacity building of UNICEF personnel and implementing partners.

Key Responsibilities

1. Innovation Portfolio Support

• Coordinate and manage UNICEF Ethiopia’s innovation initiatives
• Adapt and localize global digital solutions
• Co-chair the Innovation Governance Committee
• Provide oversight, risk management and troubleshooting
• Support design, piloting and sustainability planning for innovations

2. Digital Strategy and Policy Development

• Advise on implementation of innovation and digital transformation strategies
• Track milestones, KPIs and risk logs
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF’s digital principles and data protection standards

3. Data Technology and Architecture

• Recommend architectures, tools and platforms to strengthen data systems
• Improve data quality and integration using frontier methods
• Support donor advocacy with evidence-based investment cases

4. Partnerships and Networks

• Develop partnerships to co-create and scale digital solutions
• Represent UNICEF in inter-agency digital innovation forums
• Support skill transfer and capacity-building with national partners

5. Knowledge Management

• Maintain an updated inventory of innovation initiatives
• Share insights and programme results across regional and global networks

6. Capacity Building

• Strengthen staff capacity in data literacy and analytics
• Provide trainings on innovation methodologies
• Promote ethical use of emerging technologies

Eligibility Criteria

Education

• Master’s degree in:
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Digital Transformation
  • Computer Science
  • Innovation
  • ICT Management
  • Data Analytics
  • Business Analysis
  • or related technical field

Professional Experience

Minimum requirements include:

• At least 5 years of professional ICT4D or digital innovation experience
• Experience in a large international organization
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing digital tools at scale
• Background in project management, vendor coordination, procurement and budgeting
• Experience with mobile and web-based technologies
• Familiarity with UNICEF digital tools such as U-Report, RapidPro, real-time monitoring systems

Desirable Skills

• Experience in open-source platforms
• Familiarity with global public-good technologies: DHIS2, ODK, Primero, RapidPro
• Programming knowledge and version control (GitHub, Jenkins, etc.)
• Experience working in low-resource, humanitarian or fragile settings

Language

• Fluency in English is mandatory
• Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage

Benefits

• 6-month international consultancy with UNICEF
• Remote-friendly role for international candidates
• Involvement in high-impact innovation and digital transformation projects
• Opportunity to work with a leading UN agency and global innovation network
• Exposure to UNICEF’s regional and global digital development ecosystems
• Skill development through capacity-building, innovation governance, and digital strategy
• Experience in humanitarian innovation in a fast-evolving context

Note: Consultancy applicants must submit their daily fee rate.

How to Apply

1. Visit the UNICEF Careers portal.
2. Search for Job No. 588421 – Innovation Consultant, UNICEF Ethiopia.
3. Submit:
   • CV
   • Cover letter
   • Fee rate
   • Required documents (as per UNICEF guidelines)
4. Deadline: 8 December 2025 (E. Africa Standard Time).

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The UNICEF Innovation Internship/Consultancy 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career innovation professionals to contribute to technology-driven solutions in one of UNICEF’s largest country programmes. This role blends innovation strategy, digital systems strengthening, data governance, and capacity building—making it ideal for professionals seeking global development experience and a career in humanitarian digital transformation.

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