Programme Specialist

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Job Description

The UNICEF Venture Fund has been specifically designed to finance early stage, open-source technology that can benefit children. The core motivation of the Venture Fund is to identify “clusters” or portfolios of initiatives around emerging technology – so that UNICEF can shape markets, learn about and guide these technologies that can positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable children. We find these solutions clustered around $100 billion industries in frontier technology spaces, such as: UAVs, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, nanosatellites, and human dynamics. With $35M raised to date, the Venture Fund is scaling its investment portfolio with the aim of investing in 20 start-ups every year and also provides funding to CO-led projects.

Under the leadership of the Programme Funding Manager, the Programme Specialist (Portfolio Strategist) supports the Venture Fund investment portfolio companies (consisting of both seed-stage and follow-on investments), bringing strategic guidance and management to maximize the Fund’s return on investment by:

Developing and executing the overall portfolio management strategy, including necessary systems, partnerships, and technical assistance, for companies receiving funding

Maintaining portfolio management systems and processes, including regular tracking of milestones and companies’ performance through metrics, and applying data to guide portfolio management strategy.

Based on a robust needs assessment process, developing a technical assistance strategy for each portfolio company (with support from external partnerships, a network of mentors, engagement of technical leads) in seed and growth portfolios

Identifying and managing growth strategies for portfolio companies

Advising on sourcing and selection of companies, and leading on selection and contractual process of companies receiving bridge and acceleration funding

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Finance, Business Admin., Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and any other related fields. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

At Least 5 years of relevant work experience in Partnerships, Portfolio Management, Investment Strategy, Venture Capital, Growth Strategy, Startup Advisory, Innovation, Programme Funding, Frontier Technologies.

Language Requirements: