Global Technical Advisor Digital Innovations

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.   

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030. For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org  

We are currently looking for a: Global Technical Advisor (GTA) Digital Innovations

• Fulltime position 40 hours a week
• Dutch employment contract for 2 years
• Based in The Hague, Netherlands or from one of the countries we operate from
• Desired start-date: as soon as possible

Job Description

Are you interested in contributing to shaping and defining SNV’s digitalisation efforts across the agri-food, energy and water sectors? SNV is seeking a dynamic and pragmatic professional to take on the role of Global Technical Advisor (GTA) – Digital Innovation. 

In this role you will provide technical advice and strategic guidance in support of the development, inception and execution of projects with a pronounced digitalisation component. In this cross-functional role you will play a pivotal role across various domains, including digital finance, supply chain management, transparent decision making, municipal information systems and other data management systems. 

Key responsibilities 

In a rapidly evolving digitalisation landscape, the GTA Digital Innovation will take a lead in implementing SNV’s digitalisation approach and roadmap.  A primary focus area will be to accelerate the pace of adoption and utilisation of digitalisation products, methodologies, and tools in existing projects and new funding proposals.  Furthermore, the GTA will influence the organisation’s external positioning on digitalisation, foster strategic partnerships and substantially expand SNV’s digitalisation portfolio by pro-actively engaging in project design, business development and proposal writing.   

Strategy Implementation and Continuous Improvement  

• Drive the implementation of the SNV Digital Innovation Agenda and roadmap and develop digital business cases and blueprints for five digital innovation themes, aligned them with the 2030 strategy.

• Proactively engages with donors and tech partners, cultivating partnerships for the innovation agenda. 

• Identifies digital technology in the agrifood, energy, and water sectors taking into account existing trends and experiences. 

• Supports Global Sector Teams in executing the digitalisation roadmap enhancing SNV’s visibility and recognition with key donors, major private and public tech players, and non-profit organisations. 

Advisory Services, Quality Assurance and Project Cycle Management  

• Coaches and provides support to project managers and project teams and gives backstopping support through technical advice and capacity building for programme and project teams 

• Provides advice and support to foster SNV’s digital innovation culture, the use of data for adaptive management and continuous learning and steer the knowledge sharing and learning agenda in digitalisation across SNV, providing guidance to sector teams globally on theories and best practices in digitalisation.  

Business Development 

• Collaborates closely with Business Development, Global Sector and country colleagues to analyse donor trends and identify funding opportunities.  

• Leads project proposal design with focus on digitalisation and provide technical review of proposals that include a digitalisation component.  

• Develops a substantial project pipeline, ensuring a high project win rate to strengthen SNV’s digitalisation portfolio.   

Knowledge and Learning 

• Leads sector practice development, translating external trends into actionable internal improvements and innovations. 

• Coordinates internal and external knowledge development and innovation in digital technology, including drafting and reviewing publications. 

• Participates in internal and external knowledge development and innovation networks and maintains and updates the digitalisation knowledge agenda. 

• Ensures the suite of products, methodologies and tools for digitalisation efforts meet high-quality standards.  

• Develops “new” products, innovative methodologies or tools based on experiences and external developments in collaboration with Global Sector Teams and partners. 

Profiling and positioning  

• Develops, expands, and maintains effective strategic partnerships with relevant donors, private and public players, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders through networking and profiling.  

• Represents SNV at selected national and international events.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in information technology (IT), Data Management and Analytics, Data Science and Society, Applied Economics (and management) with additional IT-related subjects, or any other relevant field. 

• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of IT for development and social impact, and knowledge management. 

• Experience living and/or working in a developing country in Africa/Asia, preferably in the field of international development. 

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in French is highly desirable. 

Desired competencies  

• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change. Ability to be flexible and adaptable. 

• Ability to work independently and good at making connections with other teams. 

• Experience with business development in designing impactful projects and programmes, writing successful proposals, and managing donor relationships. 

• Experience in the private sector in the digital technology industry, particularly with applications in the development sector, would be an advantage.  

• Experience with bridging the digital divide and/or equity challenges in digitalisation are an advantage.  

• Proven experience in developing programme strategies and positioning in digitalisation, within an international cooperation context. Having an extensive (international) network and up-to-date knowledge about digitalisation for development. 

• Experience with knowledge management, learning and innovations in digitalisation for development. Ability to raise awareness, coach and provide training on digitalisation to technical and non-technical project and partner staff. 

• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation. Good communication and negotiation skills as well as intercultural sensitivity.

Additional Information

What we offer
At SNV we offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. This together with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and a Dutch employment contract for 2 years, fulltime. In this role there is a 30% travel required. 

For international employees we offer relocation support and there is a possibility to work from one of our country offices, once the candidate is already based there. 

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc. 

How to apply
Do you feel this is the right opportunity for you? Then we welcome you to apply by uploading your cv and a letter of motivation by 12th of January 2024. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be processed in the strictest confidence.  

Two interviews are part of the application process, should we wish to proceed with your application. The desired start date for this role is as soon as possible.

Reference check and vetting
We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

*We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.