Senior Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem and Portfolio Development

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to strengthen Geneva's position as a global hub for organisations working on digital infrastructure, networks and access. The role leads the development of a technical programme that coordinates, quality assures and supports foundations and partner organisations to establish, grow and operate within Geneva's international ecosystem, aligned with UNICEF's digital inclusion priorities. It reports to the Deputy, Digital Inclusion, and works closely with the Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem Building and Governance.

Key responsibilities

• Develop the Geneva ecosystem strategy and a portfolio thesis defining priority capability areas, gaps and complementarities.
• Identify, map and cultivate prospective partners and build a structured pipeline of organisations, then assess their strategic relevance, technical fit and public-good orientation.
• Design a transparent qualification and selection process for "Gazelles" within UNICEF governance, legal, fiduciary and safeguarding requirements, and prepare assessment materials for decision-makers.
• Shape tailored catalytic support packages (advice, networks, mentoring, workspace, convening, and where approved, milestone-based funding) that reinforce organisational independence and sustainability.
• Act as overall programme lead, building senior relationships with philanthropic, public-sector, multilateral, technology, academic and civil-society partners, and developing resource-mobilisation opportunities for the ecosystem and the Gazelles Catalytic Fund.
• Provide technical and strategic quality assurance, representing the ecosystem credibly in high-level forums while keeping participating organisations' independence intact.
• Set up programme oversight, learning and reporting, including portfolio reviews, progress tracking and quarterly reporting.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in international development, public policy, international relations, business administration, management, innovation, technology policy, economics, social sciences or a related field, with 7 years of relevant experience (9 years with a first degree).
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience building and scaling multi-stakeholder initiatives, partnership platforms, accelerators or catalytic funds in international development, technology policy, philanthropy or venture building.
• Proven track record of identifying, evaluating and securing strategic relationships and mobilising resources from public, private, philanthropic and technology-sector partners.
• Desired: experience establishing or supporting an accelerator, incubator, venture fund, innovation fund or similar catalytic-support mechanism.
• Desired: experience with small mission-driven organisations, start-ups, foundations, open-source communities or digital public-good organisations, and familiarity with the Geneva ecosystem and low- and middle-income country contexts.

Required skills

• Technical knowledge of digital public infrastructure, digital public goods, internet connectivity, child online safety or responsible technology in development contexts.
• Ability to engage with senior leaders across governments, UN/multilateral entities and industry, navigating complex governance, reputational risks, safeguarding and conflict-of-interest issues.