INCLUSIVE INNOVATION NETWORK

Inclusive Innovation Network “Lead” – Role Outline

This is a secondment / 2 year fixed-term contract. It is accountable to the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

It will be a “rotating leadership role” to ensure that we continue to challenge ourselves with fresh ideas and perspectives.

Grade : Level 7 

Hours – Full time. Alternative flexible working options available/open to discussion. 

Our definition of “Inclusive Innovation”:

“Doing something differently for improved outcomes, with a focus on social justice, resident-centred design and working in the open with all our communities.”

What is the Inclusive Innovation Network?

Camden’s Inclusive Innovation Network is our approach to supporting and scaling innovation across Camden. There is lots of this happening already, we want to showcase it, grow it and try new ways of working to help tackle our challenges. This will be the responsibility of the ‘Lead’ role and will include:

1.     Setting up multi-disciplinary teams consisting of people both internal and external to the council, working in a non-hierarchical way, empowered to make decisions.

2.     Developing and iterating methods to help bind this together and drawing on the “Camden Toolkit (the resources, skills and expertise both inside and outside the council)” as appropriate.

3.     Using cascade/network engagement and communications approaches to connect people, share learning, skills and behaviours.

4.     Iterating ways of working physically and digitally. Developing “pop-up” showcase/collaboration spaces. Providing the enabling environment and equipment to allow people to work together, show everyone what is going on and allow everyone the opportunity to get involved. The aim being to scale this to other locations, ideally in the community, so the “innovation space” is not permanently associated with a specific place. 

Role Summary:

A Collaborative Creator – Leads with and through others and not a “hero leader”. Draws from all views to serve the full range of needs. Steward of the “Network”, ensuring it flourishes sustainably without being dependent on specific individuals. Leaves their own value/stamp on the Network with an eye on the future for successful handover to the successor.

Attributes

Courageous

Speaking up and challenging the status quo, committed to diversity and inclusion, staying steadfast when helping drive “disruption”

Bias aware

Mindful of personal and organisational blind spots, open to candid feedback, self-reflective and ability to self-regulate to help ensure equity and fairness.

Curious

Open mindset, a desire to understand how others view and experience the world, and a significant tolerance for ambiguity.

Culturally intelligent

Sensitive and appreciative of cultural differences; confident and effective in cross-cultural interactions.

Collaborative

Proud of what we achieve and humble about their own strengths. Empowers individuals, breaks hierarchy and fosters and taps into the thinking of diverse groups.

Politically Astute

Abe to work in a political environment engaging effectively with Members to understand their priorities and to harness their input into the Network

Resident Focused and Committed to making a difference

Put residents at the heart of everything, relentless in the pursuit of positive outcomes, empathetic, and committed to making a real impact for residents, businesses and our communities. 

Requirements & Responsibilities

Future Designer

Holds and continuously develops a clear shared vision on the future of the borough and the council, integrating all perspectives, explaining it convincingly and inspiring others to work towards it.

Innovation Booster

Is a pioneer and positive disruptor; he or she promotes thinking outside the box, encourages taking risks and directs the development and implementation of valuable innovations.

Value Builder

Designs policies and services based on the user`s needs. Understands the specifics of the policy/strategy field and its relationships. Sees the system as a whole, analyses the impact of policies and services and utilises analysis results to create value.

Empowerer

A keeper of workplace happiness who creates an environment that ensures the engagement, well-being and development of employees. Values people, establishes trust, creates flexible organisation of work and a positive atmosphere, supports the development of employees and builds strong empowering relationships within and outside the organisation.

Self Leader

Understands his or her role as a leader and develops himself or herself continuously to ensure maximum realisation of potential.

Responsibilities 

• Overseeing, leading and carrying knowledge of the Network

• Point of escalation and decision making

• Championing participative and open approaches

• Establishing the tools, methods and approaches

• Overseeing skills and training both within the network and in collaboration with Learning & Development

• Creating the environment for success – (e.g. empowered non-hierarchical teams).

• Spotting new opportunities for positive disruption and catalysing action in the organisation

• Advocating and promoting ideas, innovations, successes and learning from failure

• Overseeing investment and resources

• Establishing partnerships and relationships across the borough