Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 

Are you ready to put your digital knowledge and skills to work in solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges?

Emerging and future digital technologies are one of the most profound drivers of change globally. Recognizing that these technologies bring both opportunities to accelerate progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as presenting challenges to development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been undergoing an organization-wide digital transformation since 2019.  UNDP’s digital transformation seeks to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet. 

UNDP is the development arm of United Nations.  Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world.  Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues.  The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind.  These aims are supported by the transformation of our internal, operational systems and building an agile, digitally capable workforce.

Position Purpose:

To bring digital around the globe, the incumbent will be required to implement the Digital Strategy by building the required programmatic (planning and implementation of development projects to support government partners) and internal capacities at the country, regional and global level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Act as a strategic thought partner for the Chief Digital Officer

  • Provide strategic support to the Chief Digital Officer including being a general thought partner for strategic decision-making and implementation of UNDP’s Digital Strategy
  • Advise, manage, and provide substantive support for all of Chief Digital Officer’s missions and engagements with internal and external stakeholders 
  • Support the identification of gaps and opportunities for the development of new digital policies and programmes, and align them with overall team priorities and work plans

Shape strategic positioning of UNDP’s digital work 

  • Shape the strategic positioning and messaging of UNDP’s digital work to external audiences, particularly in the context of the Global Digital Compact/Summit of the Future processes
  • Prepare briefs and compelling presentations for Chief Digital Officer, Administrator and other senior members of UNDP 
  • Provide strategic support, advising on Chief Digital Officer and Administrator/Associate Administrator/BPPS Bureau Director’s external engagements, and coordinating with external partners on global conferences and eventsFacilitate cross-sector and multi-stakeholder collaborations at a global scale but with local impact

Lead overall planning, project management and change management for the implementation of the Digital Strategy

  • Lead design and continuous update of the Digital Strategy implementation plan, including leading regular reviews of the strategy through management workshops, consultations with key stakeholders, etc. 
  • Lead management of the implementation of the Digital Strategy across all CDO workstreams, creating visibility of ongoing and planned activities across the Chief Digital Office, and enabling the team to work effectively and efficiently.
  • Lead planning and coordination of the implementation of the new Digital Strategy with the Chief Digital Office and key stakeholders across the organization to ensure successful delivery and maximum impact
  • Devise, coordinate and implement key change management processes including communications and monitoring and tracking systems. 
  • Lead on Digital Strategy review process to be conducted by mid 2024
  • Draft, coordinate, and provide quality assurance for inputs for corporate reporting processes on the Strategic Plan in addition to reporting on the Digital Strategy
  • Act as key focal point on UNDP’s Digital Strategy for inter-agency requests for reporting on UNDP’s digital work
  • Support Operations colleagues in financial analysis and budget forecast for digital programming 

Lead process change and culture-building of CDO team.

  • As part of the digital team, work to create conditions for a culture of agility and innovation and strengthen this competency within UNDP.
  • Support the design, development and delivery of communications in support of change processes within the organisation.
  • Manage overall coordination across the entire CDO team, including liaising between the Chief Digital Officer and other team leaders to ensure coherent and coordinated approaches to digital transformation support. 
  • Design, organize, and facilitate regular team meetings, workshops, and trainings within the Chief Digital Office
  • Design and implement new ways of working and tools within the team such as OKRs, work planning, and communication to optimize the way the team works together.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Core - CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Achieve Results:

  • LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:

  • LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously

  • LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility 

  • LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination       

  • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

  • LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

  • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 
     
Cross-functional competencies

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking           

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and priority plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions

Digital & Innovation - Digital inclusion    

  • Knowledge of how digital inclusion works opportunities and challenges for governments and society

Digital & Innovation - Team design & management         

  • Set up and manage team rituals and rhythms that create a safe space for learning and reflection. Foster a positive culture around failure, encourage exploration, experimentation.

Business Management - Partnership management          

  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Digital & Innovation - Digital thought leadership              

  • Ongoing research into emerging technologies and digital trends and the applications, risks, and opportunities associated with digital adoption, combined with the ability to communicate this synthesis with a broad audience

Business Management - Communications            

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Business Direction & Strategy - Effective Decision Making

  • Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Social Science, Economics, Development Studies or a related area, or
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Social Science, Economics, Development Studies or a related area, with two additional years of relevant work experience.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years with master’s degree and 7 years with bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in the field of change management, management consulting and/or development Consulting, in international and multicultural institutions. 
  • Experience in undertaking development and implementation of corporate strategies 
  • Experience in change management and implementation of culture change activities to support an organization’s transformation.
  • Experience in fostering and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships that generate results 
  • Understanding of digital development issues and frontier technologies.
  • Knowledge of the UN System.

Language Requirement:

  • Proficiency in the English language, both oral and written is required.
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is preferable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 
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