Digital Engagement Specialist - IPSA 11

New York City

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: New York City
Grade: Mid level - IPSA-11, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Design (digital, product, graphics or visual design)
Closing Date: Closed

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Effective collaboration and coordination across UNDP units and between headquarters, regional hubs, and country offices are essential for streamlining digital initiatives and ensuring a cohesive approach to digital transformation.

To improve internal communication and coordination, CDO is increasing support capacity within its office and will continue to work closely with Digital Advocates in Country Offices, Regional Centres and GPN teams. Regular digital strategy alignment sessions are being planned across UNDP units and regions to ensure a unified approach to digital initiatives, facilitating more efficient and effective digital transformation efforts. Incumbent will lead a key part of delivering on UNDP’s digital strategy and will work closely with teams across the headquarters, regional bureau and country offices levels of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead Engagements with the Global Policy Network and Country Offices:

Facilitate the creation of programmatic guidance notes on digital technology, ensuring they are seamlessly integrated into UNDP's diverse work areas.
Lead the coordination with the Global Policy Network, Regional Bureaus and UNDP Country Offices to ensure that digital support is integrated into their work.

Lead Community and Network Collaboration:

Contribute to the development of the Community of Practice Digital initiative in collaboration across different UNDP departments.
Develop and manage knowledge resources to support the program's alignment with the overall goals and principles of the programme.

Ensure Effective Monitoring and Risk Management:

Implement a comprehensive monitoring framework for Digital Strategy performance indicators and criteria for success.
Identify potential risks that could impede the successful implementation and coordinate strategies to mitigate these risks.

Lead Research, Policy Engagement, and Advocacy:

Design and conduct surveys, analyse the results, and identify issues to reach actionable conclusions.
Investigate and stay informed on regulations and policies concerning digital innovation to contribute to related policy discussions.

Facilitate Capacity Building and Outreach:

Perform regular evaluations, both informal and formal, to steer projects towards desired positive outcomes.
Provide briefing notes and talking points to senior management.
Organize and deliver training workshops and presentations on digital innovation.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

4. Institutional Arrangement

The position will report into Head of Internal Transformation within CDO. Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Direction & Strategy	Business Acumen	Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks
Digital and Innovation	Digital Ecosystem	Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital and Innovation	Digital Public Goods	Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
Business Direction and Strategy	Strategic thinking	Ability to develop efficient strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements	Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Arts, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field is required. Or A first-level university degree in the areas mentioned above, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in driving digital transformation projects in the private sector or public, nonprofit, or development setting is required.
Required skills	Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of digital technologies. Demonstrated experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to capture and synthesize information on an ongoing basis to produce analysis and recommendations. Demonstrated experience in excellent project management and execution skills to drive complex and ambiguous topics.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Experience in interacting with and steering stakeholders across sectors towards a common objective. Experience in providing technical assistance or implementing strategies in developing countries.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous.
Professional Certificates	NA

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

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.

Scam warning

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This vacancy is now closed.