Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

At UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), we are on a mission to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions around the world. UNDP is the United Nations' global sustainable development organization working across 170 countries with 17,000 staff. Digital technology is one of the most fundamental drivers of changes this century. Digital not only provides new opportunities and challenges for development, but it is also fundamentally changing the context in which development is taking place. Since the launch of its first Digital Strategy in 2019, UNDP has been on an ambitious transformation journey to harness the potential of digital technology for development. We are now in the next phase of our digital transformation, implementing the Digital Strategy 2022-2025, which puts forth a vision to create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet. This vision is enshrined in the Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub in BPPS, where Digital technologies, AI, and innovation hold tremendous promise for supporting and advancing development, where UNDP is leveraging these capacities to shape smarter development for a fast-changing world

Project Description

Our mission is to nurture a space where novel ideas emerge and thrive, with transformative solutions by Africa’s innovators and start-ups to build AI foundations—in areas of green compute, data and talent. Connecting everyone into an ecosystem where they can grow together and advance prosperity for all is at the AI Hub's core. As Enrico Mattei, the inspiration for the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan, redefined international partnerships in the 1950s, Italy is once again driving an ecosystem of equal partnerships through the AI Hub. The AI Hub is aligned with the African Union’s AI Strategy and is anchored by 14 partner countries in Africa (Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Tanzania and Tunisia), catalyzing transformation across six key sectors–energy, agriculture, health, water, education & training, and infrastructure. Artificial Intelligence is poised to be the most transformative technology of our era, and its benefits must be accessible to all. For Africa, where 60% of Africans are under 25, AI presents a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development growth, delivering innovative and impactful solutions in healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and governance.

Scope of Work 

The AI Hub Digital Analysts will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering AI Hub projects, focusing on the convergence of AI foundations for development and private sector growth within the AI Hub for Sustainable Development. This position involves co-designing innovative AI Hub programmes during their development and engagement phases, while leading tailored support to programmes. The Analysts working under the supervision of Programme Design & Delivery Specialist/s, collaborating closely with partners across the G7, African nations, and relevant authorities in 14 partner countries in Africa to amplify impact.

  1. Support Programme Knowledge, Insights & Strategy
    • Contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of the AI Hub’s knowledge and insights strategy across 6–12-month programming cycles.
    • Support generation of timely, action-oriented insights and knowledge products to inform and drive delivery of the Hub’s vision and objectives.
    • Assist in building processes, methodologies, and R&D approaches in collaboration with the AI Hub Head of Programme Design & Engagement, DAI Hub’s Digital Transformation Knowledge & Strategy team, and communications colleagues.
    • Support Italy, G7 countries, and African government partners in identifying and catalysing new partnerships and exponential partner actions.
    • Track narrative trends, emerging tools, and stakeholder dynamics to help position UNDP and the AI Hub at the forefront of responsible AI and digital development.
  2. Support Flagship Programme Delivery, Partnerships & Scale
    • Assist in developing and executing outcome-oriented campaigns and partnership strategies for flagship programmes (Compute & Talent Accelerator and Infrastructure Builders).
    • Support setting clear objectives, stakeholder mapping, sourcing and implementation processes for new AI ideas, workstream tracking, and ongoing delivery management.
    • Help design and pilot innovative approaches to connect countries, media, communities, and partner teams to harness AI opportunities and mitigate risks.
    • Contribute to go-to-market strategies, partnership agreements, and visibility for all AI Hub programmes and partners.
    • Collaborate closely with the Digital, AI and Innovation Communications & Partnerships teams (BPPS), UNDP-Italy Rome Centre, and relevant nodes.
  3. Support Programme Management, Measurement & Strategic Coordination
    • Assist the AI Hub Executive Steering Group and Private Sector Advisory Groups.
    • Support management of partnership expectations, agreements, and partner visibility.
    • Work with the Digital Transformation Delivery Coordinator, DT Capability Leads, and project teams to map initiatives, define impact indicators, and address gaps in measurement practices.
    • Ensure continuous alignment of programme delivery with the Hub’s strategic objectives.
    • Provide coordination support to the Management team in strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of digital transformation initiatives across the AI Hub.
  4. Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
    • Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme goals. 
    • Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners. 
    • Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account. 
    • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms. 
    • Organize training for personnel on related matters in assigned areas.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Analysts will report to Programme Specialists and/or Director of AI Hub, and will work in tandem with the global Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, the UNDP Rome Centre, and the Bureaus of Africa and Arab States. This collaboration will also ensure the adoption of robust communications and advocacy guidelines pertaining to different stakeholders, aligned with the Bureau of Policy and Programmes at UNDP, to maximize reach and influence across regions. 

Competencies

  • Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

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

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

  • Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

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

Communications-Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Digital-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.

Partnership Management-Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

Business Direction & Strategy-Effective Decision Making : Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Management-Communication: 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. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Business Administration, Learning, International Development, IT, Economics, Business, Communications, or a related field is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience working in AI, digital transformation, or sustainable development. 
  • Demonstrated experience in managing digital initiatives, communities or innovation functions. 
  • Demonstrated experience managing high-level offsites, team events, and internal team communications. 
  • Experience in advanced use of office applications (MS Word, Excel, Teams, etc.). 
  • Experience in different contexts and experience working with developing countries is an asset 
  • Experience with international development and key challenges affecting developing countries is an asset.
  • Experience working in or with UN agencies is an asset. 
  • Experience in data analysis, knowledge management, or reporting to inform decision-making and track impact of digital or AI-related initiatives is an asset.
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g. tech, policy, operations) and coordinating across different units is an asset.

Language: 

  • Fluency in English is required.    
  • Working knowledge of another official UN language or a local language from partner countries is advantageous.   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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