Digital Democracy Specialist - IPSA 10 - Home based

Amman

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | Amman
Grade: Mid level - IPSA-10, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- International Relations
- Democratic Governance
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: 2023-05-30

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Regional Electoral Support Project for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is under the framework provided by UNDP’s Governance for People and Planet (G4PP) global programme, which is one of the programmatic mechanisms for delivery of UNDP’s integrated governance offer to deliver Signature Solution 2 on governance of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

The Regional Electoral Support Project for MENA is carried out with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Its overall aim is to improve accountability, participation and representation in the electoral and political processes in the Arab States by raising awareness and enhancing knowledge and capacity on elections and broader democratic governance topics throughout the region, as well as supporting civic engagement. The project provides expanded technical assistance to institutions, electoral stakeholders, and civil society on electoral issues. Some of the partners the project engages with include the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, the Organization of ArabEMBs and the Electoral Affairs Department of the League of Arab States.

While elections are critical milestones in the democratic pathway, and despite the progress made in recent years, the principle of genuine elections as the basis of democratic legitimacy is still sometimes undermined in the Arab States region by a lack of democratic culture, ineffective or inexperienced electoral institutions, under-representation of disadvantaged groups and a lack of access to information and evidence-based reporting that limit accountability. The project recognizes that a broader approach is needed that integrates a focus on electoral principles and good practices with the promotion of rights, inclusive political processes and increased democratic engagement.

The Regional Electoral Support project mainstreams the usage of social media and digital tools for positive transformational change, helping to amplify citizen voices, connecting people and providing platforms for citizens to work together towards achieving peaceful democratic transitions. It also works to guide how best to effectively use social media in electoral assistance in the Arab States. The Digital Democracy Specialist will contribute to these goals under the management of the Regional Electoral Advisor and in close and direct collaboration with OGC

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of eMonitor+ tool to monitor and analyze political discourse on digital media globally with an emphasis on the Arab states region.
Develop UNDP Electoral Support social media monitoring methodologies and provide advice and support to UNDP country offices and other stakeholders on social media listening and factchecking during elections.
Generate data visualization products, including dashboards and infographics, using Power BI, Tableau or other tools for UNDP regional products on information integrity in elections.
Facilitate dialogues, events and training on promoting information integrity in elections in the areas of combating mis/disinformation, hate speech, and violence against women in politics, among others.
Adapt global methodologies, tools, good practices and lessons learnt on information integrity in elections to the Arab states region.
Contribute to UNDP data analysis, research, policy and implementation of activities around monitoring information landscapes in elections and integrated data analytics on conflict and post-conflict settings with an emphasis on the Arab states region.
Establish and maintain partnerships with CSOs, researchers, academics, tech firms, UN agencies, and INGOs globally and in the Arab states’ region.

Institutional Arrangement

The Digital Democracy specialist will work under the management of the Regional Electoral Advisor and the direct guidance of the Regional Electoral Policy Specialist.

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
Digital & Innovation	Data analysis	Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
Digital & Innovation	Machine learning	Skilled in computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data
Digital & Innovation	Misinformation	Knowledge of how misinformation works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital & Innovation	Data literacy	Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.
Business Management	Communication	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. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other
			appropriate channels
2030 Agenda: Peace	Governance	Inclusion and Participation

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education	Master's degree in Data Science, Information Technology, Media and Communication, or related fields
Min. years of relevant Work experience	At least 5 years of experience working for the United Nations/ international organizations or EMBs. Experience in the field of digital media monitoring.
Required skills and competencies	Experience and knowledge of political communication, methodologies of social media monitoring/listening and data analysis. Experience and knowledge of online analytical tools and approaches, including but not limited to open-sources APIs and CrowdTangle. Experience in conflict and post-conflict settings. Data visualization and mapping skills, including experience with tools such as Power BI, and Tableau. Complex analytical and critical thinking skills.
Desired additional skills and competencies	Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python or programming languages Experience in crawling, scraping and collecting data via APIs
Required Language(s) (at working level)	Fluency in Arabic and English
Professional Certificates

Travel:

UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.
Frequent travel is expected to countries where eMonitor+ is deployed including Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia and others.

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.

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