Digital Inclusion Expert

Bern

Organization: UPU - Universal Postal Union
Location: Bern
Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Poverty Reduction
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: 2023-10-04

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/23/P2/FT-NC/422

Title: Digital Inclusion Expert

Grade: P2

Type of contract: Fixed-term (Non-Core) Appointment

Duration: until 31 December 2025

Publication Date: 24 August 2023

Application Deadline: 4 October 2023
(41 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications

Organizational Unit: Policy, Regulation and Markets Directorate (DPRM)
Digital and Trade Policy

Duty Station: Bern Switzerland

Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible

Organizational Context:
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Main duties:
Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, the incumbent will play a key role in supporting the UPU's efforts to expand community connectivity through the Post in the developing and least developed countries. This is a technical role with project management responsibilities.

1. Research digital market developments
a. Identify studies which could be led by the UPU to:
- Support the creation or acquisition of datasets on ICT infrastructure, postal connectivity, and other key digital inclusion data in member countries;
- Track and evaluate emerging connectivity technologies and business model approaches and how these can be incorporated;
- Measure the digital inclusion impact of the postal sector;
- Identify innovative or successful business models.
b. Identify partner institutions which may be interested in supporting and/or working with the UPU on research activities in the field of digital inclusion.
c. Prepare studies in the field of digital inclusion, in coordination with internal and external stakehold¬ers, from data collection and analysis to drafting, peer review and publication.

2. Advocacy and knowledge management
- Maintain and expand the UPU's pool of partners in the area of digital inclusion and connectivity, including governments, regulators (both postal and related digital economy actors), national, regional and international organizations, donors and development partners, and academics.
- Based on the research produced by the UPU, prepare focused explanatory texts and communi-cations activities targeted at these partners to ensure a greater recognition of the postal sector's contribution to digital inclusion.
- Design targeted messages and communication tools and channels for potential partners. In par-ticular, ensure that UPU research is published or re-published by key digital inclusion knowledge institutes, international organizations and think tanks.
- Work with other stakeholders to design, plan and organize international conferences and events related to digital inclusion issues.
- Contribute to the planning and organization of UPU meetings.

3. Resource mobilization and project monitoring
- Support UPU resource mobilization related to digital inclusion and connectivity matters.
- Propose and design digital inclusion and community connectivity projects for submission to donors and participate in and support discussions and negotiations with donors.
- Assist with the management of connectivity-related work implemented by consultants and con-tracting organizations.
- Contribute to regular and ad hoc reporting on digital-inclusion-based connectivity work.
- Monitor digital inclusion and related connectivity projects

4. Other
- Perform any other duties as required or as advised by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education:
First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in information and communication technology (ICT), IT management, innovation, digital economy, public policy, business administration, economics, or law. An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in one of the same fields would be an asset.

Experience:
At least two years’ experience in project implementation and management, part of which should be in the field of digital services.

Technical knowledge:
1. Experience in research and strategic planning, preferably in the areas of digital inclusion, innovation and digital economy.
2. Knowledge of leading market research activities, preferably on topics related to digital inclusion.
3. Experience in public policy advocacy, preferably in an international context.
4. Experience in national or regional digital policy and strategies would be an advantage.
5. Proven expertise in data collection and analysis; experience in econometrics techniques would be an advantage.
6. Proven ability to meet ambitious objectives and obtain results.
7. Experience in building and maintaining relationships with partners in the field of digital inclusion would be an advantage.

Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Ability to work across many cultures at different stages of economic development.
3. Ability to plan and to work in a multi-stakeholder team of both internal and external actors.

Language skills:
English language is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
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Priority shall be given for an internal promotion.
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Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
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The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
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Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from
being excluded from the selection process.
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The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)
50,377 USD

Post adjustment: 85.1 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.

The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.

The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.

For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:

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Currently accepting applications

The UPU has a smoke-free environment

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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