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
UNDP launched its first Digital Strategy in mid-2019 to harness digital transformation within the organization. Building on a long history of project-level digital support for partners, the strategy represented a systematic and corporate-driven transformation process to reimagine the way UNDP serves its partners and operates its systems and processes. The first Digital Strategy proved to be prescient given the incredible acceleration in digital transformation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP has changed significantly over the past two and a half years, developing new capabilities in digital programming, and strengthening its digital capabilities. UNDP will continue to accelerate these efforts in response to growing demand from partner governments. UNDP will also continue to support its development partners to ensure that the arc of future digital transformation protects human rights and leaves no one behind. The Digital Strategy 2022-2025 directly responds to and builds upon UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which highlights the critical role of digital technology in achieving development outcomes. In UNDP's Strategic Plan 2022-2025, digitalization is outlined as one of three key enablers – along with strategic innovation and development financing – that will drive UNDP’s efforts towards the 2030 agenda over the next four years. The Strategic Plan notes that digital is to be built into all dimensions of UNDP’s work, including in the programming of its six Signature Solutions. It also notes the need for UNDP to support its partners in holistic digital transformation efforts, to advocate for inclusive and responsible digital solutions for sustainable development, and to continue its digital transformation.
The focus of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) is to help countries in the region build and share solutions in their sustainable development pathways, with inclusive and effective democratic governance, building climate and disaster resilience. Our goal is to strengthen capacities and provide an enabling environment for access to opportunities, focusing on the most vulnerable and excluded population groups – in ways that are sustainable from economic, social, and environmental standpoints. The Bureau works with governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to develop national and local capacities and building stronger institutions that offer quality services for their citizens, integrate environmental considerations into development plans and strategies, and effectively target policies to reduce poverty and provide social protection for those in need.
Inclusive digital transformation stands at the forefront of priorities for LAC. Frontier technologies (Artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Big data, The Metaverse, Bioprinting, Quantum computing) have the potential of drastically altering the labor market and the broader economic and social landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean. As they continue to advance, they present both transformative opportunities and challenges that could reshape the future of work within the region. Given this context, UNDP RBLAC through its Digital HUB is developing a series of actions as a response to the need of insuring a sustainable and equitable future for digital transformation in the region.
Scope of Work
This role will be a pivotal position to provide effective digital policy and programmatic support and coordination of digital initiatives across the RBLAC region. It will lead LAC’s Digital Hub 4 Development, which aims to serve as a regional centralized entity driving and mainstreaming digitalization within the LAC region. Its core mission is to strategically articulate, cultivate, and expedite UNDP's digital objectives, initiatives, supporting Country Offices and Governments to accelerate digital transformation in the region.
The position will work with country offices across the region to ensure that digital is integrated into UNDP programming and projects, and in collaboration with the relevant teams in the Bureau and Regional Hub in Panama. Moreover, it will coordinate interventions and strategies with the Chief Digital Office. It will also act as a focal point for countries in the region experimenting with new digital approaches and tools to advance development goals and scaling proven solutions.
The duties can be broadly clustered into four areas:
1) Policy Advisory
2) Knowledge, Learning and Global Networking
3) Programming Support
4) Regional Engagement
Institutional Arrangements
Competencies
Expected Demonstration of 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 inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment 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 Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Business Development Collective Intelligence Design Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions. Business Management Partnerships 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. Business Management Digital Awareness and LiteracyAbility and inclination to rapidly adoptnew technologies, eitherthrough skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.
2030 Agenda: Prosperity Inclusive Growth Digital economy including technologies/solutions. External Relations & Advocacy Digital Strategy Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve particular objectives.Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Min. Education requirements
Min. years of relevant work experience
Required skills
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Required Language(s)