Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations (UN) global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP has a presence in nearly 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results. The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will be hosted by the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Singapore (UNDP Global Centre). The Centre operates as part of UNDP’s new Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub, which is designed to address gaps in existing development models by leveraging digital, data-driven, and innovation approaches. The DAI Hub harnesses digital technologies, AI, and systems innovation to co-create transformation journeys with governments and partners, enabling more agile, adaptive, and interconnected responses to complex challenges. To advance this mission, the UNDP Global Centre leverages Singapore’s expertise, solutions, knowledge, and ecosystem of government and private sector partners, as well as insights from experts and partners worldwide and across UNDP’s Global Policy Network. In practice, the Centre connects policymakers, practitioners, think tanks, businesses, and other stakeholders globally, fostering learning and the exchange of best practices on technology, innovation, and partnerships for sustainable development. Building on this, the UNDP Global Centre aims to identify, co-create, and share innovative and technological solutions for sustainable development. It works to catalyse new insights, partnerships, and actions in the countries where UNDP operates. A dedicated team leads its programme and partnership development work, in close collaboration with UNDP Country Offices worldwide through the core functions including agile policy development support, research and thought leadership, partnership and global ecosystem building, as well as knowledge exchange and capacity building.
ContextEstablished in 2019 as a joint initiative between the Government of Singapore and UNDP, the UNDP Global Centre is entering its 2025–2029 phase. One of the key focys is on harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for sustainable development, while proactively addressing its associated risks. UNDP collaborates with developing countries to leverage AI in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key initiatives include ecosystem-building efforts such as the AI Hub for Sustainable Development in Africa, developed in partnership with the G7 Presidency, as well as AI-driven national and regional projects—ranging from pandemic resilience in Rwanda and forestry conservation in Ecuador to combating misinformation and harmful content in the Arab region. However, the rapid development and deployment of AI technologies bring forth a range of trust and safety challenges. These include mis- and disinformation, data privacy and protection, harmful content, child safety, gender-based violence, fraud and scams, security threats, regulatory compliance, and foreign interference. To address these challenges, UNDP is launching a global initiative on AI Trust and Safety (AI T&S). The initiative focuses on fostering collaborations across public sector entities, technology companies, startups, research institutions, and civil society; co-developing solutions with local stakeholders to ensure their relevance to specific contexts; and adopting a proactive and adaptive approach, rather than reacting to isolated incidents. In this context, the UNDP Global Centre in Singapore plays a pivotal role in advancing regional efforts in Asia-Pacific. It works closely with partners such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to support the implementation of the AI T&S initiative. The Centre also takes lead in organizing meetings with AI experts from Singapore and the region (virtual and in-person), collaborating on drafting knowledge products, and carrying out partnership building activities.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of AI Trust & Safety Specialist, the UN Volunteer (UNV) will play a key role in supporting the Asia-Pacific regional efforts led by the UNDP Global Centre in Singapore. The UNV will contribute to a multi-stakeholder process aimed at identifying, analyzing, and addressing critical AI-related trust and safety challenges across diverse contexts. The UNV will carry out the following tasks : - Support the coordination of UNDP’s open call for AI experts by identifying and engaging with regional stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. - Facilitate expert contributions that highlight priority T&S challenges, analyze systemic factors, and propose innovative, context-specific solutions. - Assiste with and contribute to the planning and execution of regional engagement forums (virtual, hybrid, or in-person) focused on specific AI T&S issues. This includes logistical coordination, agenda development, and speaker outreach support. - Participate in stakeholder engagement processes, working closely with regional knowledge partners to synthesize insights from expert forums and broader research into a comprehensive regional report. - Contribute to drafting, editing, and reviewing the draft report to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. - Support the integration of regional findings into a global report that will guide future programming, partnerships, and resource mobilization. Assist in preparing materials for the report’s launch and potential follow-up initiatives, such as solution matchmaking and mentorship programs. - Contribute to the development of communication materials, including presentations, briefs, and social media content, to promote the initiative and its outcomes across platforms. UN Volunteers are required to : - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. - Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and values- Accountability - Adaptability and Flexibility - Client Orientation - Commitment and Motivation - Commitment to Continuous Learning - Communication - Ethics and Values - Integrity - Planning and Organizing - Respect for Diversity - Self-Management - Technological Awareness - Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksThe duty station, Singapore, is an island city-state with a tropical climate. The country has a mixed-race population, including Chinese, Malays, Indians, and other ethnic groups living together. Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape, shaped by Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences, offers a rich cultural experience while requiring an awareness of the different ethnicities and religions. While the cost of living is high, Singapore is renowned for its stability, low crime rates, efficient government systems and excellent medical facilities. Basic amenities such as water and gas, as well as infrastructure like electricity, telecommunications and public transportation, are highly reliable. Access to the country is straightforward, with most people opting to fly into the well-connected Changi Airport. You can get more information on Singapore at https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/.