Digital & AI Capacity Building Lead

Emerging and future digital technologies are one of the most profound drivers of change globally.  Recognizing that these technologies bring both opportunities to accelerate progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as presenting challenges to development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been undergoing an organization-wide digital transformation since 2019. UNDP’s digital transformation seeks to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and the planet. 

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over 22,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world.  Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues.

As part of broader global efforts of inclusive digital transformation, the Pact for the Future and its annex, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), were adopted on September 22, 2024, at the Summit of the Future. In the Compact, Member States emphasize equitable access to technology, ethical digital practices, and capacity building for governments, civil society, and communities worldwide.

In line with this, the Chief Digital Office (CDO) at UNDP is looking for a Digital and AI Capacity Building Lead to spearhead UNDP’s efforts to establish a Digital and AI Capacity Building Practice. Building on the aims within the GDC, the aim of the Practice is to foster partnerships, strengthen digital capabilities of stakeholders, and ensure alignment with UNDP’s broader digital transformation and development objectives.
 

1. Strategic Leadership and Programme Management

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of a global Digital and AI Capacity Building programme aligned with UNDP’s Digital Strategy and the Global Digital Compact.
• Oversee the Digital and AI Capacity building programme management cycles, including budgeting, resource allocation, risk management, and reporting, ensuring timely delivery of objectives.
• Define the Digital and AI Capacity building programme goals, KPIs, and monitoring frameworks, ensuring scalability and relevance across UNDP’s country offices and partners.
• Anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and ensure alignment with UNDP’s operational priorities.

2. Partnership Development and Donor Engagement

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with donors, governments, private sector entities, and civil society to mobilize resources for the programme.
• Serve as a focal point for donor relations, ensuring effective communication and alignment with donor priorities.
• Advocate for investments in capacity building through active participation in global forums and events.

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Design and deliver capacity-building frameworks and initiatives for governments and partners to enhance their digital and programmatic capabilities.
• Develop and disseminate tools, guidelines, and best practices for digital and programme management capacity building, ensuring inclusivity and relevance.
• Foster peer learning and the development of a global community of practice focused on digital transformation.

4. Team and Resource Management

• Oversee the efficient management of programme resources, ensuring compliance with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Foster a results-oriented and collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and inclusivity.
• Represent UNDP in high-level discussions and inter-agency collaborations on digital capacity building.
• Advocate for the integration of digital tools and principles in global development efforts, emphasizing inclusivity and ethics.
• Contribute to thought leadership by authoring publications and policy briefs on digital capacity building and programme management.

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

Minimum education requirements:

• Advanced university degree in Public Administration, International Development, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field, OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• Minimum 7 years (or 9 years with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in programme management, capacity building or digital transformation in a global context.

Required skills:

• Proven experience managing large-scale programmes and mobilizing resources.
• Demonstrated experience working with donors, private sector partners, and/or international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in project and team management.
• Strong demonstrated understanding of digital technologies, digital transformation and digital development practice

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Strong demonstrated understanding of UNDP’s mandate, the Global Digital Compact, and the Sustainable Development Goals is desired
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to capture and synthesize information to produce analysis and recommendations is desired.
• Experience in managing multicultural teams and fostering diversity and inclusion is desired.
• Willingness to travel globally as required.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of an additional UN language (French, Spanish, or Arabic) is an asset.

Professional Certificates: Not Applicable

To apply, the following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) outlining your suitability for the position, include a description of your experience with programme management and digital capacity-building efforts.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.