Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office based position

Duty station: New York, United States (Initially New York, USA and move to Bonn, Germany before end December 2026.)

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

For six decades, UNDP has shaped the progress of human development, working with its partners to lift millions from poverty and increase opportunities for all. Empowered by Member States with a mandate to work across the spectrum of human development, UNDP provides integrated support at scale to improve people’s lives worldwide. UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 is grounded in the determination to eradicate poverty, the greatest global challenge, indispensable to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the Strategic Plan, UNDP will continue to support countries’ progress towards high human development, while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and healthy planet – define its strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance. All are underpinned by a commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind.

Within UNDP, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) unites world-class policy expertise, flagship global programmes, and collaborative innovation and learning networks so UNDP is not only ready for the future but helps build it with governments and partners. To support the achievement of the Strategic Plan, BPPS keeps UNDP at the leading edge of thought and practice, translating evidence into action and elevating solutions that work on the ground. BPPS is where policy meets practice - for impact. From development to crisis contexts, BPPS helps countries navigate complexity, scale what works, and advance a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.

In response to the dynamic and rapidly changing development context, BPPS implemented a new structure in 2026 to strengthen its ability to plan, adapt, and execute its strategy in support of the achievement of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029. A key component of this restructuring is the centralization of operational support functions within the Business Solutions Hub for greater cost and process efficiency, integrating digital solutions where possible. 

The Business Process and Digitalization Specialist will therefore lead efforts to streamline operations and leverage technology to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of BPPS’ programme and project implementation. They will be instrumental in driving digital transformation initiatives aligned with UNDP’s prevailing Digital Strategy.

This role involves collaboration with various stakeholders to implement innovative digital solutions that address operational challenges, streamline workflows, and improve service delivery across BPPS operations.

To develop a culture of solutions-orientation and continuous improvement, in the BSH, the Business Process and Digitalization Specialist will be a key resource in monitoring the team’s progress against established KPIs, commitments to Service Level Agreements with Clients, facilitating the team’s action on client feedback, and ensuring that the governance structure for service delivery is followed.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.)Lead  Process Optimization       

• Conduct analysis and mapping of existing business processes to identify inefficiencies.

• Facilitate workshops with stakeholders to gather requirements and brainstorm solutions.

• Design and implement new processes that leverage technology for better outcomes.

2.) Lead Digital Transformation Initiatives       

• Develop and implement strategies for the digital transformation of business processes.

• Assess current processes and recommend improvements through digital solutions.

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of digital initiatives on operational efficiency

3.) Promote Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration       

• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to drive buy-in for digital initiatives.

• Serve as a key liaison between BPPS units to ensure seamless integration of new technologies.

• Conduct periodic surveys to obtain client feedback to inform improvements.

4.) Support Governance and Performance Management       

• Assist in the development and monitoring of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

  • Provide analytical support to enhance service delivery governance frameworks.

• Arrange Governance board meetings to ensure alignment on performance metrics; resulting action points and recommendations are followed-up with team members.

5.) Lead Knowledge Management       

• Design and deliver training programs to enhance digital literacy among personnel. 

• Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting for digital tools and systems.

• Monitor industry trends to stay abreast of new technologies and best practices in digital transformation.

• Evaluate potential tools and platforms for their efficacy in enhancing business processes.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Directly reports to the Team Leader. 

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 

  • Business Direction & Strategy  -  Systems Thinking:    
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement 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 Direction & Strategy -   Negotiation and Influence: 
    • Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
       
  • Business Development  -  Collective Intelligence Design:
    • Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services.
    • Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
       
  • Business Management -   Communication: 
    • 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.
       
  • Business Management   - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: 
    • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions 
      to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
  • Digital - Digital business analysis:
    • Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities
       
  • Data - Data analysis:    
    • Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in International Development, ICT, Business Administration, or related field is required, Or
  • A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the abovementioned areas, in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration.

Experience:

  • A minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in areas involving digital transformation of processes, stakeholder engagement, governance and performance management, is required.

Required skills:

  • Proven experience business transformation is required.
  • Proven experience with project management methodologies and tools is required.
  • Proven experience in change management and re-engineering business processes together with strong analytical skills is required.
     

Desired skills: 

  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders is an asset.
  • Experience in UN/UNDP operations would be an asset.
  • Experience and knowledge of digital tools and platforms would be an asset.
  • Experience in designing and delivering training programs to enhance digital literacy is an asset.

Required Language(s):

  • Fluency in English 

 Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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