Design and Digitalization Associate

Volunteering IT & Telecom

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Afghanistan is facing multiple crises such as COVID-19, the impacts of drought and floods, and rapidly increasing poverty and food insecurity. On top of this, since the return of the Taliban to power, after the 15th of August 2021 and given the increasing numbers of internally displaced people, the operational and programmatic context for UNDP in Afghanistan has changed significantly. The level of programmatic and institutional risk is now much higher and hence saving livelihoods is critical for reducing the demand for humanitarian aid and emergency relief. The gradual development progress made over the last 20 years, including gains in the achievement of human rights, education, gender equality, health, social protection, and livelihoods, are at risk of being lost, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. These factors not only impact the economy, human security, and social cohesion, but are potential drivers of further conflict and violent extremism. UNDP has contributed to the gradual expansion of development investments across the country. From this experience we have seen that neither a one-size-fits-all approach, nor a fragmented sector-based approach has been effective. An integrated, innovative, and highly flexible approach is needed, one that puts people first, targets the most vulnerable and meets local needs by focusing on saving livelihoods, the fundamental underpinning of UNDP’s Integrated Local Socio-Economic Recovery and Community Resilience building efforts. Project Description: UNDP has launched a “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project in 2024 to pilot and promote digital solutions for recovery in Afghanistan, aligning with UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan recognizing digitalization as a critical enabler, in collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners. The project builds on past digitalization, community empowerment, and inclusive economic development initiatives. It serves as a starting point for UNDP's longer-term objectives, including: · Analysing and aligning private sector workforce requirements with a pool of highly qualified personnel to strategically map skills and expertise. · Implementing digital courses for young individuals, providing them with practical skills in ICT and access to internship and job opportunities. · Promoting the startup ecosystem by creating an enabling environment for innovation, offering supportive infrastructure, resources, and networks to empower emerging businesses and contribute to overall entrepreneurial growth. The Design and Digitalization Associate will work in close coordination with the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project team and will be responsible for providing technical support to design and implement digital interventions within the project. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” Project Manager and in close collaboration with team members. The incumbent will also work closely with partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts, and civil society to help implement project activities in on promoting digital inclusion.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Design and Digitalization Associate will:

• Support effective design and implementation of interventions within the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project, focusing on the achievement of expected project results. • Map innovation solutions supporting the digitalization of businesses and employment opportunities to youth and women in Afghanistan. • Develop relevant supporting documents within the topics of innovation and digitalization that are applicable in the context of Afghanistan. • Provide recommendations on promotion of digital skills and knowledge of youth, women, and population of Afghanistan. • Map existing educational institutions, stakeholders, platforms, private sector companies interested in promoting digitalization and explore possible partnership. • Provision of targeted advisory services related to concrete measures or practical steps regarding the promotion of innovation, competitiveness, and digitalization of businesses and educational services. • Conduct monitoring of project implementation and maintain update of the project related monitoring systems. • Provision of substantive support to the implementation of project activities aimed at improving access for vulnerable groups/ private sector / civil society organizations to digital innovations in employment, entrepreneurship, innovative financing, and business continuity. • Provide support on conducting national/regional campaigns, launching initiatives, and publications, as well as conducting quarterly meetings with the digital sector stakeholders of the country. • Monitor initiatives related to internship, pitch session of startup initiatives, freelancing opportunities and other initiatives aimed to improve digital skills of youth. • Provide technical support on the implementation of digitalization activities in line with the project strategy including stakeholder consultation, and community participation. • Design digital interventions for youth and women, as well as improving the capacity of private sector companies. • Assess the existing digitalization and innovations at the community level practices in the target sites; assess to what extent these practices consider future climate change scenarios and improving the livelihood of the population. • Carry out a preliminary costing exercise along with a calculation of potential beneficiaries for potential digital initiatives. • Develop terms of references, articles and success stories related to digitalization and innovation. • Support to prepare capacity development materials on digitalization and innovation; provide technical support in conducting capacity building initiatives. • Regular visits will be required within selected project sites identified on digitalization. • Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• 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.

• Accountability Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues. • Adaptability and flexibility Adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards [Insert name of Host Agency]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. • Creativity proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts, and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. • Judgement and decision-making Demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [Insert name of Host Agency] in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Planning and organising

Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Professionalism demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [Insert name of Host Agency]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [Insert name of Host Agency] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Self-management

Bachelor’s degree in management, computer sciences, information and communication technologies, public administration, economics, social sciences, or related fields.

• Minimum of 3-15 years with a bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in the design and implementation of digital and innovation-related projects/programmes. • Proven experience in conducting assessments and analysis of digitalization and innovation-related activities. • Direct working experience in innovation, digitalization, and provision of consultations to partners is a must. • Ability to organize and conduct training and presentations in online workshops and seminars. • Strong knowledge and understanding sub-national institutional contexts of Afghanistan in terms of the promotion of innovation and digitalization. • Previous experience of working with community-based NGOs and private-sector companies is an asset.

This position is open for local applicants and UNDP will not provide any accommodation facilities.

21. Conditions of Service

Note on novel coronavirus – COVID-19. The rapidly changing nature of novel coronavirus COVID-19 has placed significant and increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people across the globe, within countries and across borders. Such restrictions make it very difficult for international UN Volunteers to begin their assignments at their assigned duty station and UNV cannot guarantee assignments will proceed as normal. Candidates for international UN Volunteer assignments during this period may be exceptionally granted alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. This is at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss the likelihood of travel and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer. In cases where the UN Host Entity partner has requested the UN Volunteer to perform their assignment remotely, the Post Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) and related entitlements to be paid may be adjusted to the temporary duty station from where the UN Volunteer has been requested to work if requested by the UN Host Entity. The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,651. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates monthly according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

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Added 13 days ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org