Digital Innovation Officer

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.

The ‘post’ COVID-19 era has presented to countries around the world with the biggest challenge ever experienced. This era has also opened space for envisioning and reimagining new pathways for socio-economic transformation, especially in the way in which public services are delivered to citizens. Nigeria continues to grapple with unprecedented knock-on effects of the pandemic as the country aspires to leapfrog old and emerging frontier challenges to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing, and security of its citizens. As witnessed at the height of the pandemic, what began as a health issue, very quickly transformed into a social and economic crisis with far reaching implications on people's livelihoods, the governance architecture, and economy. The secondary effects of the pandemic and containment measures had a bearing on people – changing the way populations live, work, interact, transact, and learn. It has also impacted on the way in which public goods and services are procured, delivered, and consumed. The crisis also brought with it new needs and opportunities for digital transformation in the delivery of public services and an increased demand on the existing ones.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as core part of the UN development system in Nigeria is supporting the country in its recovery efforts playing a critical integrator and convening role. A key aspect of this support is exploring the scope for amplifying the digital transformation agenda / trajectory both in the short (in response to immediate needs emerging from the crisis) medium and long term (accelerating the path towards recovery and transformative development). This is anchored on the #FutureSmart UNDP as espoused in its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and Digital Strategy 2022-2025.

UNDP Digital Strategy 2022-2025 presents the organization’s value proposition on the role that digital could play in accelerating the attainment of SDGs. It underlines digitalization as one of its key enablers towards achieving development priorities, end poverty, protect the planet and bring peace and prosperity to all. One of the key strategic approaches for prioritizing digitalization to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs is leveraging Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in the development of Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in line with UNDP’s five guiding principles for digital transformation.

UNDP defines Inclusive DPIs as a holistic approach that combines local digital ecosystem with digital public infrastructure to enable a community of actors to unlock transformative solutions that are inclusive and protect human rights, based on a robust governance framework and local digital capacities. This framework brings together technology and non-technology layers that together address the three systemic challenges in digital transformation in countries and across sectors and unlock the value trapped within the ecosystem.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of UNDP Lagos Office and Chief Innovation Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteers will:

1. Sustain engagement and build partnerships with the digital ecosystem in Nigeria – identifying avenues for collaboration in advancing the SDGs agenda.
2. Undertake continuous mapping and build a catalogue of digital-enabled solutions that have are solving development challenges in Nigeria.
3. Deploy creative open-source methodologies for mapping existing digital public infrastructure, digital public goods, open-source communities, and related ecosystems in Nigeria.
4. Support in the deployment of digital readiness assessments and jointly with selected States co-design frameworks for strengthened capacities for public sector innovation and digital transformation.
5. Support the roll-out of Public Sector Digital Innovation Fellowships in selected states as part of a broader capacity building effort.
6. Establish or participate in communities of sustained learning around public sector innovation and digital transformation with the overall goal of advancing UNDP’s development agenda and supporting the digital ecosystem.
7. Define roadmaps and conceptual framework for driving public sector innovation and digital transformation including policy labs for public sector reform agenda.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Computer Science, Business Intelligence, Public Policy, Social Sciences or related field and minimum of 3 years of professional experience in digital innovation, social innovation; partnership building; engagement (public and private sector).

• Experience working in either incubators, accelerators, private sector innovation hubs, public sectors (local, national, or multilateral, including UN) or private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate). • Experience in supporting the implementation of projects related to innovation, technology, and/or digitalisation at sub-national levels. • Ability to successfully manage multi-stakeholder projects • Knowledge of technology, and ability to stay abreast of emerging technology trends and topics. • Experience of working with and support private or public sector on Digital Transformation/Digital Government/Public Service Delivery systems/projects, preferably in a developing country context • Demonstrated understanding of ethics, privacy and human rights issues related to digital technology, with experience of working on these issues preferred • Experience in agile digital innovation & development methodologies • Experience of building cross-sector partnerships and cross-culture understandings • Vast experience working in Nigeria within the tech, digital and innovation ecosystem • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System.

Nigeria is a unique country, and it provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.