Digital Transformation & Innovation Expert

Volunteering Communications & PR Environment Innovation

Overview

Lead digital innovation projects for economic empowerment through technology.

You have:

• Proven ability to manage complex, high-impact projects involving diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in youth entrepreneurship, AgriTech, and Just Energy Transition initiatives is highly desirable.
• Proficiency utilizing Data & Digital Literacy tools, such as Excel, Power BI, Google Data Studio.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, results-oriented, effective communicator with experience in stakeholder coordination.
• Knowledge of AI applications and digital transformation trends.
• Ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainable development.

Contract

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

South Africa is a middle-income country with high income inequality, youth unemployment, and structural economic challenges. Despite a well-developed industrial base and financial sector, economic opportunities remain unequally distributed, particularly among historically disadvantaged communities. Digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovation-driven solutions offer transformative opportunities for economic inclusion, job creation, and entrepreneurship. The AgriTech sector presents significant potential for rural development, food security, and sustainable employment. Likewise, modernizing the informal economy through digital tools, financial inclusion, and technology-driven market access can empower small businesses and improve livelihoods. However, the digital divide and skills gaps hinder widespread adoption. UNDP South Africa promotes inclusive economic growth by advancing digital transformation, AI for development, youth empowerment, and innovation in AgriTech and the informal economy. Partnering with government, private sector, academia, and development agencies, UNDP is committed to leveraging technology for sustainable development and economic inclusion. The Digital Transformation & Innovation Expert will be pivotal in leading high-impact projects that drive digital innovation in informal and independent economies, promote AI-driven AgriTech solutions, and support a just energy transition. The incumbent will provide technical expertise and strategic project management, ensuring projects align with South Africa’s national development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Manager: Inclusive Growth or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will perform the following roles:

Strategic Leadership & Technical Expertise: • Provide thought leadership on digital transformation, AI-driven innovation, and inclusive growth strategies, • Offer high-level technical advisory services to the government, development partners, and UNDP teams, • Identify and implement cutting-edge digital solutions that enhance project impact and scalability, • Lead feasibility studies and pilot initiatives on emerging technologies in economic empowerment.

Project Management & Implementation: • Develop and oversee detailed project work plans, ensuring alignment with objectives, timelines, and budgets, • Ensure high-quality project delivery, tracking progress, managing risks, and adapting strategies as needed, • Manage project budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation and financial compliance with UNDP policies, • Supervise and provide technical guidance to implementing partners and vendors.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and development organizations, • Represent UNDP at high-level policy discussions, industry conferences, and expert forums, • Advocate for policy reforms and digital economy initiatives that drive inclusive economic growth.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: • Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project success, • Lead the development of data-driven insights, impact reports, and knowledge-sharing materials, • Conduct project evaluations and synthesize lessons learned to enhance future interventions.

Innovation and Digital Transformation: • Drive AI, digital economy, and AgriTech innovations to scale successful interventions, • Stay ahead of global trends in digital transformation and innovation to inform project design, • Champion pilot initiatives and research on AI applications for economic empowerment.

Partnership Development: • Identify and cultivate new partnerships with technology firms, financial institutions, and research entities to enhance project outcomes, • Leverage partnerships to secure additional funding and resources for digital transformation initiatives, • Establish formal collaboration agreements to drive the co-creation of innovative digital solutions, • Develop, design and formulate project and concept notes for resource mobilization.

Professionalism; Integrity; Teamwork and respect for diversity; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; Planning and organizing; Communication; Flexibility; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Project Management, Digital Transformation, Economic Development, or Innovation-driven programming; • Proven ability to manage complex, high-impact projects involving diverse stakeholders; • Experience in youth entrepreneurship, AgriTech, and Just Energy Transition initiatives is highly desirable; • Strong track record securing and managing donor funding for large-scale development projects; • Exposure and experience in coordinating projects, especially those with digital transformation and innovations; • Experience in empowerment, within the informal sector, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and employment creation initiatives; • Proficiency in performance monitoring and data-driven decision-making; • Familiarity with UNDP programming frameworks, resource mobilization, and donor relations will be advantageous, as will Knowledge of multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy; • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, results-oriented, effective communicator with experience in stakeholder coordination; • Ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainable development;

General ICT Proficiency: • Proficiency utilizing Project Management Tools, such as MS Project; • Proficiency utilizing Data & Digital Literacy tools, such as Excel, Power BI, Google Data Studio; • Knowledge of AI applications and digital transformation trends; • Proficiency utilizing Survey & M&E Tools.

Pretoria is located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the country’s two capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. It offers excellent living conditions and various types of world-class facilities. Housing is readily available, and rents can be negotiated. Infrastructure, internet connectivity, roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of a high standard. Pretoria is classified as an A duty station, and South Africa is in security phase 1. Like in other big cities with significant crime rates, caution must be exercised always. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their housing and other living essentials.

UN Volunteers receive the below entitlements: • A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): R22,926.08 per month, • Expertise differential: R9,170.43 Per Month, • A once-off entry lump sum of $400 at the start of the assignment, • Medical insurance; Life cover, and annual leave, • Access to all learning platforms, • A once-off exit lump sum at the end of the assignment.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unv.org