Research Manager - Digital Development

Senior

Overview

Lead UNDP's digital development research and thought leadership efforts

You have:

• Master's Degree in fields related to Technology, Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Innovation Management or equivalent
• At least 7 years of professional experience in digital development, research, consulting, tech policy, etc.
• Experience in translating research into field-level policy change and impact preferred
• Strong knowledge of digital topics such as digital for development, ICT4D, digital inclusion, digital public goods, digital finance, universal access, etc.
• Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and practical situations
• Knowledge of the latest trends with technology innovations (e.g. mobile apps, blockchain, artificial intelligence) preferred
• Proven track record in driving results - effectively delivering impactful elements of projects in fast-moving environment
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Contract

This is a IPSA-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-11 contracts.

Background

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Office/Unit/Project Description:

Emerging and future digital technologies and the opportunities they offer will profoundly improve the lives of those furthest behind. Recognizing this potential, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched an organization-wide digital transformation that will splice digital into its DNA—harnessing its potential to do good for more people, better and faster. UNDP’s 2019-2021 Digital Strategy has created a new UNDP Digital Unit, charged with leading next wave of innovation in sustainable development.

UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues. The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind. These aims are supported by the transformation of our internal, and operational systems and building of an agile, digitally capable workforce.

This role will be in Chief Digital Office, and is designed to provide additional capacity to strengthen the thought leadership of UNDP in the digital development space. S/he will report to the Digital Transformation Specialist, who manages the thought leadership workstream under CDO

Institutional Arrangement:

The incumbent will report to the Head of Digital Policy and Global Partnerships in UNDP’s Chief Digital Office (Executive Office).

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The Research Manager – Digital Development is responsible for the following:

Develop UNDP's point of view on digital development issues such as digital for climate, digital for resilience, inclusive connectivity, AI for development, etc.

• Identify latest trends and topics that UNDP needs to be aware and take lead
• Strengthen and continue to develop existing pipeline of thought leadership products for digital
• Contribute to the development of key emerging policy agendas in digital transformation and future of development contexts, in collaboration with policy teams at UNDP
• Bring in perspectives and expertise from the Global South, via UNDP Country Offices and the Regional Bureaux as appropriate
• Conduct and manage primary and/or secondary research with high quality, and distil relevant lessons from projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance
• Engage relevant partners on research or advocacy, hire and manage vendor and/or research partners as needed

Publish wide range of knowledge products to establish UNDP’s voice in the space:

• Lead the identification of gaps and opportunities for the development of new digital thought leadership products and align them with overall team priorities and work plans
• Work closely with the thought leadership team and the communications team within CDO team to identify the right product type for the right audience
• Write, review, and provide feedback to thought leadership pieces as needed for UNDP senior management, including but not limited to op-ed/speech for the Administrator, CDO, and other UNDP representatives
• Tailor existing materials for different audience, including but not limited to policy makers, UN agencies, ecosystem partners
• Review publications from across UNDP and provide substantive feedback

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:

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Digital & Innovation

Digital inclusion

Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society

Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and priority plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions

Digital & Innovation

Digital thought leadership

Ongoing research into emerging technologies and digital trends and the applications, risks, and opportunities associated with digital adoption, combined with the ability to communicate this synthesis with a broad audience

Business Management

Communications

Ability to 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 Direction & Strategy

Effective Decision Making

Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority\, area of expertise and resources

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA:

Min. Education requirements

• Master’s Degree in fields related to Technology, Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Innovation Management or equivalent
• First degree acceptable with an additional two years of experience in relevant field.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience in digital development, research, consulting, tech policy, etc.
• Additional 2 years of experience directly related to inclusive digital transformation preferred

Required skills

• Experience in translating research into field-level policy change and impact preferred
• Strong knowledge of digital topics and approaches such as digital for development, ICT4D, digital inclusion, digital public goods, digital finance, universal access, etc.
• Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and practical situations, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions.
• Knowledge of the latest trends with technology innovations (e.g. mobile apps, blockchain, artificial intelligence) preferred
• Proven track record in driving results - effectively delivering impactful elements of projects in fast-moving environment
• Experience working in low- and middle-income countries preferred

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org