Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the belief in the principle of leaving no one behind. UNDP aims to be a trusted partner, innovative and effective in its efforts to help countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To make progress towards these goals, UNDP has shaped its long-term vision to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet.
In the recent years, acknowledging the role of digital in promotion of sustainable development Kyrgyzstan has introduced several significant initiatives to move the country forward into the digital age. The National Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic 2018-2040, the National Development Programme for 2026 and the National Digital Transformation Concept “Sanarip Kyrgyzstan 2019-2023” emphasize the need for digital transformation and harnessing digital tools to support the modernization of the economy, improve economic competitiveness, shift towards e-government to enable more effective, inclusive, transparent, accessible, and uninterrupted public services and empower people through digital. Despite certain progress, challenges of digital transformation in the country persist and require increasingly comprehensive, whole-of-the-government and whole-of-the-society approaches to complex issues.
As the government moves forward with the digital agenda, UNDP remains the key trusted partner assisting the government in development goals achievement under complex settings with its vast network of expertise and partners globally and experience of both policy and grassroots level. UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic (UNDP KR) has already pioneered digital agenda in the country with numerous projects, such as election support since 2010 through automation of voters’ identification, nurturing digital skills and youth employment opportunities, building Osh IT Hub, e-fiscalization, providing technical assistance for the development of a new national digital strategy, including the Digital Readiness Assessment, and beyond. Currently, UNDP KR implements the programme on enhancing equitable and inclusive health coverage by bridging the digital divide jointly with other specialized UN Agencies and explores further interventions to enhance key aspects of digital transformation – regulation, governance, national capacities, infrastructure, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
To sustain current support to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and further explore opportunity for digital programming, UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic aims to hire a Digital Development Officer.
Duties and Responsibilities
The objective of the assignment is to support the implementation of the joint programme on enhancing equitable and inclusive health coverage by bridging the digital divide and UNDP resource mobilization actions towards digital programming.
Project Management and Coordination:
- Manage and coordinate the implementation of projects activities of the Joint Programme on enhancing equitable and inclusive health coverage by bridging the digital divide to ensure the maintenance of quality and timeliness, and delivery of outputs as per UNDP’s rules and regulations;
- Report regularly to the Team Leader of the Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Programme and other relevant stakeholders on the projects progress;
- Coordinate the management and implementation of activities of the projects as set out in the AWPs (Annual Work Plan) in consultation with Team Leader of the SED Programme and other relevant stakeholders;
- Source expertise to develop comprehensive terms of reference for the purchase of services and works required for the implementation of activities under the JP and ensure proper contract management;
- Liaise and coordinate with the relevant stakeholders’ focal points in regard to projects implementation;
- Maintain close cooperation with designated focal point from key stakeholders, indicating any estimated changes to the work plan, and proposing a budget revision when appropriate;
- Monitor the projects budgets, funds and resources according to UNDP guidelines;
- Prepare progress and financial reports of the projects when required;
- Engage and lead on the preparation of relevant communication and knowledge products, including publications and reports, knowledge sharing and exchange practices, developing expert pool/community for leveraging expertise, and relevant data storage and dissemination;
- Represent UNDP in joint meetings and stakeholder consultations related to the select thematic areas.
Technical Advisory:
- Lead conceptualization of digital development related interventions and substantively support drafting project proposals in line with the national priorities, UNDP CPD, and development partners’ priorities;
- Support COs in evaluating and addressing requests coming from governments, ensuring that both short term, tactical and long term, strategic considerations are integrated;
- Provide intelligence and technical support to establishment of a coherent digital portfolio at UNDP KR;
- Engage closely with other UNDP KR programmes to ensure digitally enabled programming to amplify development outcomes;
- Lead the stakeholder engagement activities based on the digital development related working group of the Development Partners Coordination Council.
Strategic Partnership:
- Support partnership and resource mobilization mapping, design and update of donor fund-raising strategy, management of relations and thematic communication with donor community and investors;
- Promote partnership and cooperation through continuous interaction with the national stakeholders and development partners;
- Support development of digital transformation related advocacy action on the national level by continuously shaping and validating agenda with national stakeholders and relevant development partners.
Competencies
Core Competencies
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized 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
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
- Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Operations Management
- Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
- Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
- Partnerships Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
- Communication
- 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
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
- Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
- Co-creation
- Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together
- Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders, understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into them as a source for creativity
- Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in information and communication technologies, international development, economics, statistics, public administration or other relevant field is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with a Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in the field of digital development is required.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience of working with/in international organizations’ programme and projects.
- Proven experience of management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring & evaluation of development projects in governmental structures, CSOs or international organizations including relevant experience in the respective programme sphere.
- Proven experience with digital development/transformation related programming with the government or in non-for-profit sector.
Desired Skills:
- Proven experience with enhancing functionality / performance of information systems and digital platforms.
- Proven experience of multi-stakeholder policy coordination.
- Knowledge of / interest in health sector trends.
Languages:
- Spoken and written proficiency in Russian and English.
- Kyrgyz language proficiency is desirable.
Institutional Arrangement
Digital Development Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Programme and in close engagement with the Programme Associate of the SED Programme, regional and global digital advisers, UN Agencies and in close collaboration with key national partners – President’s Administration, Ministry of Digital Development, Ministry of Health, National Statistical Committee and other key governmental bodies and development partners.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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