Digital Integration Analyst

UNDP Moldova mission is critical in supporting the complex and dynamic landscape of sustainable development in Moldova. The engagements across government sectors, civil society, and academia are crucial in achieving the ambitious targets set by the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. In this context, the UNDP Moldova is strategically positioned as a reliable, responsive, and trusted provider of development services, supporting the Government’s efforts to pursue its priorities.

As part of the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023-2027, UNDP Moldova has committed to adopt integrated approaches to strengthen resilience of system and institutions. Aligned with the UNSDCF 2023-2027, and in the spirit of building a #FutureSmartUNDP, part of the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, corporate ‘enablers’ such as digital transformation and strategic innovation are deployed to support the Government to tackle complex development challenges that affect progress towards sustainable human development.

As digital technologies rapidly evolve and vary in its availability, accessibility, and impact, it is important that UNDP Moldova focuses to leverage existing and emerging technologies in a pragmatic and structured manner to become a better partner. UNDP Moldova ambition is not only to support the Government and local communities to become “digital by default”, but also to make sure digital solutions deliver impact – strengthen resilience of systems and institutions. The pandemic, war in Ukraine, and other compounded crises have highlighted the necessity and reliance on digital tools and timely data as well as emphasized the need for digital transformation – a national priorities for Moldova.

Rethinking digital transformation opportunities.

Digital transformation is already visible in Moldova as the country has begun to transfer legal, social, public service delivery to online platforms. Although Moldova has (i) a developed digital infrastructure, with 4G coverage at 98%, (ii) a well-placed e-Governance architecture, and (iii) an advanced ICT sector, the country needs to systemically rethink digital transformation opportunities and focus on a ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole of society’ systemic transformation, including digitalize higher number of services, closing the digital divide between rural and urban areas, people of different ages and genders, and improve/harmonize the legislative framework to align with international standards. 

UNDP Moldova has supported the Government in developing a comprehensive National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2030, which represents a bold engagement to accelerate digital transformation of the nation by exploring a ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach and is further actively engaged in ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive and sustainable.

A ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach at the epicenter of digital transformation.

• The National Digital Transformation Strategy2023-2030, as well as the UNDP Digital Strategy 2022-2025, serve as the cornerstones of the current UNDP Moldova engagements to expedite digital transformation across various sectors, integrate digital tools in both public administration and the private sector, simplify interactions between citizens and the state, and propel the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

From e-Governance to digital Government.

• National policies and regulatory frameworks for digital transformation are often implemented reactively. In an era of accelerating digital transformation, the Moldova Government with its institutions must take proactive action to lead the way despite imperfect digital infrastructures and modest skill capacities. Governments need to increase their use of digital technology to deliver more effective services to the population. This involves adding new value, promoting innovation, and reimagining development for the digital age.

Data for policy development.

• Advancing digital transformation in Moldova generates significant data, which the Moldova Government can leverage for better decision-making and governance. The experience of EVRF through providing on-bill compensation to reduce the energy vulnerability of the Moldovan public, supported by UNDP Moldova, demonstrated the successful use of data to automate effective government processes. Following this experience, UNDP Moldova is working to create a Data Governance Framework to provide standards for data collection, processing, verification, and validation. This framework will ensure that data is accurate, trustworthy, safe, secure, and compatible for exchange on national and local levels.

Digital literacy for a digital society.

• To help all people thrive in a digital society, regardless of their gender, age, level of education, and income, UNDP Moldova is undertaking efforts to ensure that all people in Moldova are digitally literate – have basic digital skills to use electronic public services, make the most of an ever-changing job market, etc. UNDP Moldova is also modernizing public services and the digital infrastructure to meet current standards. Since 2021, UNDP has supported the development of two new digital solutions as key enablers of the digital transformation of public services: an advanced digital signature/identity application (EVO) and the digital wallet (MWallet), part of the EVO app. These digital solutions are expected to enable at least 70% of the Moldovan public to be active users of digital public services. In addition, UNDP Moldova has supported women’s and girls’ integration in science and technology, particularly promoting STEEAM-based education, resulting in about 50% female participation in the “Tekwill in Every School” Programme. UNDP Moldova also supports women entrepreneurs, providing grants for women to establish and grow their businesses, including in ICT, with successful examples in agro-tech and cybersecurity.

Private sector engagement.

• UNDP Moldova recognizes the private sector’s role in strengthening e-Governance and transitioning to a digital government—one of the six objectives laid out in the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2030. To facilitate private-sector engagement, UNDP Moldova contracts private entities to enable ICT companies and start-ups to develop innovative and digital solutions in governance, finance, social protection, education, local development, digital identity, and more. This has been possible through the Moldova Digital Innovation Challenges, launched in partnership with Government partners.

Digital transformation in sectors.

• UNDP Moldova has initiated the development of several portfolio interventions with cross-cutting digital transformation components in numerus projects, including “Accelerating a Just Energy Transition”, “Digital Transformation of Social Protection”, “Accelerating Digital Governance”, “Accelerating Digital Transformation in Agriculture”, and others. Additionally, UNDP Moldova has embedded a network of Chief Digital Officers within several line ministries to lead the sectoral digital transformation agenda in line with Digital Transformation Strategy 2030.
• Overall, the focus of UNDP Moldova on integration of digital components across projects and sectors requires a coherent approach to ensure that the promise of digital transformation is fully harnessed across economic, social, and environmental domains. Therefore, the role of a Digital Integration Analyst is envisaged to be a horizontal function that will provide a cross-sectoral support to effectively embed the digital into policy and programmatic work of UNDP Moldova. The Digital Integration Analyst will also enable the UNDP Moldova to better harness the local digital ecosystem for more effective and efficient development assistance, while also advancing the internal UNDP Moldova digitalization priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Digital Integration Analyst will be responsible for implementing the global UNDP Digital Strategy 2022-2025, will lead the design and adoption of the “digital by default” approach in support of UNDP Moldova portfolios and will providing strategic and technical support across all programmatic and policy interventions of UNDP Moldova. More specifically, the Digital Integration Analyst will be responsible for:

Provision of Programmatic and Policy Support for Digital Transformation:

• Provide advisory services to UNDP Moldova teams, including Project teams, on coherent support to national digital transformation. In this sense, the Digital Integration Analyst will support the standardization of approaches, methodologies, and SOPs to guide digital programmatic and policy initiatives to ensure coherence across UNDP Moldova portfolios.
• Facilitate UNDP Moldova application of data and digital solutions in priority programmatic and policy areas where they can create significant impact.
• Analyze and research institutional and socio-economic landscape to inform digital transformation programmatic and policy interventions.
• Develop and refine concepts and proposals for digital transformation programmatic and policy interventions and initiatives, considering their interconnectedness with developmental areas.
• Drive the co-design of scalable programmatic and policy initiatives using data-driven approaches to enable evidence-based decision-making across UNDP Moldova portfolios.
• Support coordination with the UNDP Chief Digital Office.
• Drive Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods opportunities to enhance the national digital ecosystem.

Ensure Effective Project Management:

• Act as a.i. Project Manager for ‘Advancing Digital Governance’ Project, in particular for the roll-out of prioritized components of the Project before the funding for the entire Project is secured. In this regard, lead strategic planning, formulate and periodically revise the Projects’ annual work-plan (AWP) and budget, prepare procurement plans, guide Project team/s, etc.
• Provide inception phase management for new strategic digital initiatives that are not part of UNDP Moldova Projects. In this regard, supervise the roll out, implementation, effective realization of deliverables as well as ensure the proper execution of all administrative activities associated the implementation, including mobilizing goods and services, preparing Terms of Reference, completing contracting processes, recruiting/selecting consultants and experts, and managing financial arrangements/transactions and their correct authorization.
• Facilitate the onboarding process for digital teams that are part of UNDP Moldova Projects and provide them with resources, information and trouble-shooting advisory services.
• Provide direction, guidance to UNDP Moldova Project personnel dedicated to advance digital transformation. Undertake technical reviews of project documents to ensure high technical standards.
• Coordinate the activities of the Chief Digital Officers (CDOs) and ensure coherence of the digital interventions’ agenda of the line Ministries and optimal programmatic support of UNDP Moldova Projects.
• Coordinate the activities of the Intelligence Unit for Policy Development (IUPD) related to data governance for evidence-based decision-making and facilitate alignment with UNDP Moldova programmatic and policy interventions.
• Identify opportunities for synergies among the UNDP Moldova Projects to advance digital transformation.
• Coordinate the activities of national and international consultants recruited to provide technical expertise on advancing digital transformation and strengthen UNDP Moldova digital transformation products and services.

Ensure Results Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Apply results-based management tools, establish benchmarks, and monitor progress towards achieving UNDP Moldova’s objectives in digital transformation.
• Support organization’s learning on digital transformation and design and run capability-building sessions for UNDP Moldova personnel.
• Maintain a digital transformation progress map of UNDP Moldova and the region.
• Initiate systems for strategic planning, monitoring, and reporting to support evidence-based programming through the use of data.
• Substantively contribute to communications and visibility efforts in the area of digital transformation.
• Provide leadership and technical advice to the Projects in developing baselines and indicators for monitoring and evaluation results frameworks.
• Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting.
• Support the implementation of UNDP Moldova Project monitoring and results frameworks and evaluations; make course corrections to achieve results.
• Coordinate the preparation of corporate, donor, and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP Moldova and donor requirements.

Facilitate Resource mobilization, partnership development and communication:

• Explore and foster synergies with UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, and civil society to enhance the impact of digital transformation.
• Maintain and facilitate effective communication with public, national partners and among stakeholders, ensuring wide dissemination and visibility of UNDP Moldova achievements in digital transformation.
• Analyze and research information on relevant donors and contribute to UNDP Moldova resource mobilization efforts.
• Prepare thematic briefs on possible areas of cooperation with development partners and public stakeholders in the areas of data and digital governance.
• Provide thematic support to project teams and advise on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability, and synergies.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as a delegated liaison between UNDP and the partners.

Facilitate Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Keep abreast of UNDP global programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge through continuous learning, including in the areas of digital transformation and technological innovations for ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ digital transformation.
• Facilitate learning to support coherence of the national, regional and global digital portfolios and articulate new digital programmatic and policy offers to advance digital transformation.
• Promote information sharing with relevant partners by initiating and/or participating in consultative meetings and preparing briefs on Projects, initiatives and processes related to digital transformation.
• Promote the flow of information and resources between and among the various levels of stakeholders/beneficiaries to improve the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of UNDP Moldova digital transformation interventions and results.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, or related field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years with (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressive working experience (at the national or international level) in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sectorial development and/or ITC projects is required.
• Experience in coordination between different teams is required.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge and experience in thematic areas relevant to digital transformation, public services, private sector engagement, data knowledge, institutional development, etc. is required.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages and web-based management systems is required.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies, business development areas, and/or enhancement of public services is an asset.
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is an asset.
• Additional training and/or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, etc.) would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19875