Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information and data science, economics, public policy, business administration, or related fields.
Experience:
A minimum of ten (10) years with Master’s degree and twelve (12) years with Bachelor’s degree, of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: digital technologies research, development and application, digital technologies strategic partnerships and communication; including at least 5 years at the international level;
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in digital development, including capacity building and technical assistance; digital technologies and their applications to support sustainable development at the international level;
Experience in programme management at the field level;
Experience in digital development with private sector actors would be desirable;
Experience with programme strategy development and implementation would be an asset;
Experience working in the African context on issues relevant for this position would be desirable;
Experience working with UN agencies, development partners and actors on digital development would be an asset;
Previous experience with a multilateral or UN organization is a strong asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English both oral and written, is required. Working knowledge of French language is an asset;
Knowledge of additional UN languages would be an asset.
Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
The Digital Partnership Adviser will be responsible for supporting the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa in its efforts to leverage digital development in pursuit of the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 in Africa, by providing advisory and technical support services to UNDP Country Offices in Africa, implement the Project Initiation Plan on Africa Leading the 4IR and developing UNDP RBA Digital Strategy and Programmatic Offer that is supported by a robust multi-stakeholder digital collaborative.
1. Strategic and technical advice to the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa:
Leads analysis on global and regional trends and dynamics in the digital economy and advises RBA on how these potentially impact the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063 in the African continent;
Provides strategic advice to RBA’s leadership on issues relating to digital transformation and its potential impact in helping accelerate progress towards attaining the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 in the Africa region, with a view of positioning RBA as a thought leader in the digital development space;
Supports the development of RBA’s Digital Strategy and Programmatic Offer that is supported by a robust multi-stakeholder digital collaborative;
Seeks opportunities for engagement in the digital economy and advises RBA’s leadership on how to leverage its programme in the African continent to promote digital development for the SDGs;
Advises RBA HQ teams and RBA’s regional hubs on how to mainstream digital technologies in regional programmatic initiatives, including in the work of the Africa Borderlands Center;
Provides support with the development of briefing notes and talking points on digital technologies and their impact on sustainable development in Africa, as needed.
2. Programme and policy support:
Provides support to RBA Country Offices with analysis on regional and country trends and dynamics in the digital economy and advises them on their potential impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063 at the country level, including in the context of the preparation of the UN Common Country Assessments (CCAs);
Upon request, provides programme and policy support to Country Offices on how to leverage digital development in support of the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 at country level, including the UNDP Country Programme Documents (CPDs);
Upon request, supports Country Offices on strategic partnerships, at country level, for leveraging digital opportunities to support the achievement of the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063.
3. Programme management:
Leads the implementation of the RBA Project Initiation Plan on Africa Leading the 4IR and the subsequent development of UNDP RBA Digital Strategy and Programmatic Offer;
Supports the design and implementation of RBA programmatic initiative that will stem from the implementation of the PiP on Africa Leading the 4IR;
Ensure timely financial and progress reporting and communication of results;
Provides support with the development of briefing notes and talking points on related to the implementation of the RBA Project Initiation Plan on Africa Leading the 4IR and the subsequent development of UNDP RBA Digital Strategy and Programmatic Offer.
4. Partnership, communication and resource mobilization:
Positions UNDP as the partner of choice for actors in the digital space and elsewhere (e.g. donors, development partners) seeking to support efforts to leverage digital development for the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 in Africa;
Fosters and supports the development of strategic partnerships with leading global and regional actors in the digital space, including in the private sectors, philanthropies, think tanks and academia in support of RBA’s efforts to leverage digital development for the SDGs;
Supports partnerships with regional institutions, including the AUC, the RECs and others, to develop regional policy frameworks promoting the responsible uptake of the 4IR in the continent and conduct regional analyses and joint advocacy;
Supports RBA’s leadership to leverage resources for regional and country-level initiatives that drive the update of digital technologies for sustainable development;
Effectively networks with key actors in the digital development space seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda, with a focus on Africa;
Closely liaises with other RBA units and regional and sub-regional offices, as well as with other bureaus in UNDP to identify opportunities for partnership engagement and development in and for the Africa region in the area of digital development;
Liaise with UNDP’s Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy to ensure full alignment with UNDP corporate partnerships policies and strategies;
Externally represents RBA on matters pertaining to digital development for the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063;
Participates in wider UN agency digital development fora, serving as RBA’s digital development liaison and coordinator of digital development priorities.
5. Knowledge management and capacity development:
Contributes to the positioning of RBA as a thought leader in the digital economy and its impact on sustainable development in the African continent.
Based on existing analytical frameworks and tools, and in support of the programme cycle, develops trainings to support country analysis of digital development opportunities which support SDGs outcomes;
In collaboration with regional and country office advisors and managers, assesses and support digital development capacities and expertise in RBA, as it relates to supporting public and private digital development strategic plans and investments for the SDGs;
Contributes to RBA and UNDP corporate knowledge base on digital technologies and their impact on the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063, including through the development of knowledge products, analyses, lessons learned and by actively participating in UNDP Community of Practice/s;
Supports the establishment of a knowledge and information-sharing network between RBA and its regional and country offices on digital development and the SDGs;
Supports UNDP efforts to research and advance technical thought leadership and practice on digital development for the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063;
Advances knowledge and best practices in digital development with other UNDP bureaus and UN agencies;
Fosters knowledge sharing and learning between RBA, key research institutions, think tanks, as well as the UNDP Global Policy Network, with the aim of creating an enabling environment that inspires sharing and exchange of knowledge, information, and resources on digital development;
Supports UNDP country office’s capacity development and knowledge sharing work with national counterparts by drawing on experiences on digital development and offering services, instruments and potential solutions to key government counterparts across Africa.
Job Requirements
Required education
Required relevant work experience
Required languages:
