Regional Digital Specialist

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP launched its first Digital Strategy in mid-2019 to harness digital transformation within the organization. Building on a long history of project-level digital support for partners, the strategy represented a systematic and corporate-driven transformation process to reimagine the way UNDP serves its partners and operates its systems and processes. The first Digital Strategy proved to be prescient given the incredible acceleration in digital transformation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP has changed significantly over the past two and a half years, developing new capabilities in digital programming, and strengthening its digital capabilities. UNDP will continue to accelerate these efforts in response to growing demand from partner governments. UNDP will also continue to support its development partners to ensure that the arc of future digital transformation protects human rights and leaves no one behind. The Digital Strategy 2022-2025 directly responds to and builds upon UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which highlights the critical role of digital technology in achieving development outcomes. In UNDP's Strategic Plan 2022-2025, digitalization is outlined as one of three key enablers – along with strategic innovation and development financing – that will drive UNDP’s efforts towards the 2030 agenda over the next four years. The Strategic Plan notes that digital is to be built into all dimensions of UNDP’s work, including in the programming of its six Signature Solutions. It also notes the need for UNDP to support its partners in holistic digital transformation efforts, to advocate for inclusive and responsible digital solutions for sustainable development, and to continue its digital transformation. 

The focus of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) is to help countries in the region build and share solutions in their sustainable development pathways, with inclusive and effective democratic governance, building climate and disaster resilience. Our goal is to strengthen capacities and provide an enabling environment for access to opportunities, focusing on the most vulnerable and excluded population groups – in ways that are sustainable from economic, social, and environmental standpoints. The Bureau works with governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to develop national and local capacities and building stronger institutions that offer quality services for their citizens, integrate environmental considerations into development plans and strategies, and effectively target policies to reduce poverty and provide social protection for those in need.

Inclusive digital transformation stands at the forefront of priorities for LAC. Frontier technologies (Artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Big data, The Metaverse, Bioprinting, Quantum computing) have the potential of drastically altering the labor market and the broader economic and social landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean. As they continue to advance, they present both transformative opportunities and challenges that could reshape the future of work within the region. Given this context, UNDP RBLAC through its Digital HUB is developing a series of actions as a response to the need of insuring a sustainable and equitable future for digital transformation in the region.

Scope of Work

This role will be a pivotal position to provide effective digital policy and programmatic support and coordination of digital initiatives across the RBLAC region. It will lead LAC’s Digital Hub 4 Development, which aims to serve as a regional centralized entity driving and mainstreaming digitalization within the LAC region. Its core mission is to strategically articulate, cultivate, and expedite UNDP's digital objectives, initiatives, supporting Country Offices and Governments to accelerate digital transformation in the region.

The position will work with country offices across the region to ensure th