Digitalization Analyst [Open to internal and external applicants]

Background

The Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Financial Resources Management (BMS/OFRM) supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the implementation of the 2030 agenda and UNDP’s Strategic Plan. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitating UN reform and coherence. The primary role of BMS/ OFRM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing functional leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of sound financial policies and practices, oversight of corporate financial management performance, and flexible scalable support to resource allocation. BMS/OFRM serves as a business partner to Bureaux and Country Offices, providing sound financial management, advisory and analytical services, with a view to continuously improve the financial management performance of business units and support Bureaux in the exercising of their oversight functions. 

Within OFRM, the Treasury Division oversees cash, currency and banking risks globally in over 130 countries and over 100 currencies, managing the organization’s liquidity with centralized investment of excess cash balances to meet its liabilities. Treasury Division maintains policy and oversight of global payments and receivables, cash management, manages banking relationships, compliance, and KYC.  The Treasury Division safeguards UNDP’s financial assets and ensures efficient, transparent global payments supporting programme delivery. As digital technologies transform global finance, Treasury is accelerating modernization to enhance speed, cost efficiency, transparency, and automation.

Position Purpose

The current global trend in digital transformation focuses on automating business processes to enhance efficiency and optimize service delivery. With an increasing emphasis on digital and innovative payments, organizations are aiming for streamlined operations, better customer experiences, and strategic use of data analytics. Technical knowledge in bank connectivity, ISO standards, global trends of efficient instant payments, and regulatory compliance is essential to navigate the evolving landscape and ensure secure and effective payment solutions.  The Digitalization Analyst will drive the transformation of business processes through digitalization efforts that foster innovation, automation, and overall efficiency improvements. The role encompasses developing strategies for integrating global trends on domestic and cross-border payments, digital payment solutions and ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulations.   

The Digitalization Analyst supports Treasury’s shift toward digitally enabled payment operations, including the implementation of mobile payments, instant payments, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), purchasing/prepaid cards, business process automation with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), AI-driven optimization, and acts as backup for Quantum (UNDP’s Oracle ERP) / FIS (banking software) static data management.  The following are the key duties and accountabilities.  The incumbent performs other duties which make part of this role explicitly open-ended as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support Treasury Digital Transformation Strategy

• Contribute to alignment with UNDP Digital Strategy.
• Conduct targeted research on mobile payments, instant payment systems, CBDCs, purchasing/prepaid cards to inform implementation decisions and ensure alignment with industry standards.
• Contribute to UNDP’s efforts in achieving faster, cheaper, and more transparent domestic and cross-border payment transactions, driven by the G20 Roadmap and adoption of ISO 20022 standards.
• Prepare technical briefs, training materials, and guidance notes.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and standards and stay up-to-date on relevant laws and regulations affecting digital transactions.
• Ensure all digital solutions comply with ISO standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance related to data security and user privacy. 
• Support knowledge sharing, training sessio