Digital Innovation Officer (NPSA-8)

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SED) is an integrated portfolio of projects that addresses issues affecting the lives of vulnerable groups of people on the ground in a holistic and cross-disciplinary manner, aiming at the sustainable economic growth and sustainable livelihoods of people of the country. UNDP SED Cluster supports localization and operationalization of the SDGs and the implementation of Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy 2030 and Mid-Term Development Programmes. The mission of UNDP SED Cluster is to support achievement of the CPD Outcome 2 in terms of promoting decent and productive employment, improved access to specialized knowledge and innovation and more favorable business environment especially for entrepreneurs and farmers.

UNDP within its SED Cluster focuses on improving livelihood and improved local governance – and substantially contributes to other areas addressing development challenges related to health system strengthening, crises prevention and recovery, as well as energy and environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Digital Innovation Officer will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients. More specifically, will be responsible for provision of support for Digital Innovation in SED Cluster projects, capacity development for effective promotion of digital innovations, knowledge management, innovation promotion, communication and partnership.

Summary of Key Functions:

Support for Digital Innovation in SED Cluster projects
Capacity development for effective promotion of digital innovations
Communication, knowledge management and visibility
Collaboration and partnership

The Digital Innovation Officer will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients. More specifically, will be responsible for the following:

Support for Digital Innovation in SED Cluster projects:

Scale innovations by working to expand existing and future digital initiatives throughout UNDP;
Help identify, develop and test digital innovations within UNDP SED cluster, leveraging ideas generated by the SED team and other innovation stakeholders;
Assess use cases and internal processes in order to identify innovation opportunities aligned with UNDP digital strategy and innovative solutions offered by SED projects;
Coach teams working on innovations during ideation and product design;
Support teams working on innovations on key decisions regarding product features and technology options;
Support SED team with implementation of activities aimed at development of innovative solutions
Support digital and innovative product testing and improvements as required;
Provide specific support for the testing and scaling of ‘fast track’ digital initiatives in UNDP
Lead digital innovation projects/activities, as assigned by the supervisor.
Provide analysis of the digital innovative context in the country and content preparation for corporate priority topics.

Capacity development for effective promotion of digital innovations:

Assess the capacities of project stakeholders and beneficiaries for introducing digital transformation solutions and innovative practices to leverage the development impact;
Prepare reports on results of capacity assessment, develop capacity building plan and implement the activities based on it;
Support and implement design thinking workshops, digital innovation events, and other activities as required;
Support digital innovators across UNDP in frontier technologies and digital innovation processes;
Work to create conditions for a culture of innovation and strengthen this competency amongst UNDP stakeholders;
Deliver relevant capacity building support to project beneficiaries, including surveys, trainings, technical advice and other required support.
Assess the knowledge and skills of salespersons of One Village and One Product Association, analyze their needs for capacity development, design proper training packages on innovation and digitalization for them and implement;
Provide guidance and support to the implementing partners, business development service providers and entrepreneurs’ organizations on marketing, improving quality of products and packaging.
Communicate with local and international digital innovation companies and practicians to identify opportunities for promotion of digital innovation among the project beneficiaries;
Ensure proper monitoring and reporting on digital innovation activities and provide recommendations to project team and management for improvement of the project strategies and plans.

Communication, knowledge management and visibility:

Support the SED project team, partners and beneficiaries with development of comprehensive and realistic communication approach on digital innovations;
Provide consultative and substantive assistance in development and producing knowledge products, such as case studies, success stories, lessons learnt reports, press releases and etc.
Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements in related sphere;
Identify and compile success stories, lessons leant and project achievements and manage knowledge sharing among interested parties;
Capture the knowledge products accumulated by SED cluster and ensure proper dissemination and knowledge management;
Constant self-learning and familiarization on best international practices through participation in knowledge and learning events organized by UNDP and other partners;
Facilitate the sharing of best practices.

Collaboration and partnership:

Work collaboratively in a team environment with other colleagues in UNDP CO, UNDP SED, UNDP LIICs as well as project stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of project activities, project knowledge and experience exchange;
Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to relevant donors.
Establish and maintain excellent working relations with national and sub-national government partners and civil society institutions;
When requested by supervisor take part in meetings and events organized by UNDP and/or other partners, including government, on topics relevant to TOR scope and inform supervisor on results of meetings;
Support in preparation and organization of project-related meetings, workshops, communication events, etc.
Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken of collection and submission of the reports to respective partners.

Institutional Arrangement

The Digital Innovation Officer is expected to support implementation of project activities as assigned by and under direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager / Economic Development Advisor. The Digital Innovation Officer collaborates with UNDP relevant staff both in UNDP Country office in Dushanbe, Staff of Sustainable Economic Development Cluster of UNDP as well as Local Innovation and Implementation Centers to promote innovative culture and digital transformation for UNDP DSR and other projects.

Required skills and competencies

Core Competencies (Level 1)
Achieve Results

Demonstrate focus on achieving quality results and impact
Consistently strive to meet or exceed excellence standards
Hold self and others accountable for results
Efficiently establish appropriate plans and resources for self and others to accomplish goals

Think Innovatively

Look beyond conventional approaches and established methods
Propose new ideas, approaches and solutions to problems
Seek patterns and clarity outside boxes and categories while resisting false certainty and simplistic binary choice

Learn Continuously

Actively pursue opportunities for learning and self-development professionally and personally
Keep abreast of new developments in one’s professional area
Proactively seek feedback, demonstrates a desire to learn from others as well as from experiences, both positive and negative
Contribute to the learning of others

Adapt with Agility

Be flexible in handling change, and adopt new ideas, approaches and ways of working
Seamlessly adapt to working within new situations or contexts, with new people, and in different ways
Participate in, support, contribute to or drive meaningful change in UNDP
Be comfortable with ambiguity and effectively managing multiple demands

Act with Determination

Pursue everything with motivation and drive
Not give up in the face of adversity and setbacks; demonstrate resilience and composure
Demonstrate courage, self-motivation and initiative to act on opportunities without being prompted by others
Be authentic and modest, get things done without unnecessary noise

Engage and Partner

Act in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others
Demonstrate and encourage teamwork and co-creation internally and externally to achieve joint objectives and results
Establish and develop networks that deliver powerful collaborations
Encourage and respect the views of others; accept views and ideas other than one’s own

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

Treat all individuals with respect, consider ethical implications and respond sensitively to all differences among people
Fully accept and value all people, creating an inclusive environment
Understand that inclusion is multi-faceted (e.g. race, gender, age, disability, culture, etc.)
Understand and appreciate issues from the perspective of others
Treat everyone fairly and equally
Demonstrate honesty and transparency

Corporate Competencies (Level 1)

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Ensures consistency of the implementation with UN/UNDP values
Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility
Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions

Functional Competencies (Level 1)

Knowledge Management and Learning

Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to promote a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example,
Ability to advocate and provide top quality Climate Change Adaptation advisory services with options for solutions on related issues,
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues,
Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting,
Ability to develop innovative approaches to program design, implementation, monitoring evaluation of development programmes and projects,
Ability to mobilize resources and use in a cost-effective manner,
Ability to work under minimal supervision,
Ability to prioritize and complete tasks based on their urgency,

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented,
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation,
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills,
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude,
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills,
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities,
Proactive and have the ability to discuss openly with all senior and technical government staff,
Results-oriented and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment,
Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions,
Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment,
Highly developed inter-cultural communication and skills

Desired additional skills and competencies

Understanding of development context and work experience with international development agencies is an added advantage.
Affinity with the mandate and role of the United Nations
Ability to generate new and original solutions to complex problems and to use human-centered design and systems thinking methodologies for problem-solving.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in fields related to Digital Science, Technologies, Electronic Science, Automated Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, Innovation Management or equivalent.
Bachelors’ degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the Master’s degree

Experience:

2 years of professional experience in innovation and digital management or implementation, experience working closely with government and non-governmental counterparts, with Bachelors’ degree.
Proven knowledge of technology innovations (e.g. programming and coding, mobile apps, blockchain, artificial intelligence, etc.)
Working knowledge of cloud computing, business intelligence and analytics
Proven track record in delivery of projects in the spheres of innovative businesses, digital solutions for development, start-ups, etc.

Required Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English, Tajik and Russian

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.