Data & Digital Innovation Analyst

Background

As the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System, UNDP serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its work is carried out at the HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forming a contiguous spectrum of local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), which acts as its network of technical expertise on a wide range of knowledge domains.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS)  develops the policy guidance needed to meet the targets of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and is responsible for providing technical advice to Country Offices, advocating for UNDP corporate messages, representing UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, and engaging in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. Moreover, it works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau to support emergency and crisis response, ensuring that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes.

As one of the six Global Policy Centres managed by BPPS, and following an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and UNDP signed in Nov 2009, the Seoul Policy Center (USPC) was established in 2011 as the UNDP Seoul Policy Center for Global Development Partnerships. The Center’s functions and activities were set out to include: (1) Serving as the immediate interface with the Government on all aspects relating to the evolving ROK–UNDP partnership; (2) Serving as a knowledge center for comparative experiences and approaches of new development partners in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development; and (3) Facilitating and promoting learning, networking, policy dialogue and consultation among new development partners, while contributing to capacity development in developing countries. 

USPC’s profile has continued to evolve since its inception and the current triennial work programme (2023-25) further augments the Centre’s role as the facilitator of global knowledge exchange and the country-level application of innovative and tested-and-proven development solutions for the achievement of the SDGs. This is achieved through the flagship programme known as the ‘SDG Partnerships,’ which it complements through programmatic, partnership, and policy activities in the following substantive areas: (i) Development Cooperation Approaches and Modalities; (ii) Governance and Gender (including a focus on Anti-corruption and SGBV); (iii) Green Recovery and Transition (including a focus on Sustainable Forestry); and (iv) Private Sector Engagement and Development. 

Against this backdrop, the development cooperation team is expected to provide support to the existing thematic portfolios of USPC through: 

1. Facilitating innovative multi-bi projects with Korean partners, which are funded through contributions from bilateral donors to multilateral organizations that are earmarked for specific development purposes (e.g., (sub-) regions, countries, sectors, or themes)
2. Contributing to partnership development between the ROK and UNDP
3. Conducting and disseminating policy research on development cooperation issues, especially on development policy of the ROK, effective development cooperation, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), and green as well as digital ODA
4. Support the growing work of USPC and UNDP in development cooperation on technology and innovation issues, including by optimising UNDP’s own digital capabilities to better support partners

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be working directly under the supervision of the Centre’s Development Cooperation Policy Specialist.

The Data & Digital Innovation Analyst, under the supervision of the Policy Specialist and in partnership with other members of USPC and the GPN network, will support these aspects of the development cooperation portfolio with a particular focus on digital solutions and tools.

Data-driven Solutions and Digital Innovation 

• Develop and refine data pipelines, microservices, and automated workflows to address development challenges and opportunities
• Create data-driven intelligence tools to provide actionable insights that inform policy, programme design and resource allocation
• Document and share technical best practices, standards, and workflows to enable replication and scaling within UNDP and partner institutions
• Organize briefings or demonstrations to highlight successful pilots and their potential 

Partnership Development and Technical Advisory 

• Support the development and implementation of partnerships focused on digital innovation in development cooperation
• Provide technical advisory during partner consultations and project design
• Contribute to the adaptation of Korean digital solution for developing country contexts
• Support the preparation of technical components for partnership proposals
• Assist in organizing technical capacity-building workshops and knowledge sharing events

Knowledge Management and Innovation 

• Identify opportunities for improving development cooperation through digital innovation
• Support research and analysis on digital transformation in development cooperation
• Contribute to policy briefs and knowledge products on digital innovation
• Assist in documenting best practices and lessons learned
• Support overall efforts to streamline USPC's project and knowledge management systems

Other Support Work 

• Support outreach and communications activities on relevant USPC activities
• Support other administrative processes such as but not limited to internship selection

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy:   

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Partnership management    

• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Digital     

• Data governance: Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies

Digital & Innovation    

• Prototyping: Ability to make ideas tangible, at low costs early in the innovation process, to test and improve them through iteration. Using a ""build first"" approach, using visualising ideas and making things as a way of thinking. Ability to define what fidelity level is required for a test, define prototyping goals, or a hypotheses; evaluate results against these goals and reflect on unanticipated learning outcomes. Using prototypes to communicate a vision, develop shared understanding and create momentum around an idea.

Digital    

• Data engineering: Ability in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, International Relations, Environmental Policy, and/or Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Information Systems, Physics, Language Science or any other relevant field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree. 

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two years of professional experience  in software development, data management, digital solutions, digital policy or related fields, preferably in a public sector or international organization context.

Required skills:

• Experience in large-scale data analysis related to development cooperation.
• Experience in designing digital systems or platforms in the context of development cooperation

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Technical expertise
  • Experience conceptualizing and building data-centric prototypes 
  • Experience setting up ETL/ELT processes for collecting, cleaning, and organizing development cooperation data
  • Experience with natural language processing and their integration
• ICT sector knowledge
  • Experience working with public and private sector 
  • Knowledge of digital transformation in development contexts
  • Understanding about ICT ecosystem and key stakeholders
• Development sector knowledge
  • Experience working with international organizations or development projects
  • Experience in capacity building and knowledge transfer
  • Familiarity with development cooperation and Korean development policies

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Korean is required. 
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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