Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:
- Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as โinternalโ candidates)ย ย
- Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contractsย
- Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Office/Unit/Project Descriptionย
UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations.ย Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the worldโs biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world.ย Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 โ 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues.ย The strategy lays out UNDPโs ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind.
In line with UNDPโs strategic commitment to remain at the forefront of development innovation and transformation, a new organizational structure โ the Digital, AI and Innovation Hub โ has been established within BPPS, effective 2 April 2025. This Hub consolidates the Chief Digital Office (CDO), Accelerator Labs, Strategic Innovation Unit (SIU), and selected elements of the SDG Integration team into a unified platform.
The Hub builds on years of foundational investment in digital transformation, grassroots innovation and data-driven development. It is designed to enhance coherence across programmes, strengthen organizational learning, and improve operational efficiency. Most importantly, it will serve as the central point of contact for governments and development partners seeking support on digital and systems transformation, working in close collaboration with regional bureau, country offices, and global policy teams.
Project Description
The Digital Capacity Lab (DCL) at the UNDP Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub is committed to supporting UN agencies and governments in navigating their digital transformation journeys. By identifying capacity gaps, designing context-specific training programs, and building strategic partnerships, the Lab empowers stakeholders to embrace digital solutions effectively.ย
ย To further these goals, we seek an AI Capacity Building Specialist who combines digital and AI expertise with strong behavioural and interpersonal skills to develop impactful learning journeys, engage with diverse stakeholders, ensure alignment with government needs, and lead capacity-building initiatives. The position will also focus on partnerships and fundraising to sustain and expand the Labโs impact.ย
Scope of Workย
User Research and Needs Assessment
- Lead qualitative and quantitative research across selected country contexts to identify government AI capacity gaps and digital transformation priorities.
Design and Customization of AI Sprint Content
Translate user needs into tailored AI Sprint training content and country-specific interventions. Ensure content reflects local contexts, integrates adult learning principles, and emphasizes hands-on, practical application. Collaborate with AI experts and partners to validate content and align with international best practices.Sprint Delivery and Facilitation
Manage and facilitate high-impact AI Sprint sessions in selected countries, using both in-person and digital delivery formats. Utilize collaborative tools and agile facilitation techniques to drive engagement and learning. Monitor participant feedback and adapt delivery for continuous improvement across countries.Project Management and Coordination
Oversee planning, implementation, and reporting of the AI Sprint across all participating countries. Coordinate timelines, stakeholder engagement, and logistics in close collaboration with country offices and global partners. Ensure delivery is on time, within scope, and aligned with strategic objectives.Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization
Engage with UN agencies, donors, academic partners, and the private sector to build strategic partnerships. Contribute to the development of funding proposals to scale AI Sprint activities and secure long-term support. Actively engage in relevant forums on behalf of the AI Sprint and DCL to enhance visibility and attract resources.Strategic Communications and Advocacy
Support the creation of compelling communications materialsโcase studies, blogs, and success storiesโhighlighting impact from each country. Advocate for AI capacity-building as a core enabler of inclusive digital transformation and SDG delivery. Disseminate learnings and results across global and regional platforms.Cross-Team Coordination within CDO and knowledge sharingย
Act as the central coordination point between the AI Capacity Building team and other units involved in the initiative (e.g. AILA, Data, AI Hub etc.)ย Ensure alignment of messaging, technical inputs, and strategic direction across teams. Facilitate regular touchpoints, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration to leverage synergies and maintain coherence across all workstreams supporting the AI Sprint. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issuesย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The AI Capacity Building Specialist will report to the Digital Capacity Building Lead within the Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub.
Competencies Core
Cross Functional & Technical Competenciesย
Digitalย ย
Artificial intelligence thought leadership: Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in AI, along with their social, ethical, and economic implications, including data privacy and human rights. Ability to engage with industry experts, government representatives, and academics to stay updated on latest trends and to form partnerships. Creative facilitation: Ability to design workshops that considers and addresses multiple interests, agendas, worldviews; set out clear objectives and engaging activities; select appropriate tools, materials, resources that are needed to enable or support the activities. Ability to swiftly build rapport with participants and create a safe space (on- and offline) where they feel comfortable to share their views, concerns, experiences and reflections, supporting this with a range of tools to stimulate active participation. Ability to facilitate inclusive conversations, ability to work with a diverse set of people with different backgrounds, seniority and expert levels, using different approaches tailored to fit the people in the room, drawing out the perspectives and ideas of each individual and making decisions through deliberation and discussion across a group.ย User-centred design, user research, user testing: Knowledge of user-centred design methodologies and ability to apply them practicallyยBusiness Management
Project management: Ability to plan, organza, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goalsย Partnerships management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policiesHR โ Learning and development
L&D design: Knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, learning styles, and learning programmes delivery modalities; ability to identify and design effective learning paths, programmes and initiatives.Business Direction and Strategy ย
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.Required Skills and Experienceย
Min. Education requirements
ย Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Education, Innovation, Business Management, Psychology, Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degreeMin. years of relevant work experience
A minimum of 5 years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of experience working in digital transformation projects in the private or non-profit sector is required.ยRequired skills
Demonstrated experience in creating and delivering learning content Demonstrated experience in user research and/or needs assessments Demonstrated experience in project management.Desired skillsย
Demonstrated knowledge of the latest trends in technology innovations (e.g., emerging technology, artificial intelligence, etc.) is desiredย Demonstrated experience interacting with and steering stakeholders and partnerships across sectors is desired. Demonstrated experience in capturing and synthesizing information on an ongoing basis to produce analysis and recommendations is desired. Experience working with the UN or other large scale development organizations is desired.Required Language(s)
Fluency in English is required.ย Working knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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