Design and Digitalization Associate

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP has been working across Afghanistan for more than 50 years on challenges related to climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods and rule of law. Guided by the government and its Development Councils, our work is fully aligned with the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework and National Priority Programmes, and is carried out in close coordination with partner UN agencies under the One UN Framework. As the UN’s development network, we connect the Afghan government and people with the resources and information they need to drive their own development according to their own priorities, as well as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Context

Afghanistan is facing multiple crises such as COVID-19, the impacts of drought and floods, and rapidly increasing poverty and food insecurity. On top of this, since the return of the Taliban to power, after the 15th of August 2021 and given the increasing numbers of internally displaced people, the operational and programmatic context for UNDP in Afghanistan has changed significantly. The level of programmatic and institutional risk is now much higher and hence saving livelihoods is critical for reducing the demand for humanitarian aid and emergency relief. The gradual development progress made over the last 20 years, including gains in the achievement of human rights, education, gender equality, health, social protection, and livelihoods, are at risk of being lost, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. These factors not only impact the economy, human security, and social cohesion, but are potential drivers of further conflict and violent extremism. UNDP has contributed to the gradual expansion of development investments across the country. From this experience we have seen that neither a one-size-fits-all approach, nor a fragmented sector-based approach has been effective. An integrated, innovative, and highly flexible approach is needed, one that puts people first, targets the most vulnerable and meets local needs by focusing on saving livelihoods, the fundamental underpinning of UNDP’s Integrated Local Socio-Economic Recovery and Community Resilience building efforts. Project Description: UNDP has launched a “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project in 2024 to pilot and promote digital solutions for recovery in Afghanistan, aligning with UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan recognizing digitalization as a critical enabler, in collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners. The project builds on past digitalization, community empowerment, and inclusive economic development initiatives. It serves as a starting point for UNDP's longer-term objectives, including: · Analysing and aligning private sector workforce requirements with a pool of highly qualified personnel to strategically map skills and expertise. · Implementing digital courses for young individuals, providing them with practical skills in ICT and access to internship and job opportunities. · Promoting the startup ecosystem by creating an enabling environment for innovation, offering supportive infrastructure, resources, and networks to empower emerging businesses and contribute to overall entrepreneurial growth. The Design and Digitalization Associate will work in close coordination with the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project team and will be responsible for providing technical support to design and implement digital interventions within the project. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” Project Manager and in close collaboration with team members. The incumbent will also work closely with partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts, and civil society to help implement project activities in on promoting digital inclusion.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Design and Digitalization Associate will: • Support effective design and implementation of interventions within the UNDP “Digital Solutions for Recovery” project, focusing on the achievement of expected project results. • Map innovation solutions supporting the digitalization of businesses and employment opportunities to youth and women in Afghanistan. • Develop relevant supporting documents within the topics of innovation and digitalization that are applicable in the context of Afghanistan. • Provide recommendations on promotion of digital skills and knowledge of youth, women, and population of Afghanistan. • Map existing educational institutions, stakeholders, platforms, private sector companies interested in promoting digitalization and explore possible partnership. • Provision of targeted advisory services related to concrete measures or practical steps regarding the promotion of innovation, competitiveness, and digitalization of businesses and educational services. • Conduct monitoring of project implementation and maintain update of the project related monitoring systems. • Provision of substantive support to the implementation of project activities aimed at improving access for vulnerable groups/ private sector / civil society organizations to digital innovations in employment, entrepreneurship, innovative financing, and business continuity. • Provide support on conducting national/regional campaigns, launching initiatives, and publications, as well as conducting quarterly meetings with the digital sector stakeholders of the country. • Monitor initiatives related to internship, pitch session of startup initiatives, freelancing opportunities and other initiatives aimed to improve digital skills of youth. • Provide technical support on the implementation of digitalization activities in line with the project strategy including stakeholder consultation, and community participation. • Design digital interventions for youth and women, as well as improving the capacity of private sector companies. • Assess the existing digitalization and innovations at the community level practices in the target sites; assess to what extent these practices consider future climate change scenarios and improving the livelihood of the population. • Carry out a preliminary costing exercise along with a calculation of potential beneficiaries for potential digital initiatives. • Develop terms of references, articles and success stories related to digitalization and innovation. • Support to prepare capacity development materials on digitalization and innovation; provide technical support in conducting capacity building initiatives. • Regular visits will be required within selected project sites identified on digitalization. • Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.