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Specialist in Digitalization Strategy and Artificial Intelligence, NPSA-10

Belgrade

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Belgrade
  • Grade: Mid level - NPSA-10, National Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: 2024-05-22

Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
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.

 

Over the past 10 years, Serbia has made progress in modernizing its strategic and regulatory framework to support development of the information society. With digital transformation of the national economy and public administration high on the government's agenda, Serbia now has a good chance for future-proofing its administration's capabilities for rapid deployment of cost-effective, secure and citizen-focused services, and coordinated implementation of ICT policies. 

 

Significant strides have been made since the establishment of the central Office for IT and e-Government (ITE) in 2017. This institution has exceeded initial expectations, showcasing the government's capability to deliver effective and efficient services. Its ongoing development and successes have laid a strong foundation for the digital transformation of Serbia, demonstrating a committed and sustained effort towards enhancing the nation's information society and digital economy.

 

Serbia was the first country in the region to develop and adopt the Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy  for the period 2020-2025 (hereinafter AI strategy) and to established the Institute for AI. The Institute should lead the development of AI and provide the ground for rapid development of innovations and start up ecosystem and attract the new investment. 

 

This project aims to support the efforts to build internal capacities of the ITE by establishing an AI implementation unit to strengthen and shape the nascent AI ecosystem in Serbia and improve collaboration among public and private sector and academia. The AI implementation unit seeks to underpin the institutional and legal frameworks for AI, secure effective coordination and monitoring of the AI strategy and assist other institutions in introducing AI use cases in priority sectors (medicine, energy, telecommunications, transport/mobility, smart cities, education, agriculture, justice/ethics, security, environment, public administration). Thus, the project aims at enhancing the digital transformation of Serbia’s economy, in particular through increasing human capital, enhancing the regulatory framework and implementing innovative solutions.


 
Duties and Responsibilities

The Specialist in Digitalization Strategy and Artificial Intelligence will be recruited locally and selected based on an open competitive process relying on principles of independence and objectivity. They will be responsible for:

 

  • Conducting a comprehensive diagnosis of the digital maturity level within the ITE and benchmarking best practices in digitalization in the context of public administration.

 

  • Designing a comprehensive and integrated vision for the AI strategy within ITE. Turn the strategic vision of the National 2030 AI Strategy into an operational roadmap for the deployment of the Ministry’s digitalization projects, both at the central administration level and at the level of supervised entities.

 

  • Design and implementation of the digitalization strategy for the Serbian AI ecosystem: based on the key projects agreed upon as part of the National 2030 AI Strategy, the Specialist will outline the strategic vision for digitalization and the mechanisms for its operational deployment.

 

  • Technical and functional specifications: establish technical and functional specifications for Digital Transformation projects agreed in the AI Strategy following a proactive approach open to technological breakthroughs in digitalization to stay in line with the best international standards.

 

  • Capacity building: In a strategic and operational approach, the Specialist will identify areas requiring capacity building of public administration and public sector personnel involved to ensure the adoption of new technologies in the digital field:
  1. Artificial Intelligence
  2. Virtual and Augmented Realities
  3. Robotics and Cobotics
  4. Sensors and IoT (Internet of Things)

      This capacity building will mainly be achieved through the coordination of a result- and deliverable-centered partner ecosystem,   analyzing subcontractor offers (services, budget, human resources, contracts, etc.), and controlling the efficiency of achievements and deliverables.

 

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

 

 Institutional Arrangement

 

The Specialist will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Specialist – Team Leader Good Governance.

 

 
Competencies

 
Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 
 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition Digital & Innovation

Digital ecosystems 

 

Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society 

 

Digital & Innovation

Systems thinking & transformation 

 

Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach. 

Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue. 

Ability to develop a collective understanding by a mapping systems and their dynamics (e.g. flows or

resources, information; power relations); is able to handle ambiguity and can help others navigate it. 

Being able to identify intervention points to leverage change and system transformation by setting out a coherent collection of multiple interventions to probe the system for desirable effects. 

Understand that change is non-linear and unpredictable; being comfortable and able to work with emergence.

Digital & Innovation Data literacy

Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. 

Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.

Digital & Innovation Data privacy and digital ethics

Knowledge of ethical usage of digital technology (e.g. AI, robotics, automation) and data. Ability to assess ethical implications when using, combining or sharing data, when building or implementing AI systems, and when advising on robotisation and automation etc. Ability to design privacy protocols to ensure data is protected and used for legitimate purposes without unnecessary privacy risks. 

 

Business Management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfullygrasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed 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 other parts of the system. Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making Ability to make decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise, and resources.
 
 
 
 
Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in artificial intelligence, physics, mathematics, data science or equivalent 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:
  • Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience in the field of digitalization, development of projects in technologies related to the digital transformation of institutions in the public sectors in Serbia and internationally

Required skills:

  • Solid experience in gender-sensitive management of teams, coordination, and partnership building with a variety of social, professional, and institutional actors;
  • Deep knowledge of disruptive technology solutions.
  • Mastery of planning and monitoring-evaluation methods and tools (Results-based management, TCO, Cost Benefit Analysis, aspects of digitalization and data governance, etc.);
  • Leadership combined with good teamwork, organization, and management skills;
  • Expertise in managing risks associated with digital transformation projects;
  • Experience in leading change in large-scale transformation projects;
  • Dynamism, rigor, and proactive approach

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

  • Demonstrated experience in leading complex negotiations and collaborations with international and institutional partners;
  • Proven track record of experience in initiating and executing technology-driven strategies and innovations within governmental frameworks.
  • Experienced in establishing and enhancing educational and research infrastructures aligned with technological advancements

 

Required Language(s) 

  • Fluency in Serbian and English is required

 

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application. 

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

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.

 

Disclaimer

 
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: 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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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