Strategy and Planning Lead - IPSA 11

Are you ready to put your digital knowledge and skills to work in solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges?

Emerging and future digital technologies are one of the most profound drivers of change globally. Recognizing that these technologies bring both opportunities to accelerate progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as presenting challenges to development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been undergoing an organization-wide digital transformation since 2019.  UNDP’s digital transformation seeks to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet. 

UNDP is the development arm of United Nations.  Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s 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.  Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues.  The strategy lays out UNDP’s 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.  These aims are supported by the transformation of our internal, operational systems and building an agile, digitally capable workforce.

Incumbent will lead a key part of delivering on UNDP’s digital strategy and will work closely with teams across the headquarters, regional bureau and country office levels of the organization to support delivery of our current digital strategy.

Further, this role is responsible for the strategic thinking and collaboration required to design and implement further iterations of the digital strategy and digital operating model. 

1.  Lead the content, communication, and reporting of the digital strategy:

• Ensure Design with leads and practitioners to support prioritization of initiatives
• Ensure strategic direction in lead-team forum
• Ensure strategic narrative both internally and externally
• Lead development of capability, product, and service value propositions
• Lead on reporting on strategic progress and outcome delivery
• Substantially contribute to resource mobilization and partnerships approach
• Promote the overall team value proposition

1. Lead the design and execution of any required operating model changes:

• Manage capability mapping and gap analysis
• Ensure target state mapping and supporting lead team members to achieve this target state (regarding desired team size, recruitment, progression, coaching)
• Provide any required financial analysis 

1. Lead the design and execution of any delivery model changes, including:

• Provide  guidance and coaching regarding team methodologies and ways of working (to increase efficiency and efficacy of execution), including agile approaches where appropriate
• Ensure portfolio (programme and project) methodology guidance and prioritization models
• Ensure internal (to the digital team) change processes and methodology

1. Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP.

• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned.

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

1. Institutional Arrangement

The position will report into Chief Digital Officer,  Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.
 

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Arts,Marketing & Communications, Advertising, Design, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degreein the areas mentioned above,  in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) and 9 years (with bachelor’s degree)  of professional work experience designing and leading enterprise and sector-wide change programs, including  experience in managing teams responsible for implementing transformation initiatives is required.

• Experience and strong understanding of digital technologies
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated experience in  capturing  and synthesizing information on an ongoing basis to produce analysis and recommendations.
• Experience in excellent project management and execution skills to drive complex and ambiguous topics.

• Demonstrated experience in human-centered design methodologies, with a track record of leading large teams in applying contemporary design principles in both public and private sectors. 
• Demonstrated ability to receive positive client and team feedback for design work.
• Proven experience in providing coaching and facilitation at the executive and board level in human-centered design.;
• Extensive experience in a consulting environment, with progression to senior-level roles
• Strong track record of practical implementation of new thinking, working methodologies, and approaches to achieve tangible results, such as digital strategy development and customer-centered and agile transformation.

• Fluency in  English is required.  
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous. 

              Travel:  

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

b) Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions