Safe Digital Environment Enabling Specialist

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.

NDP’s Strengthening and Electoral Processes Project has been supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan in realizing its mandate of conducting free, fair, and transparent elections since 2012. The core objective of the project is to strengthen ECP’s institutional capacity through capacity development initiatives, organization of inclusive multi[1]stakeholder dialogues to develop consensus on electoral reforms, undertaking public outreach including civic and voter education, and enhancing the effectiveness of ECP’s wings dealing with trainings, gender and inclusivity, and research and development (among others). The project also works with national and provincial assemblies with a focus on increasing the capacities of parliamentarians, enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary caucuses, and strengthening linkages between parliamentarians and their constituents to inform policy making and legislation.

The project is based on the concept of the electoral cycle which addresses both one-off and resource-intensive election support and capacity development for democratic institutions based on a longer-term development agenda within the broader context of democratic governance. This approach therefore emphasizes institutional capacity building of the ECP, and other governance institutions; encourages sustainable electoral policies and the participation of traditionally disadvantaged groups.

UNDP SELP Project has launched a project to promote peaceful and inclusive electoral processes in Pakistan, focusing on addressing antagonizing and negative discourses with the potential for aggravating political and social fault lines in Pakistan.

The Safe Digital Environment Enabling Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser of SELP who reports to the Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit (DGU).

Duties And Responsibilities

With overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor, the Safe Digital Environment Enabling Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

Project Initiation and Planning

• Analyze the existing literature and frameworks on hate speech and misinformation/disinformation, and advise on ensuring effective project initiation, the work-planning, and the operational launch of project activities.
• Provide expert technical advice on project management and implementation.
• Support SELP management during the project management phase to ensure that the project’s key milestones are aligned with and meet the project timelines.
• Identify and obtain any support and advice required for the management, planning, and control of the project.

Project Implementation

• Advise on effective project implementation, achieving project milestones and deliverables on time and at a specified cost.
• Supervise the effective implementation of project activities in collaboration with project partners and stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of key project activities, including engagements with political stakeholders, civil society organizations, and youth.
• Responsible for ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. 3. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Advise on effective coordination among the main stakeholders.
• Liaise with the donor, project partners, suppliers, and beneficiaries when needed.

Content Development and Dissemination

• Develop content specific to project activities, including ICT materials, training modules, research on key trends on disinformation and hate speech, and media materials for dissemination in mainstream and social media.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Prepare timely reports of project progress in line with UNDP and donor requirements.

Inclusion and Intersectionality

• Provide expert advice on integrating intersectional concerns pertaining to gender and meaningful inclusion of vulnerable groups in program activities.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to project team(s)/responsible party (ies).

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the realization of project outputs through activities.

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 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

Digital & Innovation

• Data Analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

Business Management

• Result Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Partnerships Management: Ability to 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 policies.
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.

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

Education

Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Gender Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, or any other related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Social Science, Gender Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, or any other related field in combination with additional 2 years of work 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 relevant experience at national or international level.: a) Communications and media development on peace building b) Research and communications on tackling hate speech, disinformation and extremism c) Public sector engagement on social cohesion
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management, programme formulation and implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural, multinational, multi-stakeholder setting and demonstrable ability to motivate people and work in a team setting.
• Substantial level of self-organization, being methodical, set priorities and pay attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience with the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience of working in Digital space or, Research and analysis on extremism, hate speech and disinformation, digital information disorder including mis/dis/malinformation.
• Experience in media and communication focusing on social behavior change and online social cohesion, and engagement with media and government stakeholders on peacebuilding
• Demonstrates capacity for planning and organizing work under time pressure.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills – Ability to synthesize project performance data and produce analytical reports.
• Demonstrable experience of providing critical analysis of programme result frameworks.
• Experience of working with government counterparts and maintaining good relationship with them.
• Experience in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, charts etc.) and web-based management systems; Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource.

Required Languages

• English and Urdu

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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