Digital Solutions & CoE Specialist

The Digital Solutions & CoE Specialist is responsible for managing and integrating ICT solutions into UNFPA's programmatic work. The role involves managing the technical lifecycle of digital products, providing technical advisory and field support, developing governance and capacity building standards, and co-leading partnerships and resource mobilisation efforts to support digital transformation across UNFPA operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technical lifecycle, rollout, and scaling of assigned core digital products developed or adopted by the DCoE.
• Draft product roadmaps, technical requirements, and user stories for software developers, technical vendors, and system integrators.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments and digital maturity evaluations for Country Offices seeking to deploy localized digital solutions.
• Ensure assigned DCoE solutions comply with organizational cybersecurity standards, enterprise architecture, data privacy regulations, and human rights frameworks.
• Track product performance, log issues and risks, and apply mitigation measures across the product lifecycle.
• Provide Technical Assistance to Regional and Country Offices on implementing complex ICT and digital solutions.
• Provide direct support and quality assurance on developer deliverables, technical integration, and system infrastructure.
• Establish standard operating procedures, technical documentation guidelines, and service-level targets for scaled digital solutions.
• Act as the technical interface between developers, vendors, and non-technical programme staff, translating programme needs into clear technical specifications.
• Develop technical guidelines, coding standards, and reference architectures for the digital products supported by the DCoE.
• Lead technical workshops, webinars, and hands-on training sessions for regional ICT officers and implementing partners.
• Oversee vendor contracts, technical consultancies, and developer deliverables, ensuring timebound and cost-effective execution.
• Maintain a catalogue of reusable solutions and reference implementations, and support communities of practice so Country Offices can reuse proven digital products.
• Co-lead assigned partnerships from first engagement through to a signed agreement, working with DCoE leadership, and supporting the wider resource mobilisation agenda.
• Draft concept notes, proposals, and partner briefs that make the case for financing digital scaling, idea piloting, and startup support.
• Support Country Offices pursue partnerships and develop funding proposals for digital and T4D initiatives, and quality-assure the technical content.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of external donors and partners to support digital transformation across UNFPA operations globally.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of scaling, piloting, and startup opportunities, tracking readiness, funding status, and partner interest.
• Prepare technical and costing inputs for grants, challenge funds, and co-financing arrangements.
• Coordinate the sourcing, due diligence, and onboarding of external startups and innovators, and support Country Office pilots that test new solutions in a startup model.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Information Technology, Business Administration or related discipline.
• A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in software product management, innovation, digital transformation implementation, system architecture, or technology-driven development initiatives.
• Proven track record in managing technology implementation lifecycles, technical vendor teams, and complex digital product deployments.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical advisory support to decentralized or international field environments.
• Knowledge and understanding of T4D, AI, and KM systems in cloud environments.
• Experience preparing funding proposals or partnership agreements, and building donor or partner relationships in a development or technology context.
• Experience working within an enterprise IT office, innovation hub, or digital centre of excellence is highly desirable.
• Strong familiarity with data privacy standards, enterprise systems architecture, and modern cloud infrastructures.
• Experience with UN system policies and operations or a similar environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively within all levels of the organization, including briefing executive management and key client stakeholders.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.

Skills

• Software Product Management
• Digital Transformation
• Systems Architecture
• Technology Implementation Lifecycle
• Digital Product Deployment
• Technical Advisory
• Artificial Intelligence
• Knowledge Management
• Cloud Environments
• Funding Request Preparation
• Partnership Contract Development
• Emergency IT Operations
• Innovation Hub Experience
• Digital Centre of Excellence
• Data Privacy Standards
• Enterprise Systems Architecture
• Modern Cloud Infrastructure
• UN System Policies
• IT Vendor Management
• T4D Experience
• Relationship Building with Donors

Languages

English, French, Spanish