The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.
The Europe and Central Asia region covers a vast geographic area that is diverse in terms of ethnic, religious and cultural makeup. It consists of 19 countries and territories in Central Asia, South Caucasus, Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, many of which (re)emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Although the region has achieved middle-income status and relatively high levels of human development, persistent challenges to sustainable peace, effective and inclusive governance, and human rights remain.
While most countries have also introduced digital services in various forms as part of enhancing public service delivery, business processes, and connectivity, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the significant gaps in digitalization in countries and territories across the region, and that differential access to digital infrastructure, technology, educational and productivity applications are further widening inequalities across and inside countries and territories.
The Governance and Peacebuilding (GPB) Team of UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, covering ECIS region, provides advisory services to the countries in the areas of governance, anti-corruption, public sector transformation, digitalization, human rights, security, rule of law, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. It supports UNDP country offices and works with national, local and regional partners to advance new thinking and solutions to address complex governance and peace challenges in the region, towards accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Duties and Responsibilities:
Support the analysis of the intersections of digital, technology and governance, including the implications of large language models, 4IR, IoT, and digital behavioral data, among others, to inform new solutions and tools to advance inclusive, rights-based, digital governance models,
Contribute to the development of state-of-the art research, knowledge, solutions and learning approaches and tools in the field of digitalization and technology focusing on advancing holistic digital transformation and ecosystem frameworks, including on digital governance, data systems, cybersecurity, digital economy, smart cities and technology, etc,
Produce a series of data sets to communicate, advocate, and highlight key digital trends, opportunities and challenges in the region,
Support the organization of meetings and workshops relevant for the GPB cluster and specifically in the area of digitalization and technology,
Support day to day activities related to regional projects related to governance and digitalization, including communications with and support to the RBEC Digital Advocates Network (DAN),
Support drafting of concept notes, background notes and analytical pieces as needed to inform the development of new programmatic initiatives and/or development of digital tools within the governance and digitalization portfolio,
Prepare talking points, issue briefs and communication pieces (incl. articles, blog posts, etc.) to convey research and analytical results of the governance and digitalization work.
Required Skills and Experience:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application must meet one of the following requirements:
Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); or (c) Have recently graduated with a university degree in international affairs, technology, digital transformation, ICT or related field and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation
Demonstrated strong interest and academic background in digitalization, digital transformation, technology, data, or related issues is a requirement
Experience in drafting and writing research and analytical products;
Written and spoken proficiency in English language;
Knowledge of Europe and Central Asia region is an asset;
A desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds
Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.
