Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Istanbul
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2024-10-08
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.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) has a mandate to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye on the basis of the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The Center is one of the six global thematic centers of UNDP, advocating and facilitating the contribution of the private sector to human development and inclusive growth.
The SDG AI Lab is a joint initiative of UNDP Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) teams and hosted under UNDP ICPSD. The Lab has a mission to harness the potential of frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for sustainable development. SDG AI Lab provides research, development, and advisory services in the areas of frontier technologies and sustainable development.
ICPSD SDG AI Lab, UNDP Türkiye and Samsung are joining forces to implement the Innovation Campus Project in Türkiye. The Innovation Campus Project aims to enable the next-generation labour force to work with future-shaping technologies, provide young people with the technical skills they need to thrive in and lead the 4th Industrial Revolution, and accelerate Türkiye’s digital transformation by addressing the skills gap. The programme will contribute to the training of disadvantaged young people with a priority given to the youth displaced by the earthquake, on advanced technologies (such as AI, IoT and Big Data). UNDP IICPSD’s SDG AI Lab will complement Samsung’s AI Training curriculum through bridging these technologies with SDGs. The Lab will achieve this via conducting awareness raising and training sessions on the use of AI for SDGs, providing domain expertise and mentorship and supporting graduation projects. To scale the programme SDG AI Lab will mobilize volunteers for trainings, mentorships and employability guidance. The young people, in this project are expected to gain critical technical and life skills which would contribute to employability of the participants as well as closing skills gap between disadvantaged participants and others.
The Programme Analyst will contribute to the coordination of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) project, ensuring smooth communication between all stakeholders and supporting the development and delivery of training content.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Technical Specialist, the Programme Analyst will have the following responsibilities:
Day-to-day coordination and implementation to ensure achievement of programme objectives and outputs & activities:
Coordinate the implementation of the SIC (Samsung Innovation Campus) respective activities based on the relevant project documents.
Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and setting-out corresponding milestones.
Monitor the progress of implementation of project activities, budget and key event schedules.
Ensure adherence of Programme activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations. Coordinate experts and service providers through planning, implementing, and monitoring the delivery of outputs, reports, and knowledge products.
Prepare Programme progress reports.
Contribute to the management of stakeholders and partners and development of new partnerships:
Maintain and strengthen the existing partnerships for Samsung Innovation Campus.
Liaise with other relevant government and relevant partners/stakeholders, UNDP Country Offices.
Develop new partnership with civil society and/or non-governmental organizations, local communities and private sector to deliver the project outputs and activities.
Contribute to the Innovation Campus Training Component:
Contribute to training content development.
Arrange learning sessions, schedule and assist instructors.
Onboard the Samsung Innovation Campus participants, guide, and engage with them throughout the process.
Host office hours for learners’ questions and inquiries.
Teach and assist students with Machine Learning and Python.
Cultivate a positive, organized learning atmosphere.
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing:
Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues.
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 Programme Analyst will be working under the guidance of and reporting directly to the UNDP ICPSD Technical Specialist.
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Digital thought leadership: Ongoing research into emerging technologies and digital trends and the applications, risks, and opportunities associated with digital adoption, combined with the ability to communicate this synthesis with a broad audience.
Data engineering: Ability in programming languages such as Python and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.
Machine learning: Skilled in computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and using data.
Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.
Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee the Organization’s business processes to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Statistic, Mathematics, Engineering or other related field is required, OR a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above stated areas, in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the field of data science, data analysis, data engineering, machine learning or other related areas.
Proven and demonstrated knowledge or experience in supporting multistakeholder partnerships and collaborations is required.
Proven knowledge and expertise in development and implementation of projects in the field of machine learning is required.
Strong programming skills, preferably with Python is required.
Demonstrated experience implementing digital capacity/skills building projects is an asset.
Experience in remote delivery of skills training, e-learning, online learning management system is an asset.
Work experience in with an international organizations/ UN is an advantage.
Demonstrated expertise in the development of knowledge products and/or academic articles is an advantage.
Fluency in English and Turkish are required.
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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