Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Scope of Work

Background

The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) serves as UNDP's primary knowledge and advisory hub for the Europe and CIS region (RBEC). The Hub connects the region to a global network of development experts, builds knowledge and capacity, and forges partnerships to address the development challenges of a complex and diverse region. The new Regional Programme (2026-2029) integrates four strategic priorities: prosperity for all; effective governance; crisis resilience; and healthy planet. Under each programmatic priority the programme seeks to act as a catalyst for systemic transformation and to deploy the portfolio approach more widely, enabling dynamic experimentation, learning and adaptation across interconnected interventions.

The IRH Innovation and Digital Team is taking forward a transformative approach to sustainable development through strategic innovation, portfolio and systems-thinking methods. Looking ahead, the team is focusing on three key innovation portfolio areas: urban transformation; digital development and emerging technologies; and innovative financing. Across all dimensions of our work, the team employs systems thinking, future-oriented approaches emphasizing the generation of development intelligence, and acceleration of local innovation to unearth new development pathways. The IRH Innovation and Digital Team acts as a regional extension of UNDP’s global Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub (DAI Hub) and closely collaborates with the global team.

Since 2015, UNDP has been pioneering blockchain and frontier technologies for sustainable development through the IRH Innovation team’s AltFinLab, a flagship initiative that designs innovative financing mechanisms blending public, private, and commercial capital to accelerate progress toward the SDGs. The Lab manages key programmes such as the SDG Blockchain Accelerator (supporting more than 40 blockchain use cases), the Government Blockchain Academy (launching country programmes in 2026), and the UNDP Blockchain Academy (training more than 500 UN personnel globally). These initiatives generate practical evidence and scalable solutions that contribute to UNDP's wider work on digital finance, financial inclusion, and digital economies across the organization.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a Blockchain and Digital Innovation Analyst to contribute to programme coordination, stakeholder engagement, research and knowledge development, communications and visibility, and operational support for Future of Work Academy, SDG Blockchain Accelerator, and Digital Payments initiatives.

Working closely with the Accelerator team, the Digital Payments team, technology partners, and participating organizations, the Analyst will support the successful delivery of programme activities, monitor progress against key milestones, and contribute to documenting lessons learned and developing knowledge products that promote the responsible adoption of blockchain, AI, and other emerging technologies for sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities

1 - Support the Implementation of the Future of Work Academy

Support the implementation of the Future of Work Academy for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the identification, selection, onboarding, and engagement of at least 20 participating organizations.

Support participating CSOs in identifying opportunities to apply decentralized AI and digital infrastructure solutions to strengthen organizational resilience, operational efficiency, and innovation.

Support the assessment and selection of at least 3 CSOs to develop and implement pilot initiatives demonstrating practical decentralized AI use cases, including coordination, progress monitoring, and documentation of lessons learned.

Contribute to programme monitoring and evaluation by documenting best practices, tracking results, and preparing a final report summarizing programme outcomes, pilot results, lessons learned, and recommendations for future scale-up and public dissemination.

2 - Support the Implementation of the SDG Blockchain Accelerator – Cohort 3

Support the Accelerator Lead in planning, organizing, and coordinating programme activities, sessions, and events.

Manage at least 20 UNDP country offices and solution makers onboarding, maintain participant records, and track engagement, attendance, and programme progress.

Support the preparation of programme documentation, meeting notes, reports, and other knowledge products

Support at least 5 Country Offices in understanding blockchain applications and emerging technologies, including their opportunities, limitations, implementation requirements, and responsible adoption approaches.

Contribute to the integration of Artificial Intelligence within Accelerator solutions by conducting research on AI use cases, responsible AI principles, governance considerations, and practical implementation approaches.

Identify, map, and engage ecosystem partners, including blockchain foundations, AI companies, academic institutions, innovation hubs, and private sector organizations that can provide technical expertise, mentorship, or in-kind support to programme participants.

Monitor programme implementation, identify operational issues, and support the Accelerator Lead in ensuring the timely delivery of programme milestones and activities.

3 - Support the Implementation and Communication of the Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion initiatives

Support the coordination and day-to-day implementation of digital payments and financial innovation activities, ensuring effective planning, documentation, and follow-up across ongoing initiatives.

Contribute to the preparation of technical notes, presentations, concept notes, communication materials, and case studies related to digital payments.

Support communication and visibility efforts for digital payments initiatives by preparing presentations, communication materials, success stories, and other knowledge products for internal and external audiences.

Maintain and update trackers, knowledge repositories, and operational documentation related to digital payments initiatives, contributing to programme reporting and knowledge management.

Competencies

Core

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 and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies (up to 7)

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Digital	Blockchain Advice	Knowledge of how blockchain works, and ability to advise on the opportunities and challenges for governments and society.
Business Management	Digital Awareness & Literacy	Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them.
Digital	Artificial intelligence thought leadership	Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in AI, along with their social, ethical, and economic implications, including data privacy and human rights. Ability to engage with industry experts, government representatives, and academics to stay updated on latest trends and to form partnerships. Strong skills in conducting and interpreting research to support thought leadership initiatives, including white papers, policy briefs, or case studies. Understanding of global trends and cultural nuances, as they relate to the field of AI. Familiarity with international laws and standards regarding technology, particularly in a multistakeholder environment like the UN.
Digital	Innovation Capacity Building	Ability to define and create conditions for trying out new ways of working or introducing new problem-solving approaches to an organization. Ability to develop, manage and evaluate a learning curriculum raises awareness, builds confidence, strengthens innovation capabilities around a certain method, tool or technique; or helps develop an innovation mindset. Ability to create the authorizing environment (mandate, incentives) to embed and spread new ways of working. In-depth knowledge of one or more innovation methods, broad knowledge of innovation processes and innovation management. Ability to align a learning and development strategy with broader innovation strategy.
Partnership Management	Relationship Management	Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
Data	Data Analysis	Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Public Policy, Digital Technologies, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Up to 2 years (with Master's degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in digital innovation, emerging technologies, digital transformation, business analysis, or related areas.
Experience working on digital transformation, digital solutions, or technology-related projects is required.
Experience with stakeholders’ engagement is an asset.
Experience in organizing webinars, events, trainings is an asset.
Experience using data analysis and visualization tools is an asset.
Experience conducting research on digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence, or emerging technologies is an asset.
Experience with digital payment and mobile money solutions is an asset.
Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

SHORT-TERM: Blockchain and Digital Innovation Analyst IPSA-8