Information technology analyst - ai and emerging technologies, ipsa-9, new york, usa, uncdf [open to tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

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.

Background

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF's vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:

• SME Finance
• Sub-National Finance
• Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

The Digital Transformation and Innovation Unit (DTI) leads UNCDF's enterprise-wide digital transformation, including the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into UNCDF's investment, programmatic, and operational workflows, while also ensuring compliance with UN AI policy and guidelines. Under UNCDF's Strategic Framework 2026–2029, DTI is responsible for operationalizing a portfolio of AI agents and emerging-technology pilots that strengthen the quality of catalytic capital deployment, accelerate programme delivery, and expand financial inclusion in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and fragile settings.

The Information Technology Analyst - AI and Emerging Technologies will work on the implementation and scaling of the AI portfolio, building on the foundational AI actions and the first deployed AI system (Strategic Alignment Intelligence, or SAI). The position is central to helping to translate UNCDF's strategic AI commitments into a mature, governed, and institutionally embedded ecosystem of digital solutions serving UNCDF's catalytic mandate, while aligning with UN and UNDP AI frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities

The AI and Emerging Technologies Integration Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation Unit, UNCDF. The incumbent will collaborate closely with the Executive Secretary, Regional Team Leads (RTLs) and the Digital Transformation and Innovation Unit.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation Unit, the Information Technology Analyst: AI and Emerging Technologies will be responsible for the following key result areas:

1. Operation and continuous development of UNCDF's enterprise AI agent portfolio
2. Enterprise AI architecture, data integration and institutional knowledge infrastructure
3. Integration of emerging technologies beyond AI
4. AI governance, responsible deployment and risk management
5. Partnerships, capacity building and knowledge management

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 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:

Thematic Area Name Definition

• Digital Systems thinking & transformation
• Digital Artificial intelligence thought Leadership
• Digital Blockchain advice
• Business Direction & Strategy Systems Thinking
• Business Management Project Management
• Business Development Knowledge Generation
• Digital Creative facilitation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, International Development, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years (with master's degree) or four (4) years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in the design and management of innovation, technology or development programmes, projects or partnerships, including demonstrated hands-on experience designing, developing or deploying AI systems or other emerging technologies in a development, public-sector or multilateral context.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience designing and operating multi-agent AI systems, including using orchestration frameworks such as LangGraph, Google ADK, or equivalent platform-native agent builders (e.g., Microsoft Copilot Studio multi-agent configurations).
• Working knowledge of at least two enterprise AI platforms from across the current market (e.g., Google Gemini Enterprise, Microsoft Copilot Studio, Salesforce AgentForce, or equivalent frontier-model agentic platforms).
• Proficiency in Python, with demonstrated experience deploying AI-powered applications on modern cloud platforms (e.g., Google Cloud Platform, Vercel, AWS, or equivalent), including familiarity with serverless hosting, authentication integration, and AI SDK / LLM API integration.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of blockchain / distributed ledger technologies (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric etc).
• Demonstrated ability to translate institutional workflows (e.g., investment review, programme documentation, donor reporting) into structured AI agent designs.

Desired:

• Experience combining a technical (Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science) foundation with a policy, economics, or development issue focus.
• Experience within the UN system, an International Financial Institution (IFI), or a development finance institution, particularly in work related to LDCs, SIDS, or fragile settings.
• Experience with UN system guidance on responsible and ethical AI, including the UN Principles for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence and the Global Digital Compact.
• Experience evaluating AI systems through controlled studies, benchmarking, or structured validation protocols.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as STATA and spatial tools such as ArcGIS.
• Working experience with blended finance, catalytic capital, and development-finance instruments (grants, reimbursable grants, concessional loans, guarantees, first-loss tranches).

Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

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.

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 here.

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