Digital Impact Specialist - Foundations and Guardrails
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in challenging global environments to protect and advance the rights of disadvantaged children. In the East Asia and Pacific Region, UNICEF focuses on ensuring children's survival, development, protection, and participation. This role is situated within UNICEF Asia Pacific’s Regional Office (APRO) Digital Impact section, aiming to provide oversight and support for digital foundations and guardrails across the region, aligning with global standards and regional priorities.
Job Purpose
This assignment supports UNICEF Asia Pacific’s Regional Office (APRO) Digital Impact section by providing regional oversight, technical assurance, and coordinated support for Digital Foundations and Guardrails across UNICEF Country Offices in the Asia-Pacific region. The role will collaborate closely with UNICEF’s Digital Impact Division (DID) to ensure the consistent application of global technology standards, architecture, cybersecurity, and digital risk management. The specialist will balance adherence to these standards with responsiveness to Country Office needs and regional priorities, contributing to a secure and effective digital environment for UNICEF's operations and programming.
Responsibilities
The Digital Impact Specialist will support regional digital foundations and guardrails by contributing to secure, resilient, and scalable digital infrastructure aligned with UNICEF's strategy and standards. Key activities include supporting the adoption of cloud services, modern workplace technologies, and network infrastructure; liaising with global and regional teams to align country office digital architectures; providing technical guidance on cybersecurity and digital risk management; assessing and consolidating ICT, cloud, data, and AI infrastructure requirements; and ensuring technical assurance for digital solutions throughout their lifecycle. Additionally, the role will strengthen regional digital governance, coordination, capacity, and partnerships by contributing to capacity-building initiatives, supporting the TeamOne approach for personnel development, providing technical review for business process automation, and offering governance support for digital fundraising platforms. The specialist will also represent UNICEF in relevant inter-agency mechanisms, facilitate knowledge exchange, and maintain professional development in emerging technology areas. Furthermore, the role will support the design, implementation, and management of digital and data solutions, including business process automation, digital solution architecture, enterprise and program platforms, web and online services, and knowledge management systems, while also supporting regional solution coordination and procurement.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in IT management and business operations within a large international organization or corporation is required. This includes experience in identifying, designing, and implementing large-scale IT projects, managing vendors, business analysis, budgets, contracts, and procurement. Demonstrated hands-on experience with web application development using Microsoft and Open-Source frameworks, SharePoint, and Microsoft IT network environments is essential. Experience in IT project management, particularly software development, and relevant ICT technical competencies (e.g., Project Management, Business Analytics, Information Security) are also required. Experience with UNICEF, UN, or other INGO programmatic areas, and applying technical solutions to programmatic issues is beneficial. Experience in open source, mobile technologies, T4D/ICT4D, specific UNICEF platforms, and stakeholder coordination is desirable.
Skills
Core competencies include demonstrating self-awareness, ethical awareness, collaboration, partnership building, innovation, strategic thinking, driving results, and managing ambiguity and complexity. Technical expertise is required in information technology and telecommunications, with a focus on digital foundations, cybersecurity, cloud services, data and AI, and enterprise architecture. Familiarity with UNICEF's digital landscape and relevant platforms is advantageous.