Digital and Innovation Fellow

Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

ContextUNDP-Uganda, in partnership with other UN agencies are implementing a Joint Programme on Data and Statistics (JPDS) aimed at enhancing the national statistical capacity to address significant challenges in data and statistical production, access, and use for SDG monitoring and reporting. Despite progress in expanding SDG indicators with data points from 41 in 2017 to 141 in 2025, data remains unavailable for more than 60 indicators. Additionally, Uganda's Open Data Portal faces challenges, including data quality inconsistency, integration issues, and accessibility barriers for non-technical users. Considering the above, UNDP Uganda, in partnership with the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC), is implementing a project to strengthen Uganda’s national statistical systems through digital innovation and AI. This initiative aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040, Uganda Digital Vision, and the National Development Plan (NDP IV), aiming to enhance data-driven decision-making for the SDGs. The project will leverage the technical and financial support available under the USPC’s SDG Partnership Initiative to support the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to strengthen national statistical capacity for sustainable development in Uganda for not only production, analysis, and publishing of SDG data and statistics, but also improved access to and use of SDG related data and statistics for evidence-based decision making. The project aims to: 1. Enhance Uganda’s national statistical capacities, especially in applying generative AI techniques to overcome statistical challenges and fostering data-driven policymaking to support the effective implementation of national development plans. 2. Support in updating and strengthening national open statistical online portals and integrating AI into statistical processes, providing robust, transparent, and accessible data services. 3. Provide advisory services to the UBOS and other institutions such as the Ministry of ICT and Office of the Prime Minister through physical and online technical knowledge exchange meetings with relevant Korean experts. As part of this effort, UNDP Uganda seeks to recruit (through the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) program) a Digital and Innovation Fellow to provide technical support, ensuring the project’s objectives are met under the guidance of senior experts.

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Senior Economic Advisor, and the Economics Specialist, the Digital and Innovation Fellow provide support in the following areas: 1. AI and Digital Innovation Support • Assist in the integration of AI tools (e.g., Large Learning Models (LLMs), chatbots) into UBOS systems under the guidance of USPC and UBOS. • Support data cleaning, analysis, and visualization for SDG monitoring using tools like Stata, Python, R, or PowerBI. • Contribute to the development and testing of a proof-of-concept AI chatbot for UBOS’s Open Data Portal. 2. Capacity Building and Training • Help organize and co-facilitate training sessions for UBOS staff on AI applications, data visualization, and statistical tools. • Document training outcomes and user feedback for iterative improvements. 3. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing • Act as a liaison between UBOS, UNDP Uganda, and USPC for day-to-day coordination. • Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and knowledge products to share project progress and lessons learned. 4. Administrative and Logistical Support • Support project management tasks, including scheduling meetings, tracking deliverables, and maintaining documentation.

Competencies and values• Integrity and professionalism: ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarksLiving conditions in Kampala are generally favorable, offering access to a wide range of amenities.