Office/Unit/Project Description
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work, carried out at headquarters, regional, and country office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum from deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), which brings together field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains to deliver the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) leads on developing policy and guidance to advance UNDPโs Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocate for UNDPโs corporate positions, represent UNDP in multi-stakeholder fora, and engage in inter-agency coordination across thematic areas.
The Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub is part of this architecture. It brings together UNDPโs expertise in digital transformation, data, AI, and systems innovation to help countries harness new technologies as enablers of sustainable and inclusive development. The Hub serves as an integrated platform, offering advisory support, technical assistance, and capacity development to governments and partners in over 170 countries. It co-creates digital transformation journeys, strengthens national and institutional capabilities, and mobilizes partnerships to build inclusive digital ecosystems. By leveraging UNDPโs global presence, development intelligence, and portfolio approach, the Hub equips countries to anticipate risks, adapt to uncertainty, and harness digital, data and AI responsibly as forces for people and planet.
Read more about theย UNDP Strategic Plan 2026 โ 2029.ย
To bring digital development around the globe, we need someone who can manage digital products that advance digital development at UNDP. The position of Digital Product Managerย will be part of the team inย Product Studioย at the Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, BPPS, and report to the Head of Digital Experience. The Digital Product Manager will work in line with theย UNDP Digital Standards.
Scope of Workย
The Digital Product Managerย will oversee a portfolio of digital products and support product development process for digital concepts for UNDP and broader UN teams. The role will involve the ongoing evolution and management of products that enable digital transformation and effective delivery of UN and Government programmes.ย ย
Specifically, the Digital Product Manager will be responsible for the development of new product ideas, ready-to-scale products, and matured products developed with UN, UNDP BPPS, Crisis Bureau, regional, and country office teams. Under the supervision of the Head of Digital Experience, the product manager will be responsible for the following:
Advice on Product planningย ย
- Utilize human-centred design and design research methods to design products which are user-friendly, meet user and stakeholder needs, and solve the problems in focus.
- Facilitate co-design workshops and processes to ensure resulting products are desirable, viable, and feasible.
- Work with internal or vendor software developers to plan, scope, and deliver technical product builds.
- Develop and agree product plans/roadmaps with the relevant UNDP stakeholder/sponsor of the digital product.ย
- Develop pragmatic agile management processes to ensure products continue to be user centric, cost-efficient and impact oriented.ย ย
- Build strong relationships to ensure appropriate product oversight and organisational buy in required for the product vision to be realised.ย ย
- Regularly communicate and present product roadmaps to relevant teams within CDO and UNDP at large.ย ย
- Drive thought leadership on digital product management.ย
Ensure Product and service developmentย ย
- Enable continuous development process for products under management, with iterative customer and stakeholder feedback, deploying regular product releases and fixes.ย
- Implement and maintain the necessary technical and organizational infrastructure for product delivery, including documentation/communications materials, working with internal or vendor software development teams.
- Develop and implement quality standards and assurance processes by meeting/exceeding relevant UNDP and industry digital standards.ย
Provide strategic advice to management and continuous improvementย
- Implement ongoing product methodology and quality improvements in line with the relevant product roadmap.ย ย
- Provide responsive product support to relevant UNDP internal clients.ย
- Expand the breadth and depth of resources that enable greater levels of customer satisfaction through targeted automation, including templates, detailed documentation and standard operating procedures.ย
- Provide product training sessions for relevant teams in UNDP, including UNDP regional and country office focal points.ย
- Identify ย and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to unit activities. ย
- Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.ย
- Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to staff on internal and external knowledge management.ย
- Work with the Programme team to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.
Lead the effort of knowledge management and dissemination
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies Core
- Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย
- Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย
- Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย
- Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย ย
Digital & innovationย
- Digital product design: Ability to design digital products which are user-centred, intuitive, functional and achieve desired outcomes
- Digital product management: Ability to design and lead digital product development including testing, ongoing product iteration, product strategy and delivery.
- User-centred design, user research, user testing: Knowledge of user-centred design methodologies and ability to apply them practically
- Programming, Web and App Development: Ability to build websites, platforms and apps that are effective and intuitive to use.
- System thinking: Ability to use objective analysis to understand interconnections within systems and how changes in one area impact others.
- Effective decision making: Ability to take timely and efficient decisions within oneโs authority, area of expertise, and available resources.
- Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner across different audiences and contexts.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
- Min. Education requirementsย ย An advanced university degree (masterยดs degree) in business, management, computer science, mathematics, design, or software engineering with a strong focus on technology.
- A first-level university degree (bachelorยดs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of masterยดs degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- Minimum 5 years (with masterยดs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorยดs degree) of relevant professional experience in designing, managing, and implementing digital projects.
Required skills ย
- We are looking for a technically capable product manager and with a passion for scaling and operationalizing new and proven solutions.ย
- The successful candidate will be able to assess and understand digital products and engage effectively with relevant stakeholders to plan and implement product roadmaps for impact.
- Demonstrated proficiency in required technical areas, including design thinking, agile methodology, enterprise web/software development, product development, user research and testing and stakeholder management.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent technical communication with peers and non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to synthesize technical information and translate it into accessible products and systems.
Desired skillsย
- Experience in managing diverse teams and senior stakeholders around complex challenges.
- Experience in managing technical software vendors.
- Understanding of different contexts and experience working with developing countries.
- Knowledge of international development and key challenges affecting developing countries is desired.
- Excellent at giving and receiving feedback in positive, constructive ways.
- Experience in sales and client experience management.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English is required.ย
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local 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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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.
ย
- Minimum 5 years (with masterยดs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorยดs degree) of relevant professional experience in designing, managing, and implementing digital projects.