Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global organization mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye based on the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The center is one of the six global thematic policy centers of UNDP, supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. ICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world.
UNDP’s Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) and Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation partnered for Online Game Development Bootcamp for fostering innovation and skill development within the gaming industry in the UAE. The bootcamp is built upon HP’s online learning initiative “HP Gaming Garage”. It is designed to provide aspiring game developers, designers, and enthusiasts with a skills development platform to enhance their skills, explore new ideas, and create impactful game projects.
In this context, the Programme & Community Fellow will support the day-to-day implementation of the Online Game Development Bootcamp by assisting with programme coordination, participant engagement, and community management. The Fellow will play a key role in fostering an active and inclusive learning community across cohorts, supporting communication between participants, mentors, and trainers, and contributing to the tracking of participation, progress, and graduation outcomes. Through this role, the Fellow will help strengthen learner engagement and support the sustainability of the bootcamp’s community beyond the training period.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Support and Community Development Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:
| | Duties and responsibilities | % of time |
| 1 | Support the Programme Implementation and Student Engagement component - Support tracking of programme processes, including attendance, assignments, project milestones, and cohort progress, using simple tracking tools
- Support basic documentation, reporting, and data consolidation for programme monitoring and internal updates
- Support student engagement and participation by managing cohort communication channels, sharing reminders, and responding to basic participant inquiries
- Support coordination and communication with partner schools and universities, including student lists, outreach follow-ups, and alignment on programme timelines
| 30 % |
| 2 | Support Community component in UAE - Support ICPSD in organizing community events and engaging participants to the Programme;
- Facilitate communications and discussions within the community;
- Support community management activities, including facilitating interaction among students, mentors, and trainers and supporting alumni and showcase-related communications
- Assist in drafting and scheduling social media posts related to programme activities, milestones, and events across relevant platforms.
- Support preparation of communication materials, including success stories, learner highlights, announcements, and short promotional texts.
- Support the development of simple visual communication materials in coordination with the communications team or external service providers.
- Assist in maintaining a social media content calendar aligned with programme milestones and events.
- Monitor engagement metrics and compile basic social media performance summaries for internal tracking.
| 30 % |
| 3 | - Support social media and communication tasks
| 20% |
| 4 | - Support capstone projects, demodays, gradation ceremonies, hackathons, activities and new project formulation and deployment throughout the Project;
| 10 % |
| 5 | Other - Provide as needed support to the Technical Specialist as required for, amongst others, participating in meetings, conferences, providing administrative support, drafting meeting minutes and performing other functions and duties.
| 10 % |
Competencies
Competencies and attitude:
- Interest in innovative teaching, learning and assessment;
- Flexibility and capacity to teach (remotely) across a range of game programming and design courses;
- Willingness and capacity to undertake continuous professional development related to technology use and to teach on these matters;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills, both face-to-face and online;
- Displays culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Excellent with deadlines;
- Self-driven and open to self-development;
- Ability to understand the needs and challenges faced by adult learners;
- Strong attention to detail including skills in record keeping and records management;
- Genuine interest and commitment to help students achieve their goals;
- Good operations management skills;
- Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision;
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
- currently enrolled in a postgraduate program (such as a master's program or higher) or
- have graduated with a university degree or equivalent studies.
Field of study: Computer science, ICT, engineering, game development, STEM, data science, AI or a related field.
IT skills:
- Understanding of Unity and/or C#, with familiarity in game engine functionality and scripting is an asset.
- Knowledge and/or experience in online community platforms, such as Discord, Circle is an asset
- Experience supporting day-to-day programme operations, including coordination of activities, follow-up on tasks, and basic documentation or reporting is an asset.
- Experience working with students, early-career professionals, or young participants in an academic, training, or online learning environment is an asset.
- Experience supporting communication and engagement activities, such as managing group communications, sharing reminders, or facilitating online interaction.
- Experience using basic tracking and organizational tools (e.g. Excel, Google Sheets, task trackers etc.) to monitor activities, participation, or progress.
- Experience working in a multi-stakeholder or team-based environment, with exposure to coordination among different actors (e.g. schools, trainers, mentors, programme teams).
Language skills:
- Fluency in Arabic and English is required.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The application should contain:
- Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
- Current and complete CV in English;
- Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:
- Official document(s) confirming meeting at least one of the educational requirements.
Stipend:
During the time of the fellowship, UNDP will provide a monthly stipend.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Scam warning
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Duties and Responsibilities