Senior Programme Advisor [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Full-time

Singapore

Posted on Oct 27, 2026
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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

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD) is part of UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub, which leverages digital, data, and systems innovation to help governments and partners address complex development challenges through more agile, adaptive, and inclusive approaches.

Based in Singapore, the Global Centre draws on the country’s strengths in technology, policy, and innovation, engaging a broad ecosystem of government agencies, private sector actors, academia, and thought leaders. Through this collaboration, the Centre connects policymakers, practitioners, and experts globally to exchange insights and co-create practical solutions that advance sustainable development.

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world. Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues. The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind. These aims are supported by the transformation of our internal, operational systems and building an agile, digitally capable workforce

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is looking for a Senior Programme Advisor to provide programme coordination, technical analysis, and stakeholder engagement support for the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (the UNDP Global Centre). The Centre has a particular thematic focus on digital foundations and cyber resilience, trustworthy and inclusive AI, digital and systems thinking, and innovation for climate, sustainability and sustainable finance. The Senior Programme Advisor will report and provide direct support to the Chief Digital Officer and the Head of Global Partnerships and Engagement to scale impact and enable opportunities for collective action, especially through multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder coalitions across UNDP’s global network. This is a coordination and technical support role, with a unique opportunity to contribute to how UNDP leverages Singapore’s digital ecosystem to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the supervision of the Chief Digital Officer/Director of the DAI Hub, provide operational and analytical support for the annual workplan of the UNDP Global Centre, tracking implementation milestones and delivery of results. This includes:

Programme Planning and Implementation Support:

  • Coordinating the design and implementation of the Centre’s programme activities in collaboration with the DAI Hub team and relevant partners;
  • Supporting the Head of Global Partnerships on resource mobilization activities, including preparing concept notes and documentation to identify opportunities from development partners, private sector, and key stakeholders;
  • Coordinating with the Head of Strategic Resourcing of the DAI Hub on budget tracking and financial management matters, ensuring alignment with UNDP policies, funding arrangements, and corporate requirements;
  • Monitoring and providing regular progress updates on Centre activities, flagging implementation risks and proposing adjustments for the consideration of the Chief Digital Officer;
  • Collaborating with DAI Hub colleagues to support the development of cohesive offers, proposals, programmes, and projects aligned to the Centre’s thematic focus areas;
  • Supporting the Centre’s contribution to UNDP’s broader digital transformation agenda, ensuring the coherence of activities with the DAI Hub’s strategic objectives.

Technical Analysis and Knowledge Support:

  • Continuously monitor emerging developments in digital policy, AI, innovation and technology with relevance to sustainable development, preparing research summaries and horizon-scanning briefs for the Chief Digital Officer and DAI Hub leadership;
  • Prepare and contribute to knowledge products, policy briefs, reports and presentations that support the Centre’s role as a hub for digital and AI knowledge in development;
  • Support the design and delivery of Centre activities, including events, workshops, and convenings, ensuring they are substantively grounded and relevant to policymakers, private sector, academia, and civil society stakeholders;
  • Engage with relevant UNDP colleagues in regional bureaux and thematic teams to support alignment of the Centre’s programme with UNDP’s Strategic Plan, providing analytical inputs and briefings as requested.

Stakeholder Coordination and Engagement Support:

  • Provide coordination, analytical, and operational support for partnership engagement activities with external and internal stakeholders, under the strategic direction of the Chief Digital Officer and the Head of Partnerships and Engagement of the DAI Hub;
  • Under the guidance of the Head of Partnerships and Engagement, support the identification and analysis of partnership opportunities, particularly with private sector actors, digital and technology companies, and innovation institutions in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region;
  • Liaise and coordinate with UNDP regional and central bureaux, including the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, the Malaysia Country Office, and relevant Global Policy Network (GPN) teams, to ensure effective information-sharing and collaboration;
  • Facilitate connections between external stakeholders and UNDP teams, supporting the brokering of knowledge exchanges, expert convenings, and collaborative initiatives under the direction of DAI Hub leadership.

Knowledge Management and UNDP Integration

  • Support information flows within and between the UNDP Global Centre, the DAI Hub and its broader digital network, BPPS, and the wider UNDP Global Policy Network, continually identifying opportunities to contribute to UNDP’s impact;
  • Keep abreast of major institutional initiatives and relevant events, identifying opportunities for DAI Hub and UNDP engagement, and preparing briefings and inputs as requested;
  • Facilitate regular information-sharing and planning with different parts of the DAI Hub and UNDP, identifying opportunities, gaps, and areas for collaboration to ensure the value-added of the Centre’s activities;
  • Coordinate the management of donor and partner reporting for the Centre, collecting key results, lessons, and ensuring sound reporting in collaboration with the DAI Hub Partnerships Team, Operations, and Finance;
  • Contribute to institutional learning by documenting good practices, lessons learned, and Centre results in accessible knowledge products for the benefit of the DAI Hub and UNDP more broadly;
  • Develop benchmarks and methods for monitoring the Centre’s programme performance and reporting against agreed results frameworks.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

  • The position will report into Chief Digital Officer/Director of DAI hub.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results:LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Digital: Digital Ecosystems: Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and Society.

Digital : Artificial intelligence thought leadership: Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in AI, along with their social, ethical, and economic implications, including data privacy and human rights.

Ability to engage with industry experts, government representatives, and academics to stay updated on latest trends and to form partnerships. Strong skills in conducting and interpreting research to support thought leadership initiatives, including white papers, policy briefs, or case studies. Understanding of global trends and cultural nuances, as they relate to the field of AI. Familiarity with international laws and standards regarding technology, particularly in a multi-stakeholder environment like the UN.

Data: Data Analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Business Direction & Strategy: Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management: Results-based Management : Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management : Partnerships Management : Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Public Policy, International Development, Digital Policy, Computer Science, or related discipline is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a master’s degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience (with master’s degree) or 12 years of relevant work experience (with bachelor’s degree) in international development, digital policy, or technology for development (international organizations, government, private sector, or civil society.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience in programme coordination and knowledge management within international or multilateral organizations;
  • Proven track record of substantive experience in engagement with the Singaporean digital, AI and innovation ecosystem;
  • Strong experience building partnerships and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, particularly with private sector, government, and academia;
  • Strong professional experience and understanding of the role of digital, technology, and innovation in sustainable development, including work on digital strategies or technology solutions;
  • Proven experience developing impactful, outcomes-focused partnerships, particularly with the private sector and digital and AI innovation actors.

Desired Skills:

  • Experience in resource mobilization support and donor/partner coordination for global or strategic programmes;
  • Experience in working with the Singaporean ecosystem on areas of focus for the Centre;
  • Experience working within UNDP or UN system.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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.

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.

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

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.

Data Privacy

Please click here to view UNDP Data Privacy Statement

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