Mission and objectives

Established in 1965, UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, operating in nearly 170 countries and territories. Its mission is to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and shocks. The Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s primary knowledge and advisory center for the Europe and Central Asia region. The Governance and Peacebuilding team at the IRH supports UNDP offices in 19 countries and territories with advisory services aimed at advancing good governance, rule of law, security, human rights, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and combating corruption.

Context

Cybersecurity threats pose a significant challenge to sustainable digital transformation across the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. Recent cyber incidents have highlighted vulnerabilities across multiple sectors (e.g., banking, energy, water, etc.) necessitating a robust and collaborative approach to cybersecurity. Considering this situation, during past couple of years, UNDP has supported multiple countries in the region on this area and provided targeted support for strengthening support and cooperation among the countries and territories in the region. For EU accession countries, the region's alignment with EU standards, such as the NIS2 Directive (can be found at the following link: https://www.nis-2-directive.com/#:~:text=NIS%202%20(Directive%20(EU),for%20network%20and%20information%20systems.), is crucial for enhancing cybersecurity resilience and facilitating EU integration. However, fragmented approaches, lack of private sector collaboration, and a shortage of skilled professionals are slowing down progress in strengthening cyber-resilience in the region. In partnership with the Slovak Republic, the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is implementing the Cybersecurity for a Resilient Digital Future project, aimed at strengthening cybersecurity capacities, fostering regional cooperation, and mobilizing private sector investments to scale up and sustain innovative cybersecurity approaches and solutions. This UNV assignment will be directly supporting the implementation of this project.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist on Local/Urban Governance and Integrated Local Development, in the Governance and Peacebuilding Team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the coordination, implementation, and reporting of the regional components of the Cybersecurity for a Resilient Digital Future project, ensuring preparation and rollout of regional activities under the project; • Contribute to establishing a state-of-the-art knowledge base and advocacy materials on cybersecurity in the region including through consolidation of various analytics, reports and consultations towards stronger understanding of risks, threats, needs and opportunities; • Coordinate implementation and reporting of country-level activities in close consultation with UNDP CO focal points, ensuring alignment with agreed timelines, workplans, and budgets; • Support the development and rollout of cybersecurity learning and training programs within the project and more broadly at the regional and country levels; • Support partnerships on cybersecurity with relevant organizations, including UN entities, towards enhancing policy, programmatic, and knowledge initiatives; • Perform other tasks as may be needed for the effective fulfillment of these functions.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose. The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul and responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. The full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service: https://explore.unv.org/cos Summary of National UN Volunteer (Specialist) Entitlements: • Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,614 (paid in local currency) • Private insurance: Health, dental, life, and dismemberment (100%) coverage by CIGNA As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be only initiated on private basis. • Entry allowance: USD 400 • Exit allowance: USD 134 per month, and paid only upon the satisfactory completion of assignment • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. 2) It's important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs.