The Position:

The Programme Analyst, Digitalisation and Innovation is a member of the UNPFA South Africa Country Office and in particular the programmes team. S/he and Innovation provides professional support for the effective integration of digital solutions, data innovation, and emerging technologies across UNFPA South Africa's Country Programme. S/he will assist in identifying, developing, and scaling innovative approaches to accelerate the achievement of the three Transformative Results (ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices) and the ICPD Programme of Action in the national context.

S/he will work under the overall guidance of the Representative and will be directly supervised by the Assistant Representative. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 serves as a final push to achieve the goals of ICPD by 2030. It aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, placing the rights and choices of women, adolescents, and marginalized populations at the center of sustainable development. The plan focuses on four key, interconnected outcomes: accelerating progress on ending unmet need for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices, and adapting to demographic change through evidence-based policies.

The transformational journey mapped out in the Strategic Plan leads to 2030 and the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Emerging trends inform the plan, new and expanded priorities add to longstanding commitments, and “how we work” is changing. To address global challenges and protect past gains, the plan strengthens UNFPA's leadership and operational capacity, particularly in fragile settings. It emphasizes working with partners through country-led strategies, sustainable financing, and evidence-based advocacy. In South Africa, UNFPA’s work has transitioned from fund management to an engagement and solution center. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the position is to drive the adoption of innovation by managing the development and implementation of the office's digitalization strategy. This involves researching and recommending technologies such as mobile health platforms and AI, while incorporating human-centered design to ensure solutions are inclusive and effective. Furthermore, the Analyst builds capacity among staff and partners, fosters partnerships with the private sector and innovation hubs, and contributes to resource mobilization. A critical function of the role is to monitor the impact of innovation projects and systematize knowledge management to document lessons learned and advocate for successful, scalable solutions

This role is central to identifying, developing, and scaling cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to accelerate progress toward UNFPA's three Transformative Results and the goals of the ICPD Programme of Action. Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative, the analyst provides critical professional support to enhance the efficiency, reach, and impact of initiatives in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Population and Development through digitalization.
 

Responsibilities:

Programme Analyst, Digitalisation and Innovation has the following major Duties and Responsibilities: 

A. Programme Management, Digitalization, and Innovation

• Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Country Office's Digitalization and Innovation Strategy and annual work plans, ensuring alignment with national priorities and UNFPA's strategic plan.
• Identify, research, and recommend digital and innovative solutions (e.g., digital self-care, mobile health platforms, data science, frontier technologies like AI and IoT) that can enhance the efficiency, reach, and impact of UNFPA programmes in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Population and Development.
• Support the integration of innovative methodologies such as human-centered design (HCD) and agile development into programme design and implementation to ensure solutions are user-friendly, inclusive, and culturally appropriate.
• Contribute to the analysis of political, social, and economic trends, specifically focusing on the digital landscape, connectivity, and technology gaps, to inform programme formulation and advocacy efforts.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of innovation projects, assisting in defining key performance indicators (KPIs), collecting data, and synthesizing results to demonstrate impact and inform scaling decisions. 

B. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

• Provide technical and operational support to implementing partners and UNFPA programme teams on the application and scaling of digital and innovative solutions.
• Support capacity building initiatives for national partners and Country Office staff on innovation processes, digital literacy, and the use of technology to improve data generation, collection, and analysis for evidence-based programming.
• Serve as a focal point for the innovation community of practice within the Country Office, regional office and with national stakeholders, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration on best practices and lessons learned.

C. Partnerships, Knowledge Management, and Advocacy

• Assist in establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with the private sector, technology companies, national innovation hubs, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies to leverage resources and expertise for digitalization and innovation initiatives.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by providing inputs for proposals and donor reports, specifically highlighting the innovative and digital components of the Country Programme.
• Contribute to knowledge management by documenting, synthesizing, and disseminating innovation results, success stories, and lessons learned for internal and external communication, advocacy, and replication.
• Assist in the preparation of advocacy materials and communications products to raise the visibility of UNFPA's work in digitalization and innovation to key stakeholders and the public.

D. General Support 

• Stand-in for other Programme team members on selected functions as may be required. 
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following fields: Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Innovation Management, Development Studies, Public Health, Sociology, Economics, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 0-2 years in demonstrable responsibility/knowledge/experience in the fields of digital transformation, innovation management, or programme management in the public sector, non-governmental organization, or development sector is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or practical experience in the design, testing, and deployment of digital solutions or emerging technologies for social impact, preferably in the context of sexual and reproductive health, gender, or population issues.
• Experience applying innovative methodologies such as human-centered design (HCD) or agile project management is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the political, social, and economic context of South Africa and the national development priorities.
• Strong research, analytical, and excellent report writing skills.
• Familiarity with UN procedures and working methods, particularly with programme policies and procedures (e.g., monitoring and evaluation frameworks) is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team 

Languages: 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 
• Professional working knowledge of one or more official South African languages is an advantage
• Working knowledge of another UN Official Language is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Innovation Management
• Digital Solutions and Data Innovation
• Results-Based Management (RBM)
• Strategic Planning
• Capacity Development
• Partnership Management
• Knowledge Management
• Advocacy and Communication
• Proficiency in current office software applications
   

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.