Mobile Computing Associate – Circular Innovation and Experimentation

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone supports the United Nations system through its integrated offer, using a people-first approach centred on the ‘leave no one behind’ principle, and a human rights- and area-based development strategy. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, National Development Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the programme seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and enhance justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience with its focus on two pillars: (a) People-centred sustainable development and resilience, prioritising people’s well-being and planetary health and (b) Inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity, embodying harmonious development, effective resource management, and equitable governance. Furthermore, the UNDP comparative advantage includes leveraging global and regional partnerships, working across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance, and providing technical and policy-oriented support, all while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.

Context

UNDP Sierra Leone is implementing innovation and digital transformation initiatives through the timbuktoo UniPod, including the Samsung Mobile Circularity Initiative. The initiative supports youth skills, experimentation and innovation in mobile technology, electronics, repair, refurbishment, e-waste management and circular economy. Effective implementation requires consistent administrative coordination and clear documentation across the UniPod, Samsung Mobile Circularity activities, UNDP programme and operations teams, universities, service providers and participating innovators. The Admin and Finance Associate will provide entry-level administrative and financial support to help keep project activities, documentation and deliverables on track.

Task Description

A. Innovation and Prototyping Support

• Assist young innovators to translate problem statements and concepts into simple, structured, and testable experiments.
• Support the development of early prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions using available laboratory tools, microcontrollers, and electronic components.
• Help participants define basic testing steps, document technical observations, and systematically improve prototypes through design iteration.
• Provide practical, hands-on guidance on electronics and mobile-computing concepts within the incumbent’s technical competence.
• Escalate complex experiments requiring advanced engineering expertise, specialized equipment, or additional safety controls to senior supervisors. B. Mobile Device and Electronics Learning
• Support practical, hands-on demonstrations on mobile-device components, computer hardware, and basic electronic systems.
• Assist with supervised diagnostics, fault identification, and troubleshooting for mobile devices and selected electronics.
• Support safe, orderly disassembly, reassembly, component-level testing, and repairability exercises.
• Demonstrate the appropriate and safe use of basic diagnostic and electronic-testing equipment, such as multimeters and power supplies.
• Promote repair, reuse, and refurbishment as direct alternatives to premature disposal where safe, viable, and technically appropriate. C. Circular Innovation Clubs Support
• Provide practical, technical, and troubleshooting support to participating regional Circular Innovation Clubs.
• Assist clubs in planning manageable experimentation activities and maintaining simple records of their ongoing innovation process.
• Conduct or support introductory technical mentoring sessions and design-thinking reviews for active club members.
• Help clubs identify local environmental challenges related to mobile devices, electronics, and electronic waste (e-waste) that could be explored through hardware innovation.
• Identify promising club-level concepts for further testing, refined prototyping, or advanced mentoring at the central UniPod.
• Help strengthen functional links and communication pathways between the regional Circular Innovation Clubs, partner universities, and the main Samsung Lab. D. Core Engineering and Technical Support Focus Areas
• Deliver technical support in basic electronics, breadboarding, and analog or digital circuit testing.
• Advise learners on computer and mobile-device hardware architectures, modules, and sub-systems.
• Assist with sensors, microcontrollers (such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi), and introductory embedded systems programming.
• Facilitate hardware prototyping, testing, schematic reading, and general hardware troubleshooting.
• Support basic soldering, desoldering, and safe electronic component replacement under appropriate laboratory supervision.
• Assist with digital fabrication tools and the development of simple enclosures or prototype casings where relevant.
• Embed component reuse, repairability, energy efficiency, and circular product design thinking into all engineering processes. E. Training, Documentation, and Equipment Support
• Assist facilitators and technical experts during practical technical trainings, bootcamps, hackathons, and technology demonstrations.
• Develop simple technical notes, hardware checklists, safety sheets, and demonstration materials for student learners.
• Maintain basic, accurate records of supported experiments, developed prototypes, diagnostic results, and technical lessons learned.
• Work closely with the Facility Manager to identify specialized tools, components, and consumables required for scheduled experiments and training blocks.
• Provide user safety orientation before participants handle technical equipment and promptly report any discovered equipment faults. F. Circular Economy and Responsible Technology
• Integrate repair, reuse, refurbishment, and responsible material recovery pathways into all technical learning activities and lab exercises.
• Encourage young innovators to consider the full lifecycle, carbon footprint, and overall environmental impact of electronic products.
• Support local awareness campaigns, community workshops, and academic activities focused on e-waste, responsible consumption, and sustainable electronics.
• Promote safe, non-toxic handling of electronic components and hazardous e-waste in strict accordance with project procedures. 4. Expected Results
• Circular Innovation Clubs receive regular, practical technical and experimentation support.
• Young innovators are better able to convert ideas into structured experiments and early prototypes.
• Technical learning on mobile hardware, electronics, repair and circularity is strengthened.
• Experiments and prototypes are documented in a consistent and useful manner.
• Promising innovations are identified for further development through the UniPod and project ecosystem.

Competencies and values

Hands-on interest in electronics, computer hardware and engineering experimentation.

• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to students and non-specialists.
• Curiosity, practical problem-solving and willingness to learn through experimentation.
• Basic laboratory discipline and commitment to safety.
• Good documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with young innovators and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong interest in sustainable technology and circular economy.

Living conditions and remarks

Freetown is a vibrant, hilly city, with a population of just over one million. Set on a peninsula, you can see the sea from almost any point in the city and you are never far away from some spectacular beaches for swimming and surfing. There are good supermarkets and restaurants, and mobile and internet services are available for a fair price. The number of international flight connections to Sierra Leone is increasing, with more airlines flying to Europe and within Africa. The general security situation is peaceful, and the overall Security Level in Sierra Leone is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system. Crime is classified as moderate, with incidents primarily related to property thefts, house break-ins and robberies. Housing in Freetown ranges from independent houses to apartments - available furnished and un-furnished. Most long-stay accommodation are rented by the year or the half-year. Most staff stay in apartments, which come equipped with generators, a water supply, and security guards. The housing situation is constantly improving, with new apartment complexes being built to an increasingly high standard. There are a limited number of international schools in Freetown, with options including American and British international schools, as well as a few smaller independent schools which follow either American or British curricula. UN staff children attend a variety of schools. Staff can access a limited number of healthcare facilities. Access to healthcare in Sierra Leone can be limited, particularly in rural areas. It is essential to have adequate health insurance coverage before moving to the country. Local clinics and hospitals are available but may not offer the same standard of care as in developed countries. Take preventative measures, such as vaccinations and regular check-ups, to maintain your health. Conditions of Service Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the Inter-national Civil Service Commission (ICSC and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.