UNDP Digital Public Infrastructure Advisor – Africa – Home-Based International Opportunity
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Digital Public Infrastructure Advisor – Africa. The international opportunity is based remotely, with an additional location listed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offers a one-year International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-12).
The position is part of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa and focuses on advancing digital public infrastructure (DPI) across sub-Saharan Africa. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of digital transformation, governance, data protection, public policy and inclusive development.
The vacancy is open to Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2 applicants, making it important for candidates to review UNDP’s tiered eligibility requirements before applying. The application deadline is 14 November 2026.
About the Position
UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa supports 46 Country Offices across sub-Saharan Africa. Its 2026–2029 regional programme places digital public infrastructure at the centre of efforts to advance prosperity, governance, crisis resilience and sustainable development.
The Digital Public Infrastructure Advisor will work within the DPI Safeguards Team and serve as an operational bridge between UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation Hub and the Regional Bureau for Africa.
The role involves supporting country readiness assessments, national implementation roadmaps and the Africa DPI Accelerator. A major focus will be ensuring that digital infrastructure is developed with safeguards relating to data privacy, digital rights, inclusive governance and responsible technology.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will provide strategic and technical leadership across several areas.
Regional DPI Strategy
The Advisor will help align the Africa DPI Accelerator with UNDP’s regional priorities, including digital identity, digital payments and data exchange. The work will support sectors such as health, agriculture, financial inclusion, livelihoods, climate and digital trade.
Country Readiness and Implementation
The position will support DPI readiness assessments in priority countries and identify opportunities to close digital divides. The Advisor will also contribute to national digital transformation strategies and implementation roadmaps.
Safeguarding Digital Infrastructure
A central responsibility will be integrating safeguards into digital systems throughout their lifecycle. This includes data privacy, digital rights and inclusive governance, with the objective of ensuring that digital transformation does not increase inequality or compromise human rights.
Partnerships and Financing
The Advisor will build partnerships with the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and Smart Africa, while supporting resource mobilisation through concept notes, funding proposals and blended-finance approaches.
The role will also engage innovation ecosystems, including startups and technology hubs, and support knowledge-sharing initiatives across Africa.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants must have an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree, in fields including international development, international relations, governance, public policy, public administration, political science, law, human rights, economics or social sciences.
A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields may be considered with an additional two years of qualifying experience.
Candidates with a master’s degree require at least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience, while bachelor’s degree holders require 12 years. Experience should be relevant to regional or multi-country programmes, governance, digital transformation, public policy or related development fields.
Required and Desired Experience
Candidates should demonstrate experience supporting digital, data or technology programmes in development settings, particularly where governance and implementation are involved. Experience managing partnerships involving governments, regional organisations, private-sector stakeholders and development partners is also required.
Additional experience in digital identity, digital payments, data exchange, digital platforms, responsible technology, data protection and digital rights would be an advantage.
Experience working with the UN system, African Union, regional bodies or African countries is also desirable. Candidates with experience in resource mobilisation, multi-country programme management, policy advisory work and consultant management may be particularly well suited to the position.
Key Details
Position: Digital Public Infrastructure Advisor – Africa
Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Location: Home-Based / Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract: International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-12)
Duration: One year
Grade: IPSA-12
Experience: 10 years with a master’s or 12 years with a bachelor’s
Language: English required
Application deadline: 14 November 2026
Eligibility: Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2 applicants
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Why Apply?
This opportunity is particularly relevant for senior professionals working across digital transformation, governance, public policy, development and technology.
The successful candidate will contribute to digital infrastructure initiatives spanning 46 countries while helping ensure that digital transformation is inclusive, responsible and aligned with human rights and good governance principles.
Qualified professionals interested in shaping Africa’s digital development agenda should review the eligibility requirements carefully and submit their application before the deadline.
