The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking applications for a Digital Economies Analyst to support its growing portfolio of digital transformation, blockchain, digital finance and frontier technology initiatives. The position is home-based and is open to both internal and external applicants.
The successful candidate will work under the coordination of a Project Manager and contribute to the implementation, coordination and scale-up of digital payment initiatives and blockchain-enabled development solutions. The role offers an opportunity to work across UNDP country offices, government stakeholders, technology providers and innovation ecosystems to advance digital financial inclusion and sustainable development.
The position carries an International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-8) and has an initial one-year contract.
Position Details
- Position: Digital Economies Analyst
- Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Location: Home-based
- Practice Area: Innovation
- Bureau: Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS
- Contract Type: International Personnel Service Agreement
- Grade: IPSA-8
- Contract Duration: 1 year
- Job Identification: 36080
- Schedule: Full-time
- Application Deadline: August 29, 2026
- Required Language: English
Background and Programme Context
The role is situated within UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub, where teams working on digital transformation, digital finance, innovation and frontier technologies support the organisation’s broader digital economy agenda.
UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) has been pioneering the use of blockchain and frontier technologies for sustainable development since 2015. The Lab develops innovative financing mechanisms that bring together public, private and commercial capital to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Among its initiatives are the SDG Blockchain Accelerator, which has supported more than 40 blockchain use cases, the Government Blockchain Academy and the UNDP Blockchain Academy, which has trained more than 500 UN personnel globally.
UNDP is also working with the Stellar Development Foundation to advance blockchain-based digital payment solutions for economies facing structural challenges. Research across 17 countries, stakeholder consultations and pilot projects in Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala and The Gambia are being used to explore solutions related to financial inclusion, transparency, economic resilience, humanitarian assistance and remittances.
Key Responsibilities
The Digital Economies Analyst will support UNDP country offices in implementing blockchain-based digital payment solutions and scaling successful models.
Key duties will include:
- Providing operational support to at least five UNDP Country Offices across Europe and the CIS and eight country offices globally.
- Coordinating with solution providers, country teams and government stakeholders to address implementation challenges.
- Tracking pilot projects against milestones and identifying risks requiring intervention.
- Identifying additional country offices that could benefit from validated digital payment models.
- Developing replication packages covering areas such as cross-border remittances, stablecoin payment infrastructure and SME financing.
- Documenting technical designs, operational procedures, lessons learned and best practices.
- Supporting knowledge exchange between implementing and potential replication countries.
The Analyst will also coordinate applied research on blockchain-enabled digital economies and payment solutions. This will involve engaging government counterparts, local institutions and civil society organisations, ensuring research aligns with national development frameworks and priorities.
Additional responsibilities will include supporting research ethics, data governance, impact assessments and the identification of UN programmes that could pilot blockchain solutions.
SDG Blockchain Accelerator
A significant component of the role involves supporting the SDG Blockchain Accelerator.
The Analyst will contribute to the development of the curriculum for the third cohort, participate in the review and selection of applications, and help match UNDP country offices with suitable blockchain solution providers.
The successful candidate will serve as a focal point for matched teams, providing coordination, troubleshooting and ongoing guidance throughout the accelerator process.
The role will also involve documenting lessons learned and best practices to strengthen future cohorts and improve the design and delivery of the programme.
Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
The Digital Economies Analyst will contribute to knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing activities across the programme.
Responsibilities will include identifying effective systems and applications for content and knowledge management, organising ICT-related training, synthesising lessons learned and contributing to professional knowledge networks and communities of practice.
The position requires an individual who can translate complex digital and technological developments into practical knowledge that can support policymakers, development practitioners and country-level implementation teams.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should hold an advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or equivalent, in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, Health Sciences or a related field.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in one of these areas may also be considered if they have at least two years of qualifying professional experience.
For master’s degree holders, professional experience is not mandatory. Bachelor’s degree applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional experience in financial technologies.
Desired Experience and Skills
Experience in financial technology and digital transformation will be highly advantageous. Candidates with experience working with UNDP or other UN organisations may also have an advantage.
The position particularly values experience involving:
- Financial technologies and digital payment solutions.
- National-level digital transformation.
- Blockchain ecosystems and their applications.
- Digital payments and financial inclusion.
- Supply-chain applications of blockchain.
- Partnership and stakeholder engagement.
- Hackathons and innovation programmes.
- Capacity building involving diverse innovation ecosystem actors.
- Research into emerging digital technologies and trends.
Candidates should understand how blockchain technology works and be able to advise on its opportunities and challenges for governments and societies.
Strong data analysis skills are also required, including the ability to extract, analyse and visualise data to generate meaningful insights.
Core Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to achieve results, think innovatively, learn continuously, adapt to changing circumstances and work with determination.
Strong partnership and engagement skills are essential, particularly because the position involves collaboration with government institutions, UNDP offices, technology providers and other stakeholders across different countries and sectors.
The candidate should also demonstrate respect for diversity and inclusion and be capable of facilitating collaborative processes involving stakeholders with different backgrounds, perspectives and levels of technical expertise.
Application Information
The position is open to internal and external applicants. UNDP applies a tiered recruitment approach to many vacancies, and candidates should carefully review the eligibility requirements associated with the vacancy before applying.
Fluency in English is required.
UNDP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Recruitment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the position.
Candidates should also be aware that UNDP does not charge fees at any stage of its recruitment process. Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent recruitment communications requesting payments or personal financial information.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official UNDP Careers recruitment platform before the August 29, 2026 deadline at 05:59.
This position is particularly suited to professionals with expertise in financial technology, blockchain, digital transformation, innovation, digital payments and international development who are interested in applying emerging technologies to global development challenges.
