In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Within the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, expertise on digital transformation, digital finance, innovation, and frontier technologies is delivered through complementary teams, including the Sustainable Finance Hub (hosting the Better than Cash Alliance and the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IIPCSD) digital finance team) and the Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab). Together, these teams contribute to UNDP's broader digital economy agenda by advancing policy, innovation, partnerships, and country implementation.
Since 2015, UNDP has been pioneering blockchain and frontier technologies for sustainable development through AltFinLab, a flagship initiative that designs innovative financing mechanisms blending public, private, and commercial capital to accelerate progress toward the SDGs. The Lab manages key programmes such as the SDG Blockchain Accelerator (supporting more than 40 blockchain use cases), the Government Blockchain Academy (launching country programmes in 2026), and the UNDP Blockchain Academy (training more than 500 UN personnel globally). These initiatives generate practical evidence and scalable solutions that contribute to UNDP's wider work on digital finance, financial inclusion, and digital economies across the organization.
In partnership with the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), UNDP is advancing a blockchain-based digital payments solution tailored for economies facing structural challenges. Through research across 17 countries, stakeholder consultations, workshops, and the identification and implementation of pilot projects in five countries Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala, and Gambia UNDP address critical issues such as financial inclusion, transparency, and economic resilience. By providing access to secure and transparent digital payment systems, UNDP and SDF aim to empower individuals and businesses in these regions to participate more fully in the formal economy, thereby promoting financial inclusion and enhancing economic stability. Moreover, the versatility of this solution extends beyond traditional payment methods, offering promising applications in various sectors. From aiding agencies' provision of assistance to internally displaced persons, refugees, and other beneficiaries, to empowering diaspora communities in facilitating increased remittances and support to their home countries, the potential impact of this solution is vast and far-reaching. The initiative also explores applications ranging from humanitarian cash assistance for internally displaced persons and refugees to facilitating remittances and diaspora engagement, contributing lessons that complement the work of the Better than Cash Alliance and SFH digital finance portfolio.
In parallel, SDG Blockchain Accelerator acts as a lab for experimentation, where teams can test solutions on remittances, humanitarian aid, or climate action, ensuring scalability and alignment with development priorities.
Based at the Istanbul Regional Hub, the Digital Economies Analyst supports the implementation and coordination of this portfolio by connecting country pilots with UNDP's broader regional and global digital economy agenda. The role works closely with colleagues across AltFinLab, the Sustainable Finance Hub, the Better than Cash Alliance, IIPCSD, Europe and CIS region, and country offices to ensure that blockchain-enabled digital payments and frontier finance initiatives are aligned with UNDP's strategic priorities, including the recommendations of the UNDP Blockchain Advisory Group on digital financial inclusion.
Key responsibilities of Digital Economies Analyst:
- Provide operational support to at least 5 UNDP Country Offices across the Europe and CIS region, and 8 UNDP country office globally on digital payment pilots from proof‑of‑concept to institutional deployment;
- Coordinate with at least 15 solution makers, at least 10 country office teams, and at least 3 government actors to resolve implementation barriers and sustain deployment momentum;
- Track at least 5 pilot projects progress against milestones, identifying risks and escalating issues requiring strategic or managerial intervention;
- Develop 3 replication packages (one for each payment category not limited to: cross border remittences, stablecoin payment rails, and SME miniloans support) and enable knowledge exchange by documenting technical designs, operational procedures, lessons learned, and connecting implementing and potential replication countries.
- Facilitate access to government counterparts, local institutions, and civil society, so the research stays aligned with national development frameworks and host country priorities;
- Oversee research ethics, including informed consent developed with local communities and compliance with UNDP data governance standards;
- Provide datasets from completed SDG Blockchain Accelerator pilots as the starting point for the research;
- Lead the impact assessment, measuring outputs against SDG targets;
- Identify at least 5 UN programmes or country initiatives that can pilot blockchain solutions.
- Contribute to the co-creation of the curriculum for Cohort 3, ensuring content is practical, relevant, and aligned with innovation and sustainable development priorities;
- Support the participant selection process by reviewing applications, and helping identify high-potential country office;
- Support matchmaking between country offices and blockchain solution makers, ensuring strong alignment between development challenges, technical expertise, and programme objectives;
- Serve as the main focal point for matched teams, providing ongoing guidance, troubleshooting support, and coordination throughout the accelerator journey;
- Support in collecting lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations to strengthen future cohorts and improve programme design and delivery.
- Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision;
Organize training for on ICT issues;
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices directly linked to ICT management;
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Analyst will work under the coordination of a Project Manager.
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Digital & Innovation
Blockchain Advice
Co-creation
Creative facilitation
Digital thought leadership
Data:
Data analysis
Business Development:
Knowledge Facilitation
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Science or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in Financial technologies.
- Experience working with financial technologies;
- Experience with digital transformation on a national level;
- Experience in working with UNDP or UN organizations;
- Experience in partnership or stakeholder engagement with multiple blockchain ecosystems and familiarity with their applications (e.g., digital payment, supply chain, financial inclusion);
- Experience implementing hackathons or capacity building in collaboration with diverse actors across the innovation ecosystem, addressing development issues.
- Fluency in English is required.
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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