Project Management Office (PMO) - Specialist [Digital Harms and Emerging Technologies Expert] - Retainer

Job Highlight

Under UNOPS supervision, the incumbent will support thought leadership and practical innovation on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in PCVE, shaping global policy, strengthening institutional readiness, and supporting safer digital ecosystems.

This position supports the implementation of UNOCT/UNCCT’s Global PCVE Programme, specifically under its Emerging Threats and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Portfolio of activities.

The role contributes to advancing UNOCT's work on digital harms, emerging technologies and digital ecosystems in PCVE, with a focus on:

• understanding the opportunities, risks and challenges associated with emerging technologies and digital ecosystems in the context of preventing and countering violent extremism;
• analysing how digital harms, including online exploitation, manipulation, evolving radicalization to violence pathways, and the misuse of emerging technologies, may influence terrorism and violent extremism, as it relates to PCVE;
• supporting the development of evidence-based policy guidance, practical tools and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen Member States' ability to prevent and respond to evolving digital threats while promoting responsible, rights-based and context-sensitive approaches.
  
  

The Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist – Digital Harms and Emerging Technologies Expert (Retainer) will support the development of applied research, policy guidance, technical resources, capacity-building initiatives and knowledge products relating to digital harms, emerging technologies and digital ecosystems within the context of preventing and countering violent extremism.

Role Purpose

The Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist – Digital Harms and Emerging Technologies Expert (Retainer) will provide substantive technical expertise and programme support to design, implement, and translate research, policy, and capacity-building activities relating to digital harms, emerging technologies and digital ecosystems within the context of preventing and countering violent extremism.

Depending on programme requirements, assignments may support one or more of the following thematic areas, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), gaming ecosystems, online platforms, digital communities and other emerging technologies relevant to PCVE.

The role may support any of the following:

• Evidence generation, including research, stakeholder consultations, data collection and analysis, and the development of analytical reports on the opportunities, risks and challenges associated with AI, gaming ecosystems and other emerging technologies in the context of PCVE.
• Programme delivery, including the design and delivery of technical workshops, trainings, expert consultations, stakeholder dialogues and other capacity-building and visibility initiatives.
• Policy and knowledge development, including the preparation of policy guidance, recommendations, technical guidance, toolkits, training curricula and other knowledge products to support evidence-based policy and practice.
  
  

The Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist – Digital Harms and Emerging Technologies Expert (Retainer) will ensure that all outputs are methodologically rigorous, operationally relevant, and aligned with international human rights standards and UNOCT priorities, while promoting responsible, rights-based and context-sensitive approaches to addressing digital harms associated with AI, gaming ecosystems and other emerging technologies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Expected functions may include the following:

• Development and Planning
• Provide technical input into the design and implementation of activities related to digital harms, emerging technologies and digital ecosystems in PCVE, ensuring alignment with project objectives, donor requirements, and UNOCT priorities.
• Develop research frameworks and methodologies to assess the risks, opportunities and implications of artificial intelligence (AI), gaming ecosystems and other emerging technologies in the context of preventing and countering violent extremism.
• Design and deliver targeted capacity-building activities, technical briefings and learning initiatives to strengthen Member States' and practitioners' understanding of emerging digital threats and opportunities.
• Support PCVE-relevant stakeholder mapping across governments, academia, civil society, international organizations and private sector actors, including technology companies, AI developers, gaming stakeholders and online platforms.
• Project Set-Up and Closure
• Design and implement research activities, technical assessments, consultations and other project activities to inform evidence-based programming and tailored technical support.
• Provide technical advisory support to partner institutions, including the development of policy recommendations, technical guidance, training materials, toolkits and other knowledge products relating to digital harms, AI, gaming ecosystems and other emerging technologies.
• Facilitate coordination with stakeholders, including Member States, international organizations, civil society, academia, technology companies and other relevant partners.
• Support the development and delivery of project activities, including expert consultations, workshops, stakeholder dialogues, training programmes and other capacity-building initiatives.
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of data collected through research, consultations and project implementation activities.
• Produce high-quality analytical outputs, including policy reports, policy briefs, guidance documents, recommendations and presentations.
• Translate technical and policy insights into practical, user-oriented recommendations and tools for policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders.
• Support reporting to donors and internal stakeholders, ensuring outputs are accurate, results-oriented and aligned with project frameworks.
• Quality Assurance
• Ensure that all outputs meet high standards of analytical rigor, methodological soundness, and policy relevance.
• Apply human rights-based, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive approaches across all activities and deliverables.
• Integrate principles of responsible technology use, including considerations related to transparency, accountability, and risk mitigation.
• Review and refine project outputs to ensure clarity, usability, and alignment with UN standards and best practices.
• Knowledge Building and Sharing
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products and practical tools (e.g. assessments, guidance frameworks, toolkits) to support institutional capacity and decision-making.
• Support the design and delivery of trainings, workshops, and learning initiatives to strengthen stakeholder capacity, including on governance, risk management, and responsible technology use.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange through stakeholder dialogues, policy discussions, and participation in relevant global or regional forums.
• Document lessons learned and emerging practices to inform future programming, policy development, and scaling efforts.
  
  

Education Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, security studies, social sciences, technology policy, organisational management, or related field with five (5) years of relevant experience is required. OR;
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in international relations, political science, security studies, social sciences, technology policy, organisational management, or related field with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desired.
  
  

Required

Experience Requirements

• Relevant experience is considered progressively responsible experience in preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE), counter-terrorism, digital harms, trust & safety, emerging technologies, digital ecosystems, or related fields.
• Experience in research design, analysis, and the production of policy-relevant knowledge products, including analytical reports, policy guidance, recommendations or technical resources, is required.
• Experience working on any of the following: artificial intelligence (AI), gaming ecosystems, digital platforms, online communities, OSINT, online investigations, or other emerging technologies, including their opportunities, risks and implications for policy, governance or prevention programming, is required.
• Experience supporting the design and implementation of technical assistance, policy development, stakeholder engagement, research projects, operational guidance, or capacity-building initiatives is required.
  
  

Desired

• Experience engaging in multi-stakeholder environments, including advising governments, international organizations, civil society, and private sector/tech actors is desired.
• Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, including training or learning tools is desired.
• Experience translating complex technical concepts into accessible and user-centered content for non-technical audiences would be an asset.
• Experience working with digital communities or prevention-focused programming would be an asset.
• Experience within the United Nations or similar international organizations would be an asset.