Digital Engagement Officer

UNICEF BTN organization mission TBD

The assignment focuses on embracing an inclusive approach to technology and innovation for a more equitable digital evolution. UNICEF Bhutan emphasizes addressing disparities in digital access, with a particular focus on marginalized children, especially girls. The objectives include providing individuals with access to affordable devices and connectivity, digital platforms and relatable content, along with digital literacy and online safety skills. UNICEF’s expertise in digital programming highlights three critical areas:

• Ensuring equitable access and connectivity to digital technologies.
• Promoting comprehensive digital skills development, including digital literacy and online safety skills.
• Establishing safe and secure digital learning environments, achieved through collaboration with families and communities to facilitate digital learning and improve access for all individuals.

Under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist, Head of Education, the UN volunteer will focus on two distinct areas:

A. Digitalization in Education
B. UNICEF Bhutan’s overall T4D initiatives

A. Digitalization in Education: Working closely with the Education Officer (Digitalization Project), the UN Volunteer will:

1. Contribute to Knowledge Management for Innovative Solutions and Digital transformation:
a. Assist in exploring innovative solutions used across South Asia and globally to address the digital divide including affordable devices and connectivity, digital platforms and content, digital literacy programmes, and online safety measures for Bhutan.
b. Develop and maintain a repository of best practices, research findings, and case studies related to digital transformation efforts in Bhutan and South Asia.
c. Share the information on innovative solutions, best practices and research with relevant UNICEF staff and partners to build knowledge on digital transformation and innovative solutions.
d. Document innovative solutions and lessons learnt related to enhancing learning and skills development starting from the earliest years till young adulthood.

2. Support Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:
a. Actively support UNICEF’s efforts to partner with various stakeholders, including mobile network operators, device marketplaces, technology companies, and industry associations.
b. Identify potential new partners, including private sector entities, NGOs, and governmental organizations, and facilitate their engagement in UNICEF’s digital initiatives.
c. Document successful partnership models and prepare the materials for communication to internal and external stakeholders to build momentum and showcase impact.
d. Assist in developing and implementing a fundraising strategy to secure resources for digital transformation initiatives, focusing on innovative financing mechanisms, grants, and partnerships.

3. Support the drafting of funding proposals, concept notes, and grant applications to donors, foundations, and international organizations to secure funding for digital transformation initiatives.

B: UNICEF Bhutan’s overall T4D initiatives: Working closely with the T4D officer (IT), the UN volunteer will:

4. Provide support to Programmes for T4D initiatives.
a. Assist in developing and coordinating multi-sectoral initiatives included in the T4D plan, which includes leveraging technology, and supporting UNICEF programme areas including Education, Child Protection, Youth and Adolescent Programme, Health, Nutrition and WASH, Social and Behaviour Change M&E, Social policy and Communications.
b. Lead virtual and face-to-face training, in consultation with the T4D officer, Education Officer (responsible for digitalization in education) and the ADAP programme UNV Specialist, on the rollout of digital tools and skills package through schools implementing the UPSHIFT programme.
c. Support strengthening and streamlining of coding and programming across 13th youth centres.
d. Support use of AI for personalized learning and data generation, processing, analysis.
e. Support capacity building programmes on digital skills for teachers from monastic schools.
f. Support the promotion of child online protection initiative in close collaboration with Child Protection section.
g. Support development and improvement of data management systems and online learning platforms.
h. Contribute to regular updates, reports, and presentations on progress, challenges, and achievements in T4D & digital transformation agenda.
i. Assist in designing and implementing UNICEF’s initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of digital literacy, online child protection, and digital inclusion among chil-dren, parents, and educators.

5. Furthermore, the UN Volunteer is required to strengthen knowledge and understanding of the concepts UNICEF in Bhutan is engaged with such as UPSHIFT and volunteer-ism by participating in the training of UPSHIFT facilitators provided by UNICEF, by getting informed on the AI in education and by reading relevant T4D documents and taking an active part in activities related to T4D.