Data & Innovation Assistant (Malaysian Nationals Only - Open to All Applicants)

Tiered Approach

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:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP multi-country office of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society.

In Malaysia, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Malaysia and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Malaysia Plan. Malaysia is currently implementing the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP), which is anchored around three key themes namely resetting economy, strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country.

The role of the Country Office SDG Impact, Innovation and Finance (SIFI) Unit is to adopt UNDP’s global communication strategy to a local context and the Country Office development priorities. Through data‑driven insights, innovative financing approaches, and strategic partnership development, the SIFI Unit works to position UNDP as a catalyst for systemic, future‑smart development solutions in Malaysia. The Unit strengthens UNDP’s technical leadership by supporting resource mobilization efforts, advancing private sector engagement, and generating knowledge products that inform programming and policy priorities. By integrating research, horizon scanning, stakeholder intelligence, and analytical work, the team supports the Country Office in shaping impactful programme pipelines aligned with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Unit collaborates closely across thematic pillars—including Governance and Inclusive Growth, and Nature, Climate and Energy—as well as with cross‑cutting functions such as Partnerships, Gender, Monitoring, and Communications. UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary and matrixed arrangements to strengthen horizontal collaboration and ensure a coherent, integrated development response.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Data Analytics and Horizon Scanning

• Support the identification and management of data stewards, data sources, and communication plans. 
• Assist in implementing structured horizon scanning by identifying emerging trends and potential disruptions relevant to UNDP’s work. 
• Contribute to the identification and prioritization of signals and trends for the UNDP Futures Network and other innovation platforms. 
• Engage internal and external stakeholders in needs assessment, sense-making, validation of insights, and user acceptance of horizon scanning outputs.
• Support the use of innovative and alternative data sources by identifying and engaging non-traditional data partners, including private sector entities, civil society, media, and local communities. 
• Assist in managing data pilot projects, including providing inputs to partners, and assessing the broader data ecosystem.
• Contribute to advanced data analytics and experimentation by piloting innovative methodologies (e.g., predictive analytics and AI-driven analysis). 
• Experiment with unstructured and localized data while ensuring adherence to ethical standards, privacy safeguards, and responsible data governance. 
• Build capacity on horizon scanning and innovation among Country Office team members.

Research, Insights & Knowledge Management

• Assist in data analysis, interpretation of findings, and development of actionable recommendations for pipeline development and resource mobilization. 
• Conduct research and scoping of case studies, initiatives, and best practices across Country Office portfolios. 
• Translate complex data insights into clear, actionable recommendations and knowledge products. 
• Support knowledge management by maintaining repositories and developing collaterals that effectively communicate UNDP’s achievements and offerings.

Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Resource Mobilization
 

• Support engagement with partners including private sector, civil society, media, and local communities. 
• Assist in organizing stakeholder meetings, workshops, and consultations, including logistics and coordination. 
• Provide administrative and coordination support for resource mobilization and partnership-related activities. 
• Assist in preparing basic inputs for project proposals, reports, and partnership initiatives for pipeline development. 
• Support the planning and delivery of events, including venue arrangements, invitations, participant registration, and follow-ups.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will be under the supervision of the Head of SIFI and will work closely with the operations team, programme colleagues, UNDP HQ and regional, government counterparts, technical experts, financial institutions, private sector partners, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society to ensure the successful implementation of UNDP programmes. 
 

Competencies

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

 

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Development	Knowledge Generation	Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Business Direction and Strategy	Entrepreneurial Thinking	Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management	Digital Awareness and Literacy	Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
Administration & Operations	Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)	Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Finance	Budget Management	Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•    Secondary education is required. 
OR
•    University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Sustainable Development or related fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
 

Experience:

•    Minimum of 4 years (with secondary education) or 1 year (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant data analytics, research, partnerships, or programme support within an international development, private sector, or related analytical environment.  

 

Required skills :

•    Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
 

Desired skills :

•    Experience in engaging technology providers or data stewards on local issues about data sharing, ecosystems, and political/structural/systemic factors affecting data uptake for development is an asset
•    Knowledge of website management tools, proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Canva, Flourish, Power BI, or GIS software) and knowledge of AI, Machine Learning, JavaScript, web scraping, big data, or sentiment analysis is an asset.
•    Experience in facilitating workshops and capacity building sessions is an asset.
•    Experience in policy analysis, pipeline development and/or project management is an advantage
•    Experience in quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, and familiarity with research software (e.g., R, Python, SPSS) is an advantage
 

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English and Bahasa Melayu is required.

 

** This vacancy is open to Malaysian nationals only.

 

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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