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

Organization: UNOPS Closing date: 12 Aug 2026 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. Job Specific Context The United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. UNOCT has five mandated functions: (1) Provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General from across the United Nations system; (2) Enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; (3) Strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (4) Improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (5) Ensure that due priority is given to counterterrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy. 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. Experience Requirements Required • 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. Language Requirements English - fluent (required) How to apply For more information and how to apply, please follow the link: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/3803