Project Manager and Expert, Digital Identity and Digital Trust Services - 1 position, Guimaraes, Portugal

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Office/Institute

UNU-EGOV is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. 

The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), based in the city of Guimarães, north of Portugal, is one of 14 research and training Institutes and Units that comprise the UNU system.   The mission of UNU-EGOV is to support the Member States of the United Nations in transforming the mechanisms of governance and building effective governance capabilities through strategic applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to contribute to sustainable development, social inclusion and active citizenship. As a think tank and research unit, UNU-GOV combines both classical research and consultancy projects.

 In fulfilment of its purpose, UNU-EGOV:

•     carries out policy-relevant research;

•     translates research findings into relevant policy instruments;

•     builds capacity in localizing and applying such instruments within and among governments, client,s and partners within the UN system, academic and other relevant organizations;

•     builds and maintains research and policy networks to share the lessons learnt, foster mutual learning, and bridge research and policy worlds; and

•     monitors, evaluates and disseminates the latest developments in the area.

Responsibilities

UNU-EGOV is seeking an experienced expert and project manager in relation to two new projects on digital identity and digital trust services.

The two high-impact projects will strengthen the legal, strategic, and technical foundations for digital identity and trust services in a large, high-income MENA country.

Project 1 focuses on assessing and modernizing legislative and regulatory frameworks, benchmarking international practices, increasing adoption of digital services, and enhancing the country’s performance in global digital governance indices (e.g., UN EGDI, ITU).

Project 2 aims to create internationally aligned trust lists for digital identity and trust service providers, fostering interoperability, cross-border recognition (especially within GCC and with the EU), and secure public-private service integration.

The two projects run in parallel and are central to realizing the objectives of the national digital transformation strategies and the national vision for digital transformation and socio-economic growth, and align with global trends in digital public infrastructure (DPI), cross-border interoperability and recognition of digital identity, digital trust services and trusted digital ecosystems.

The successful candidate will work on two projects related to the improving the national approach to digital identity and trust services in a Middle Eastern country, including the assessment of governance, compliance, regulatory approaches, the technical ecosystem in the public and private sector, and develop national and regional trust lists for cross-border data exchange and recognition of digital identities and digital trust services.

The two projects are for the same government client and in partnership with a local implementation partner.

The responsibilities related to the two projects include:

• Lead and manage complex project activities with a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary team (incl. national authorities, technical and topical experts and researchers).

• Oversee and contribute to the development and quality control of:

  The drafting of legislative and regulatory recommendations for digital identities, digital signatures, trust services, and interoperability frameworks.

  The analysis of international models (e.g. EU eIDAS, G20 High-Level Principles on Digital Identity) standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 24760: Identity Management Standards, WebTrust Assurance Framework) and national approaches (e.g. Denmark, South Korea).

  The design of a national compliance audit framework, guidelines and training sessions for auditors. 

  The design and validate trust lists and frameworks that support GCC-wide and international mutual recognition.

  Support the development of strategies for improving international rankings and digital trust adoption domestically.

• Coordinate the design and delivery of workshops, stakeholder consultations, and high-level advisory sessions.

• Liaise with:

  Project partner, technical teams to ensure the feasibility of the digital identity /trust service architecture and integration.

  Project client.

• Deliver high-quality reports, actionable and prioritized policy recommendations, action, audit methodologies, and national key performance indicators.

The successful candidate will be integrated into UNU-EGOV’s thematic area for Digital governance frameworks: Strategic regulations and monitoring. The successful candidate will report to the coordinator of the thematic area on the two projects, as well as other job-related issues.

Key performance indicators

• Quality of scientific and policy-oriented research produced.

• Publication record and quality of the reports and other documents produced.

• Timely and quality development and implementation of projects.

• Quality and level of engagement with all partners, including a strong commitment level to contribute to UNU-EGOV being perceived as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• Master’s degree in public policy, Law, Digital Governance, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Information Security, or related discipline.

2) Required skills and experience

• 5 - 15 years of progressively responsible experience in project management -ideally in digital transformation, public sector innovation, or legal/technical reform in multi-stakeholder contexts.

• Deep understanding of digital identity and digital trust service ecosystems, trust frameworks, public key infrastructure (PKI) infrastructure, digital signatures, and authentication protocols.

• Knowledge of relevant legal and interoperability standards (e.g., eIDAS, ISO 29115/24760, GDPR, NIST).

• Experience working with or advising governments, especially in cross-border or inter-agency cooperation contexts.

• Strong strategic thinking, policy drafting, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Excellent communication and report-writing in English.

• Demonstrated ability to manage culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the EU and MENA region regulatory landscape and digital government strategies.

• Experience in preparing UN-aligned assessments, digital maturity evaluations, or trust service audits.

• Knowledge of digital public infrastructure (DPI), digital wallets, digital onboarding, and GDC-aligned approaches.

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of Arabic, French, Spanish or Portuguese is an asset.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of CTC holders.

Any payable taxes, medical and life insurance related to services resulting from sickness and accident during the stay at UNU-EGOV will be the applicant’s own responsibility.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, between EUR 2,700 - EUR 5,000 per month (before tax), depending on qualifications.

The successful candidate shall work under a Consultant Contract (CTC) for a period of one year (renewable).

The successful candidate will be working full time, 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday, working hours aligned with the GMT time zone unless otherwise agreed.

Regarding the work arrangement, it is a hybrid model, home-based or in the UNU-EGOV office in Guimaraes, Portugal.

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave or sick leave.

Travel considerations

Some work-related travel may be required on an ad hoc and as-needed basis (missions to client sites, meetings, etc).

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel.

However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel costs will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Economy class travel between the home location and Guimarães and accommodation in Guimarães will be provided if the candidate is requested to come to Guimarães.

In addition to the remuneration and the travel costs reimbursement, UNU-EGOV will provide accommodation to the relocated candidate for the time required to be in office in Guimaraes, Portugal.

Expected start date

Immediate.

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link.

• Fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations).

• Provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form, section 23).

• Submit a cover letter.

• Provide two references and

• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

29 August 2025

Submissions must be received by [11:59, WEST] on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position. Consultants do not hold international civil servant status, nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU 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 UNU.

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