Sofia Silva
Data Management and Results Monitoring Reporting Officer at Cabo Verde
Why did you decide on a career at the UN?
I chose a career at the United Nations because I deeply believe in the UN’s mission to advance sustainable development, equality, and human dignity. Working within the UN system allows me to contribute to tangible change at both national and global levels—connecting innovation, data, and human-centered approaches to improve lives. I’m particularly inspired by the UN’s capacity to bring together diverse partners around shared goals and by its commitment to digital transformation as a driver of inclusion and resilience. For me, being part of the UN means using my skills in data, digitalization, and strategy to help translate global values into local impact.
What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?
Two of my favorite technology initiatives have been the ConVida Project and the iParticipate Platform, both of which I had the opportunity to coordinate within the UN system.
As part of the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Cabo Verde, I worked on ConVida, a digital solution developed to support the Government in communicating with citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. The platform provided trusted information, enabled citizens to safely request services, and became a game-changer in managing public communication and service delivery during the emergency.
Later, with the UNDP–EU Joint Task Force on Electoral Assistance (JTF) in Brussels, I contributed to the iParticipate Platform, implemented in Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, and Fiji. This platform empowers young people to participate in public life, share verified information, and combat misinformation through a youth-driven, adaptive approach using an app and social media.
In both projects, my role focused on project coordination, user-centric design, and strategic engagement with national counterparts to ensure sustainability and impact.
What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?
We can! Women have unique attributes—creativity, empathy, resilience, and strong organizational and systematic thinking—that make us powerful contributors in technology. What we often need is not more ability, but more opportunity, time, and supportive environments that allow us to perform in our own way. So, if technology excites you, go for it. Dream big, work hard, and shine. Our perspective matters, and our presence can redefine what innovation looks like.