What if you could combine what truly excites you with work aligned with sustainable development?

That’s exactly what Loïc Modoux found at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This Swiss professional supports institutional capacity building in the field of AI governance, working directly with parliamentarians to anchor digital regulation in the principles of human rights and democratic accountability.

His story shows how UNDP offers unique opportunities to “change the world” while developing your passion.

When an Apprenticeship Leads to Diplomacy

Loïc Modoux began his career like many Swiss students, with a commercial apprenticeship. “At 16, I wasn’t sure which path to take,” he recalls. During his apprenticeship, he became interested in IT and economics. Later, during his civil service, he discovered something that truly excited him: the digitalization of public services. “I started exploring public policy and its connection to citizens. This intersection between technology and democracy fascinated me.”

Following this, Loïc pursued studies in political science and international relations at (IHEID in Geneva). During this period, he completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Computer Science to further strengthen his technical expertise.
A coherent path—but something was still missing.

Finding His Place: UNDP as a Unique Opportunity

“I was looking for something else,” Loïc says candidly. “I saw an opening for the FDFA Civil Peace Promotion Expert Pool for deployment with UNDP, focusing on the intersection of democracy and emerging technologies.”

“This opportunity was exactly what I was looking for—not just a new job, but the chance to work on what truly excites me, on a global scale.”

“I’m a millennial; I grew up with technology. I got my first iPhone at 18—it was early at the time—and I was thrilled about what it allowed: to access information, to connect,” he recalls. “I think it democratized access to information.”

In Switzerland, he saw how digital tools made democracy more accessible. “Everything comes to your home; you can access information online, there’s an app with all the details about voting projects. It reaches far more people than before. This conviction—that technology can truly expand access to democracy—has become the core of my work.”

What UNDP Makes Possible (That Few Organizations Can)

Today, Loïc is a Digital Specialist within UNDP’s Governance and Democratic Institutions team. “My role is to help democratic institutions use digital tools or address digital risks,” he explains.

A few months ago, Loïc was in Uruguay. For three days, he and colleagues from the UNDP Digital, AI, and Innovation Hub trained parliamentarians and their staff on artificial intelligence. The goal? To give them “an understanding of digital issues as legislators.” What is AI? What trade-offs exist when a parliament must regulate this technology? How should it be applied? “The idea is to give them the keys to make informed decisions.”

Together with UNESCO, UNDP has developed a digital media and information literacy program for youth. “The aim is to strengthen young people’s critical thinking toward social media content, helping them identify misinformation and access information responsibly.” In four pilot countries, young trained “coaches” share these skills within their networks, reaching hundreds of peers.

His team also analyzes the information environment during elections—detecting misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech—to inform public policy. With tools like (eMonitor+)—UNDP’s main social media analysis software—this work is conducted in over thirty countries.

Evaluating the digital readiness of electoral commissions is another key activity. “We review internal governance, risk management measures, to see if they are truly prepared for digital challenges.”

What could have remained a personal passion—the intersection of democracy and technology—has become work that impacts millions.