Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Researcher , Multiple positions

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting the UN Global Pulse Project carried out for the United Nations Secretariat. The incumbent of this position will hold a UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement under its full responsibility.  The incumbent will report to the Data Innovation Strategist at UN Global Pulse.

Global Pulse is a flagship innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General on big data. Its vision is a future in which big data and AI are harnessed and used responsibly as a public good. Its mission is to accelerate discovery, development and scaled adoption of data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action. To this end, Global Pulse will work to promote awareness of the opportunities Big Data presents for sustainable development and humanitarian action, forge public-private data sharing partnerships, generate high-impact analytical tools and approaches through its network of Pulse Labs, and drive broad adoption of useful innovations across the UN System.

Global Pulse implements data innovation programs through its Pulse Labs to provide UN and development partners with access to the data, tools and expertise required to discover new uses of big data and AI for development. Global Pulse develops policies, toolkits, applications and platforms to improve data-driven decision-making and support the evaluation of promising solutions.

Global Pulse is working on a roadmap for the implementation of AI strategies in Africa, and the work of this consultancy will act as background information for that roadmap.

Global Pulse is seeking a consultant to map out the AI and big data ecosystems of Uganda and Ghana – or two consultants to work on deliverables for their respective countries of focus.

The consultant(s) will execute the following duties:

• Support the organization and act as rapporteur for a workshop on "Governance Strategy on AI" in Kampala, Uganda in April 2019;
• Support the organization and act as rapporteur for a workshop on "AI Applications and Economic Development" in Accra, Ghana in Q3 of 2019;
• Map out the national AI ecosystems of Uganda and Ghana, including but not limited to:
  • the use and creation of state-of-the-art AI technologies
  • local start-ups and industry presence
  • the work and priorities of academic institutions
  • government initiatives relating to AI
  • national economic priorities
  • local capabilities and capacities
  • existing policies and legal frameworks relevant to AI

Outputs

At the end of five (5) months maximum, the consultant(s) will deliver the following activities and products:

• Participate in and report on main discussions and decisions from the workshop on "Governance Strategy on AI" including recommendations.
• Participate in and report on main discussions and decisions from the workshop on "AI Applications and Economic Development" including recommendations.
• Report on the AI ecosystem mapping in Uganda.
• Report on the AI ecosystem mapping in Ghana.

Education: 

Advanced university degree in computer science, engineering, data science, statistics, economics, business administration, social science, public policy or other related disciplines. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• Five years of experience working in fields like technology or innovation applied to policy, entrepreneurship, development or humanitarian response is required.
• A minimum of two years of experience working in the fields of data innovation, data science, mobiles for development, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, or related technologies in either Uganda or Ghana is required;
• Proven strong writing and communication skills including demonstrated experience documenting processes and writing reports are required;
• Experience with note taking and providing minutes/summaries will be an asset;
• Experience working with Artificial Intelligence is an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to translate between data/science/technology and international development and policy experts is an asset;
• Knowledge of analytical techniques from machine learning, artificial intelligence, or modeling of complex systems is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary projects between data/science/technology and development/policy/humanitarian response is an asset;
• Demonstrable ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, manage workflows and operate as part of a dispersed team with members across various time zones;

Language

Fluency in English (written and oral) is required, and a working knowledge of French is an asset.

Contract type: International ICA

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.