Strategy Expert for Linguistic Diversity in AI

Background

At UNDP, we work with countries to expand people’s choices for a fairer, sustainable future, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: a future where no country has to choose between human development and the health of the planet, where prosperity and sustainability advance together, leaving no one behind. This is humanity’s next frontier, and with the right support, it is within reach

Digital technology is one of the most fundamental drivers of change this century. Digital not only provides new opportunities and challenges for development, but it is also fundamentally changing the context in which development is taking place. Since the launch of its first Digital Strategy in 2019, UNDP has been on an ambitious transformation journey to harness the potential of digital technology for development. We are now in the next phase of our digital transformation, implementing the Digital Strategy 2022-2025, which puts forth a vision to create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet. 

The Digital, AI & Innovation (DAI) Hub at UNDP is leading this effort with the goal of embedding digital technology in the development projects that we implement, supporting government partners to build inclusive digital eco-systems, and transforming the organization internally to enable these changes. We are a global team of innovators, digital strategists, and changemakers who are passionate about making digital a positive force for people and planet. 

The DAI Hub leads UNDP’s Local Language Accelerator Programme – a global initiative, supported by UNDP’s AI Sprint and co-implemented with regional and global partners, including with the AI Hub for Sustainable Development endorsed by the G7 leaders.

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a collaborative initiative accelerating sustainable AI-driven industrial growth in Africa. The Hub’s mission is to nurture a space where novel ideas emerge and thrive, with transformative solutions by Africa’s innovators and start-ups to build AI foundations—in areas of green compute, data and talent. Connecting everyone into an ecosystem where they can grow together and advance prosperity for all is at the AI Hub's core. The AI Hub is aligned with the African Union’s AI Strategy and is anchored by 14 partner countries in Africa (Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Tanzania and Tunisia), catalyzing transformation across six key sectors–energy, agriculture, health, water, education & training, and infrastructure.

UNDP’s Local Language Accelerator Programme focuses on accelerating inclusive access to and local use of data in low-resource languages to ensure digital products are available in local languages, natively spoken by more than 3 billion people. The main areas of action of the accelerator are global, regional and local advocacy, facilitation of responsible partnerships and strategic investments into UNDP’s Country Offices and their local partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Co-manage design and lead implementation of UNDP’s Local Language Accelerator Programme; resulting in at least 9 countries building more inclusive AI ecosystems: 
   1. Develop recommendations for the strategic direction and delivery mechanism of UNDP’s Local Language Accelerator Programme
   2. Manage country implementations and guide the Data & AI Project Analyst in achieving results from implementation in at least 9 countries
   3. Maintain and scale enabling stakeholder relationships by engaging with funders, co-implementors and experts on closing the language gap in AI and supporting resource mobilization for the DAI Hub on linguistic diversity in AI
2. Co-manage design and lead implementation of UNDP’s Global Campaign on “Every Language Matters”: 
   1. Work with UNDP’s knowledge & strategy team to define strategic approach and ensure smooth implementation
   2. Secure meaningful commitments of at least 5 government
   3. Lead the implementation of at least 2 events on the campaign with high-level participation
3. Contribute to UNDP’s knowledge products (e.g. blogs, white papers) and global advocacy on Linguistic Diversity in AI, in coordination with the communication specialist and knowledge & strategy lead 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

The Strategy Expert for Linguistic Diversity in AI reports to the Data Capability Lead, Digital & AI Programmes at the Digital, AI and Innovation Hub in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy:

Entrepreneurial Thinking: Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP's organizational priorities and mandate 

Negotiation and Influence: Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create win-win situations.

Business Management:

Partnerships Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Results-based Management: Ability to manage and the implementation of strategies, programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theorisies, concepts, methodologies, instruments and tools.

Digital:

Artificial Intelligence Thought Leadership: Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in AI, along with their social, ethical, and economic implications, including data privacy and human rights. Ability to engage with industry experts, government representatives, and academics to stay updated on latest trends and to form partnerships.Strong skills in conducting and interpreting research to support thought leadership initiatives, including white papers, policy briefs, or case studies. Understanding of global trends and cultural nuances, as they relate to the field of AI. Familiarity with international laws and standards regarding technology, particularly in a multi-stakeholder environment like the UN.

Co-creation: Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice or create knowledge together. Ability to embrace diversity, work with diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity. Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

Communications:

Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, International Development, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Required Skills and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in international development, the technology sector (data/AI) or public sector is required. 
• Demonstrated experience in project leadership of multi-year projects.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with policymakers in public and/or private sector within the scope of digital transformation.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding junior team members.
• Deep understanding of challenges and opportunities in closing the language gap in AI.

Desired Skills

• Experience in designing and/or implementing global advocacy campaigns
• Deep understanding of inclusive digital transformation, including digital public infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience in capturing and synthesizing information on an ongoing basis to produce analysis and recommendations
• Demonstrated experience working with the UN or other large scale development organization
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization is desired 
• Comfort with Ambiguity: Have the ability to navigate unstructured or evolving work environments in a composed and professional manner. Agile in making progress even when specific outcomes or processes aren’t clear. Constantly show a willingness to iterate and learn as you go, particularly in fast-changing environments. Highly adaptable with the ability to confidently shift priorities or stakeholder needs
• Problem-Solving: Proactively seek solutions when identifying gaps, inefficiencies and/or roadblocks. Effectively manage competing priorities while also maintaining quality and speed. Able to communicate solutions clearly and work in a highly coordinated way, collaboratively across different teams to implement them 
• Systems-Thinking: Bring a structured mindset to designing scalable, sustainable processes. Strong ability to recognize interdependencies across a wide range of complex projects . Ability to spot patterns and anticipate cross-functions impacts across several programs and teams.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP 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 UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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