Under the guidance of the Digital Impact Manager for AI Solutions Engineering, the AI Applications Developer supports UNICEF’s digital transformation by designing, building, testing, deploying, and maintaining AI-powered applications and services. The role focuses on hands-on implementation of AI and machine learning, including AI-enabled coding, model integration, user-facing feature development, and AI-driven automation, while upholding responsible AI practices related to security, privacy, and ethics.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to Digital opportunities
How can you make a difference?
Digital Impact Division (DID) is at the heart of reshaping how UNICEF delivers lasting results for children. We are committed to harnessing the full potential of emerging digital technologies to advance UNICEF’s mission.
DID works in close collaboration with regional Digital Impact teams and colleagues across headquarters divisions, regions, and country offices to leverage technologies and capabilities that accelerate progress on UNICEF’s goals, strengthen community resilience, and expand access to essential digital services and information.
Our mission is to enhance UNICEF’s global digital impact by promoting equitable access to information and services, empowering communities to create lasting, positive change for children, and foster a more inclusive, interconnected, and sustainable world for every child, everywhere.
Purpose for the job:
Working under the general direction of the Digital Impact Manager AI Solutions Engineering, the AI Applications Developer will contribute to the design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of AI-powered applications and services to support UNICEF’s digital transformation goals.
This role emphasizes practical implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, including AI enabled coding, integration of AI models , development of user-facing features, and to support AI driven automation. . The incumbent will also support responsible AI practices, ensuring compliance with security, privacy, and ethical standards.
The position offers the opportunity to apply and grow technical skills in AI application development within a dynamic and collaborative environment, leveraging modern technology and engineering frameworks and cloud-native technologies to deliver impactful and automated solutions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- AI Application Development and Delivery
- Data Processing and Integration
- Quality Assurance and Testing
- Security and Responsible AI
- Support and Maintenance
- Collaboration and Documentation
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
2026 DI Officer P2 43597.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering-Computer, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, automation frameworks, cloud-based applications development or related fields.
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Work Experience: 2 years of relevant work experience in Information Communication Technology, AI application development, Python, FastApi, Azure, NextJS, AWS and any other related fields.
A minimum of 2 years of practical professional work experience in software development within agile environments, preferably at the national or international level.
Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.
Backend development using Python and frameworks such as FastAPI or Django.
RESTful API design and integration of external services. Secure coding practices and authentication/authorization mechanisms.
Experience with Docker or Kubernetes.
Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles. - Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables:
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language, especially Spanish, is an asset (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian).
- Additional training or certification in AI/ML technologies, automation frameworks, or cloud-based application development is an asset
- Celery, RabbitMQ, Redis, GitOps
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.