Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress
The primary and overarching objective of United Nations Development Programme in Kenya is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promotion of United Nations fundamental principles. A core dimension to the work of UNDP in Kenya is on Democratic Governance given the national focus on governance reforms. UNDP supports the country’s efforts towards achieving the Vision 2030 Political Pillar, which envisions a democratic system that is issue-based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public. This Political Pillar gears to transform the country’s political governance across five strategic areas; The Rule of Law, Electoral and Political Processes, Democracy and Public Service Delivery, Transparency and Accountability, Security Peace Building and Conflict Management. These strategic areas are anchored in the Constitution, promulgated in August 2010 marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of Kenya and set a new threshold in terms of people-centred development.
The primary and overarching objective of United Nations Development Programme in Kenya is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promotion of United Nations fundamental principles. A core dimension to the work of UNDP in Kenya is on Democratic Governance given the national focus on governance reforms. UNDP supports the country’s efforts towards achieving the Vision 2030 Political Pillar, which envisions a democratic system that is issue-based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public. This Political Pillar gears to transform the country’s political governance across five strategic areas; The Rule of Law, Electoral and Political Processes, Democracy and Public Service Delivery, Transparency and Accountability, Security Peace Building and Conflict Management. These strategic areas are anchored in the Constitution, promulgated in August 2010 marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of Kenya and set a new threshold in terms of people-centred development.
Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been operating in Kenya since 1966, supporting the Government in achieving sustainable development, governance reforms, and inclusive economic growth. As part of its digital transformation agenda, UNDP Kenya is collaborating with the Government of Kenya and key partners to establish the Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling of Public Servants, hosted at the Kenya School of Government.
This flagship initiative aims to enhance digital competencies across African governments, foster innovation, and accelerate the adoption of digital technologies for improved service delivery. The Centre will serve as a hub for training, experimentation, and ecosystem engagement, targeting public servants from Kenya and across the continent. This UN Volunteer assignment contributes to the Centre’s implementation phase under Output 2 - enhancing access to emerging technologies in government for improved service delivery and efficiency - by supporting the design, development, and deployment of practical AI solutions for government. In particular, the assignment continues the development of an AIpowered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications, moving it from prototype to production, and supports the delivery of additional AI solutions that strengthen public service delivery in Kenya and across the region.
This flagship initiative aims to enhance digital competencies across African governments, foster innovation, and accelerate the adoption of digital technologies for improved service delivery. The Centre will serve as a hub for training, experimentation, and ecosystem engagement, targeting public servants from Kenya and across the continent. This UN Volunteer assignment contributes to the Centre’s implementation phase under Output 2 - enhancing access to emerging technologies in government for improved service delivery and efficiency - by supporting the design, development, and deployment of practical AI solutions for government. In particular, the assignment continues the development of an AIpowered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications, moving it from prototype to production, and supports the delivery of additional AI solutions that strengthen public service delivery in Kenya and across the region.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager for the Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Development of an AI-powered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications and progress it from prototype to a production-ready solution deployed
for use by government partners.
• Design, build, test, and iterate on machine-learning and NLP models (including text classification and sentiment analysis in English and Kiswahili), improving accuracy, robustness,
and usability based on user feedback.
• Contribute to the design and development of at least three local AI solutions/tools for government that enhance public service delivery, efficiency, and access to emerging technologies, in line with Output 2 of the Regional Centre of Competence.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, user guides, and deployment and handover materials, and apply responsible-AI, data-protection, and security good practices throughout the development lifecycle of the solutions.
• Collaborate closely with the RCoC technical team, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to gather requirements, demonstrate solutions, and support their adoption and integration into government workflows.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instancein events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Results/Expected Outputs
• Sentiment analysis tool deployed to production the prototype AI-powered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications refined, tested, and successfully moved into production for use by government partners.
• At least three AI solutions/tools for government supported and delivered, from design through testing, training, user-feedback, and demos, that enhance service delivery, efficiency,
and access to emerging technologies under Output 2.
• Capacity Building of Government Officers completed, supporting at least 3 trainings/ workshops on the developed tools.
• Trained and validated local models - machine-learning and NLP models (including Kiswahili) trained, evaluated, and documented, with performance metrics reported.
• A Technical documentation and user guides - clear documentation, deployment and handover materials, and user guides prepared for each solution.
• Responsible-AI and data-protection compliance - all solutions developed in alignment with responsible-AI principles, the national Data Protection Act, and UNDP’s data, AI and digital principles and guidelines.
• Source code and project assets: well-organised, version-controlled source code and project assets submitted and archived for future use and maintenance by the team.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• Development of an AI-powered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications and progress it from prototype to a production-ready solution deployed
for use by government partners.
• Design, build, test, and iterate on machine-learning and NLP models (including text classification and sentiment analysis in English and Kiswahili), improving accuracy, robustness,
and usability based on user feedback.
• Contribute to the design and development of at least three local AI solutions/tools for government that enhance public service delivery, efficiency, and access to emerging technologies, in line with Output 2 of the Regional Centre of Competence.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, user guides, and deployment and handover materials, and apply responsible-AI, data-protection, and security good practices throughout the development lifecycle of the solutions.
• Collaborate closely with the RCoC technical team, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to gather requirements, demonstrate solutions, and support their adoption and integration into government workflows.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instancein events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Results/Expected Outputs
• Sentiment analysis tool deployed to production the prototype AI-powered sentiment analysis tool for government and citizen communications refined, tested, and successfully moved into production for use by government partners.
• At least three AI solutions/tools for government supported and delivered, from design through testing, training, user-feedback, and demos, that enhance service delivery, efficiency,
and access to emerging technologies under Output 2.
• Capacity Building of Government Officers completed, supporting at least 3 trainings/ workshops on the developed tools.
• Trained and validated local models - machine-learning and NLP models (including Kiswahili) trained, evaluated, and documented, with performance metrics reported.
• A Technical documentation and user guides - clear documentation, deployment and handover materials, and user guides prepared for each solution.
• Responsible-AI and data-protection compliance - all solutions developed in alignment with responsible-AI principles, the national Data Protection Act, and UNDP’s data, AI and digital principles and guidelines.
• Source code and project assets: well-organised, version-controlled source code and project assets submitted and archived for future use and maintenance by the team.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.