1. Background
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is strengthening its knowledge, learning and capacity-building ecosystem with the ambition to democratize access to high-quality solar knowledge, making relevant knowledge, skills and learning opportunities more accessible to Member Countries, practitioners and other stakeholders globally.
As part of this ambition, ISA aims to establish itself as a leading global reference for solar knowledge and learning, with the aspiration for its digital knowledge ecosystem to become one of the most widely accessed platforms for solar knowledge globally.
Central to this effort is the development of an integrated ISA knowledge and capacity-building ecosystem, bringing together the ISA Academy, STAR-C network, fellowship and training programmes, knowledge products, institutional and academic partnerships, and other relevant initiatives and services. Digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will serve as key enablers across this ecosystem, helping ISA improve access to knowledge, personalize learning experiences, facilitate multilingual access, connect knowledge and expertise across countries and institutions, and increase the reach and impact of its knowledge and capacity-building activities.
ISA therefore seeks an AI - Digital Specialist within KMID to support the functional development and application of AI and digital solutions across ISA, with particular focus on knowledge management, learning, capacity building and related digital products and services.
The position will work across ISA units and in close coordination with relevant teams, including IT, as well as external partners, ensuring that digital and AI solutions respond to institutional, programme and user needs while remaining aligned with ISA's technical, security and data requirements.
2. Objective
The objective of the position is to strengthen ISA's ability to use AI and digital technologies as enablers of knowledge, learning and capacity building.
The Specialist will translate programme, knowledge and user requirements into effective digital solutions; support the development and evolution of ISA's digital knowledge and learning products and services; and facilitate the responsible adoption of AI to improve how ISA creates, organizes, delivers and makes knowledge accessible to Member Countries and other stakeholders.
The role combines functional digital leadership, product development, AI enablement, innovation and project coordination, supported by sufficient technical expertise to assess solutions, guide implementation and effectively engage with technology teams and providers, rather than assuming responsibility for ISA's core IT infrastructure.
3. Your Role and Scope of work
3.1 Digital Learning and Knowledge Ecosystem
·Provide functional and digital expertise for the continued development of the ISA Academy and other digital knowledge and learning services.
·Support the digital enablement and integration of ISA's broader knowledge and capacity-building ecosystem, including STAR-C, fellowships, training programmes, knowledge products and other relevant initiatives.
· Translate learning, programme and user needs into functional requirements and effective digital solutions.
·Support AI-enabled functionalities, including personalized learning, multilingual access, intelligent knowledge discovery and other innovative approaches.
·Use user feedback, data and analytics to continuously improve digital knowledge and learning services and their reach.
3.2 AI and Digital Innovation
·Identify, develop and support practical applications of AI across ISA's knowledge, learning and capacity-building activities.
·Explore and prototype AI-enabled solutions that improve access to solar knowledge, technical resources, training content and institutional knowledge.
·Identify opportunities for digitalization, automation and AI-enabled workflows that strengthen programme delivery and institutional effectiveness.
·Contribute to the digital and AI dimensions of the Global Capability Centre (GCC), ISA Academy and other ISA initiatives where relevant to knowledge, learning and capacity building.
·Monitor emerging AI and digital technologies and assess their potential application to ISA's programmes and services.
·Promote responsible and appropriate use of AI in coordination with relevant ISA functions.
3.3 Digital Products and Project Delivery
·Support the functional design and continuous improvement of ISA's digital knowledge, learning and capacity-building products and services.
·Develop functional requirements, product roadmaps, implementation plans and delivery priorities.
·Coordinate digital initiatives with relevant ISA units, technology providers, consultants, vendors and implementation partners.
·Monitor deliverables, timelines, quality, testing and user acceptance.
·Support functional and technical assessment of proposed solutions and vendor deliverables.
·Promote appropriate integration and information flows between relevant platforms and ISA systems, working with IT and other relevant teams on technical architecture, cybersecurity, hosting, data protection and related requirements.
3.4 Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
·Support partnerships with governments, technology organizations, academic institutions, development partners, research institutions and other stakeholders in AI, digital learning and knowledge innovation.
·Identify opportunities to bring external expertise, technologies, content and innovation into ISA's knowledge and capacity-building ecosystem.
·Engage with ISA Member Countries and partners to understand their needs and promote the adoption and use of relevant digital knowledge and learning solutions.
·Represent ISA/KMID, as required, in meetings, workshops, conferences and other national and international engagements, presenting ISA's work and contributing to discussions on AI, digital learning, knowledge and capacity building.
·Support and, where appropriate, lead or facilitate sessions, workshops and knowledge events related to the areas of responsibility.
·Communicate digital and AI concepts effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior officials, Member Country representatives and institutional partners.
3.5 Cross-ISA Coordination and Quality
·Work across ISA units to identify opportunities where AI and digital solutions can strengthen knowledge, learning and capacity-building activities.
·Serve as a functional interface between institutional and programme requirements and relevant technical teams.
·Support appropriate data governance, responsible AI, accessibility and compliance with ISA policies and standards.
·Contribute to positioning ISA as an innovative global platform for solar knowledge, learning and capacity building.
Expected Results
The AI & Digital Specialist will contribute to:
· Continued development and enhancement of the ISA digital knowledge and capacity-building ecosystem, including the ISA Academy and relevant AI-enabled capabilities.
· A functional roadmap for AI and digital solutions supporting ISA's knowledge, learning and capacity-building activities.
· Development and implementation of practical AI and digital use cases responding to institutional and Member Country needs.
· Improved access to and user experience of ISA's digital knowledge and learning services.
· Greater digital integration and reach across ISA's knowledge and capacity-building initiatives.
· Effective functional coordination and quality assurance of digital solutions and external technology providers.
· Stronger partnerships and stakeholder engagement around AI, digital learning and knowledge innovation.
· Increased visibility and effective representation of ISA's digital knowledge and capacity-building work.
3. What You Will Need to Succeed
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Engineering, Digital Transformation, or another field relevant to the assignment.
Professional Experience
- Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, AI-enabled solutions, digital products, data and analytics, digital learning or related areas.
- Demonstrated practical experience in the design, implementation or management of digital platforms and AI-enabled solutions, including translating institutional and user requirements into functional and technical requirements.
- Experience managing or coordinating digital projects, technology providers, vendors and implementation partners, including testing, quality assurance and delivery.
- Practical experience with AI applications, digital learning technologies, data integration, analytics, APIs and cloud-based digital solutions.
- Experience developing or managing user-facing digital products or platforms, preferably involving knowledge management, learning, capacity building or digital public services.
- Experience working with governments, international organizations, development institutions, research organizations or large multi-stakeholder environments is highly desirable.
- Experience in energy, climate or sustainable development would be an advantage.
- Experience engaging diverse stakeholders and presenting, facilitating or representing an organization in professional, national or international settings would be desirable.
4 . Core Competencies
The Specialist is expected to have sufficient technical expertise to design requirements, assess solutions, guide implementation and effectively engage with technology teams and providers, while responsibility for ISA's core IT infrastructure remains with the relevant IT function.
Relevant technical & functional competencies include:
- Practical understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, particularly generative AI and their application to knowledge, learning, analytics, content development and automation.
- Hands-on familiarity with AI platforms and tools, such as Microsoft Azure AI, Google Vertex AI/Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic/Claude, Databricks or equivalent technologies, including the ability to assess and prototype practical use cases.
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital learning technologies, such as Moodle, Open edX, Canvas or equivalent platforms, including learner journeys, analytics and integration of AI-enabled functionalities.
- Understanding of digital product development and management, including requirements definition, user journeys, product roadmaps, testing and user acceptance.
- Working knowledge of data management, analytics, system integration and APIs, with the ability to understand how information and services connect across digital platforms.
- Familiarity with cloud-based environments and services, such as Azure, AWS or Google Cloud, without requiring responsibility for infrastructure administration.
- Familiarity with data visualization and analytics tools, such as Power BI, Tableau or equivalent platforms.
- Familiarity with knowledge management, content management and collaboration platforms, and their integration with learning and AI solutions.
- Basic working knowledge of programming and data-querying concepts, including Python and SQL, would be an asset.
- Good understanding of responsible AI, data governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, data protection and digital accessibility principles.
- Ability to rapidly evaluate and adopt emerging AI and digital tools relevant to ISA's knowledge, learning and capacity-building activities.
Other competencies include:
- Strong project management and delivery orientation, with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external providers.
- Strong systems thinking, connecting technology, knowledge, programmes and user needs.
- Product-oriented and user-centred approach to digital transformation.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear institutional and programme language, and institutional needs into actionable digital requirements.
- Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior officials, Member Countries, partners and technical and non-technical audiences.
- Confidence and ability to represent ISA in meetings, workshops, conferences and other relevant engagements.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, partnership-building and interpersonal skills in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
- Strong analytical, innovation and problem-solving skills.
- High adaptability and ability to work effectively in an evolving institutional and technological environment.
5. Your Place of Work
This position will be based at the ISA Headquarters, Delhi/Gurgaon, India, with international travel as required.
6. Your Pay and Benefits
ISA offers a competitive remuneration package based on the UN Common System, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include health insurance, pension contributions, and leave entitlements as per ISA Staff Regulations and Rules.
ISA values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates from its Member Countries.
At ISA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and provide an equal employment opportunity for all our employees and applicants. We will consider all qualified applicants without regarding an individual’s race, color, gender/gender expression/orientation, and religion.
ISA seeks to obtain and retain a staff reflecting its geographical representation and diversity and as such, primarily prefers and recruits staff from its member countries.
ISA maintains a retirement age of 65 years.
For more details about our policies and practices you can refer to our website International Solar Alliance (isa.int)
Please apply in confidence by email to: recruitment@isa.int
Your application should include a cover letter of no more than 2 pages and your detailed CV.
*Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process. ISA retains the right to cancel the selection process if it is determined in the best interest of the Organization.
** Please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. ISA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it.