AI Platform Technical Lead (Consultant)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, and it provides an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The AI Platform Technical Lead (Consultant) will be instrumental in architecting and overseeing the technical foundation of UNICEF’s AI ecosystem. This role encompasses multi-cloud infrastructure design, product backlog and roadmap management, vendor engagement, and the oversight of AI/ML model deployment. The consultant will ensure that UNICEF leverages cutting-edge AI capabilities in alignment with its Responsible AI principles and organizational priorities. The assignment aims to provide strategic technical leadership in the design, deployment, and evolution of UNICEF’s AI platforms and infrastructure, ensuring secure, ethical, and scalable integration of AI/ML solutions across UNICEF’s multi-cloud infrastructure while guiding partnerships and governance for AI adoption.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• AI Platform Enablement: Shape UNICEF’s AI platforms for scalability, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and interoperability. Define multi-cloud architecture (Azure, AWS, etc.) and optimize performance, compliance, and cost-efficiency. Establish technical standards, frameworks, and governance models for responsible AI platform development. Assist with integration efforts, API design, and interoperability with existing UNICEF digital systems. Collaborate with divisional and program teams to translate business and program requirements into technical specifications and platform features.
• Product Roadmap: Establish and maintain the product backlog and roadmap for the AI Portal and associated digital platforms. Translate UNICEF’s AI strategy into actionable technical plans. Continuously evaluate and integrate emerging tools, APIs, and services. Develop and validate user personas to ensure the AI Portal meets diverse user needs.
• Vendor Management: Manage technical aspects of contracts and partnerships with UNICC and other third-party providers. Build relationships with cloud and AI vendors. Support technical evaluations and due diligence for vendor selection.
• AI/ML Deployment: Provide technical guidance to internal teams and country offices on AI/ML solutions. Oversee development, deployment, and monitoring of AI/ML models. Manage infrastructure, pipelines, and DevOps/MLOps practices. Establish criteria for piloting, scaling, and transitioning AI models into production use.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. At least 7 years of relevant work experience in software engineering, focusing on AI/ML and cloud architecture platforms. Proven track record in designing and deploying multi-cloud architectures. Expertise in AI/ML technologies and frameworks, MLOps/DevOps practices, model lifecycle management, and API integration. Knowledge of data security, privacy, and compliance frameworks. Strong project management skills and excellent problem-solving, architecture design, and system integration skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, which is essential for understanding the complexities of AI and cloud technologies.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of relevant work experience in software engineering, particularly with a focus on AI/ML and cloud architecture platforms. This experience should include a proven track record of designing and deploying multi-cloud architectures, which is critical for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset, enhancing communication within the diverse UNICEF environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role with a contract duration of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The consultant will be expected to travel for four missions to Valencia, each lasting one week, with economy class travel and daily subsistence allowance provided. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all employees.