Consultant for AI Training Package Development

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 thousands of staff members worldwide and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for developing high-quality, modular training materials and working prototypes that will equip governments with practical examples of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be applied to official statistics and social policy data. The training package aims to strengthen institutional capacity for evidence-driven policy design and implementation. The consultant will create a comprehensive training curriculum structured into six modules, each combining conceptual guidance, practical exercises, datasets, and assessments. The training will focus on linking AI techniques to policy-relevant use cases in South Asia, ensuring that the materials are reusable and adaptable for different country contexts. The consultant will also develop prototypes demonstrating UNICEF-relevant applications of AI, integrated into the training package as hands-on examples.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct consultations with UNICEF ROSA to finalize the scope, confirm priority use cases, and align prototype development with UNICEF’s needs.
• Deliver an inception report including a detailed work plan, curriculum outline, and proposed prototype specifications.
• Develop a full training curriculum covering six modules (approximately 72 hours), including conceptual slides, lab notebooks, datasets, and guidance.
• Build four working prototypes co-designed with UNICEF ROSA, including documentation and usage guides.
• Provide a Training of Trainers (ToT) for UNICEF-selected staff and government representatives, delivered in a hybrid format.
• Submit the full training package, including curriculum, materials, codes, datasets, trainer’s manual, and prototypes.
• Provide a final report summarizing materials, prototype development, responsible AI considerations, and recommendations for scaling.
• Offer 120 hours of potential on-the-job training supporting governments and UNICEF with advisory support on AI products or creating AI implementation strategies.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated portfolio of training materials developed in areas such as text classification, retrieval-augmented generation, and multivariate statistics.
• Proven track record of producing curricula, lab notebooks, or technical manuals for government, UN agencies, or international organizations.
• Previous experience developing AI/ML prototypes or demonstration projects linked to official statistics, public policy, or evidence-based decision-making.
• Advanced proficiency in Python or R, strong working knowledge of open-source AI stacks, and hands-on experience with Azure AI services.
• Proven experience in designing and producing AI and Machine Learning training content targeted at beginner to intermediate-level technical staff working in data and analytics.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields related to Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or similar disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of AI and its applications in public policy and governance.

Experience:
Candidates should have a significant level of experience, demonstrated through a portfolio of relevant training materials and projects. Experience in developing AI/ML prototypes or curricula for government or international organizations is crucial. The consultant should also have hands-on experience with AI tools and technologies, particularly in the context of public sector applications.

Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of a South Asian language such as Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, or Urdu is considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to communicate effectively in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will involve a contract duration with specific deliverables due by set deadlines, including an inception report by January 31, 2026, a detailed curriculum by March 31, 2026, and a complete training package by May 31, 202

• The position is expected to be full-time, with a focus on developing training materials that can be reused across different contexts. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities.