Senior Digital Innovation and AI Lead

Senior Digital Innovation and AI Lead

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT)

June 21, 2026June 30, 2026NairobiKenya
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global agency established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable urban development. It aims to provide adequate shelter for all and is involved in various initiatives to enhance urban living conditions. UN-Habitat has been operational since 1978 and has a presence in numerous countries worldwide, working with various stakeholders including governments, NGOs, and the private sector to address urbanization challenges. The organization is committed to fostering strategic alliances and partnerships to achieve its goals and has a diverse workforce dedicated to improving human settlements.

Job Overview:
The Senior Digital Innovation and AI Lead will play a pivotal role in enhancing UN-Habitat's digital ecosystem, focusing on the development and improvement of various digital platforms including the corporate website, the World Urban Forum (WUF) web ecosystem, and other stakeholder engagement tools. This position requires a strategic leader who can oversee the integration of digital innovations and AI technologies to support UN-Habitat's mission of promoting sustainable urbanization. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that these digital platforms are user-friendly, accessible, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of stakeholders. The role involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to drive the continuous improvement of digital services and to ensure that the platforms are aligned with organizational priorities and stakeholder expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will lead the strategic evolution and governance of UN-Habitat's digital platforms, ensuring seamless integration across various systems. Responsibilities include defining product requirements, implementing digital service improvements, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. The Senior Digital Innovation and AI Lead will coordinate teams of consultants and technical specialists, manage project timelines and budgets, and engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and insights. The role also involves identifying opportunities for digital transformation, monitoring platform security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, providing training to users, and contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives. Additionally, the incumbent will oversee the deployment of AI capabilities across digital products and ensure that all platforms are continuously updated and improved based on user feedback and technological advancements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A minimum of 7 years of proven experience in web development, UX design, and digital strategy is required. Technical skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, and experience with prototyping tools such as Figma or Adobe XD are essential. Familiarity with Git version control and Drupal is also required. The candidate should demonstrate innovative technical leadership and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background ensures that the candidate has a solid foundation in technical skills necessary for the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in web development and digital strategy. This experience should include a strong background in UX design and the ability to lead innovative technical projects. Proven experience in managing multiple projects and teams is crucial, as is a track record of successful digital platform development and improvement.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process. The role is full-time and may involve international collaboration with various partners and stakeholders.
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