AI Engineer Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established to save children's lives and defend their rights, operates in over 190 countries and territories. The organization is dedicated to helping children fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF is known for its commitment to promoting the rights of every child, and it fosters a culture where careers are built through diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. The organization prides itself on its passionate workforce and offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of belonging and growth in a diverse environment.

Job Overview:
The AI Engineer Consultant will play a crucial role in the UNICEF Data & Analytics (D&A) Education team, focusing on the development of a data portal that consolidates information from various regional and global learning assessments. This position involves creating a minimum viable product (MVP) that integrates foundational learning assessments for reading and numeracy outcomes at Grade 4 and below. The consultant will be tasked with transforming heterogeneous data from different programs into harmonized tables suitable for UNICEF's International Data Warehouse (IDW). This role requires a deep understanding of data structures and the ability to build extraction pipelines and reference datasets that will support the MVP portal. The consultant will also need to establish reproducible and scalable transformation processes for the data.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a data model for the MVP portal that integrates various learning assessments.
• Create and maintain data extraction pipelines to ensure seamless data flow into the UNICEF International Data Warehouse.
• Transform and harmonize diverse datasets from different educational programs into a unified format.
• Collaborate with the D&A Education team to ensure that the data portal meets the needs of stakeholders.
• Conduct thorough testing and validation of the data models and pipelines to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Document processes and methodologies for data transformation and integration.
• Provide technical support and guidance to team members on data-related issues.
• Stay updated on best practices in data management and analytics to enhance the portal's functionality.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Management, Data Science, or Public Policy.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in data structures, analysis, and building data pipelines.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python.
• Familiarity with tools like Azure DevOps, Docker, and Github.
• Experience working with large-scale datasets, particularly household survey data or national/international assessment datasets such as MICS or DHS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Information Management, Data Science, or Public Policy. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform the tasks required for this position effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in data management, analysis, and the development of data pipelines. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with complex datasets and should be familiar with the challenges associated with data integration and transformation in a large organizational context.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required. The ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, is crucial for collaboration with international teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 11 months, and the position allows for remote working arrangements. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Candidates should be aware that UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.