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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, result

Governments in South Asia are increasingly expected to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to strengthen public sector performance, improve service delivery, and enhance accountability. However, many institutions lack structured training materials and contextualized examples that link AI techniques directly to evidence-driven policymaking.

While AI literacy initiatives exist, most focus on conceptual overviews rather than providing governments with practical, hands-on capacity to apply AI methods across the data value chain - from data collection and digitization, to analysis, to dissemination, and to the evaluation of policy outcomes. To ensure long-term sustainability, UNICEF ROSA requires a comprehensive training package that can be rolled out repeatedly without reliance on external trainers, and that includes concrete prototypes relevant to UNICEF’s mandate.

 Purpose of Assignment:

 Developing high-quality, modular training materials and working prototypes will serve a dual purpose:

• Equip governments with practical examples of how AI can be applied to official statistics and social policy data (e.g. digitizing multilingual documents, building retrieval systems for survey reports and developing predictive models for policy targeting).
• Provide UNICEF with reusable resources - curricula, lab exercises, case studies, and demonstration prototypes - that can be adapted for different country contexts, thereby strengthening institutional capacity for evidence-driven policy design and implementation.

By producing ready-to-use training modules and UNICEF-relevant prototypes, this consultancy will enable governments and UNICEF offices to build technical capacity at scale, while ensuring that AI adoption is aligned with principles of responsibility, inclusivity, and data governance.

The purpose of this consultancy is to design and produce a comprehensive practical AI training package that equips government officials and UNICEF staff with the technical knowledge and practical tools to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in support of evidence-driven policymaking.

The consultant will focus on:

• Developing a complete training curriculum and materials (≈72 hours, structured into six modules). Each module will combine conceptual guidance, practical exercises, datasets, and assessments, and will explicitly link AI techniques to policy-relevant use cases in South Asia.

• In close collaboration with UNICEF ROSA, develop practical prototypes that demonstrate UNICEF-relevant applications of AI. These prototypes will be integrated into the training package as hands-on examples of how AI can be applied to data for policy analysis. The prototypes (at least four) will be developed in open-source environments and Azure AI environments, ensuring adaptability to different Country Office contexts and IT infrastructures.

By the end of the consultancy, UNICEF ROSA will have a self-contained set of training materials and demonstration prototypes that can be reused, adapted, and cascaded across the region, enabling governments to strengthen their capacity for responsible and effective AI adoption in the public sector.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will carry out the following tasks in close coordination with UNICEF ROSA

Inception and Planning

• Conduct consultations with UNICEF ROSA to finalize scope, confirm priority use cases, and align prototype development with UNICEF’s needs.
• Deliver an inception report including the detailed work plan, curriculum outline, and proposed prototype specifications.

Curriculum and Training Design

• Develop a full training curriculum covering six modules (≈72 hours).
• This curriculum will be treated as the minimum expected content. Additional examples and materials may be proposed by the consultant.
• Each module must include:
•  Conceptual slides and readings.
• Step-by-step jupyter notebooks (or equivalent) and exercises.
• Sample datasets (synthetic or de-identified).
• Discussion questions linking technical content to evidence-driven policy applications, responsible use of data, limitations, and scope.

For every module, the consultant must:

• Provide open-source implementations in the relevant open-source software (for the case of GenAI, the code should run in an open software, but the platform used should fulfill UNICEF AI standards).
• Instructions on how to use AI tools to support the identification of the right statistical techniques or codes.
• Include explicit reflection on responsible use of data and risks of open-source approaches (e.g. security, privacy, quality assurance, governance gaps).

Sketch of Training Modules (minimal content expected):

• Module 1: Prompting & AI Foundations.
• Module 2: RAG & Semantic Search.
• Module 3: Text Classification & Mapping.
• Module 4: Profiling and index creation.
• Module 5: Geospatial Analysis.
• Module 6: Report automation

Prototype Development

• Build four working prototypes, co-designed with UNICEF ROSA, to serve as demonstration projects integrated into the training.
• Prototypes must include documentation, usage guides, and comments on responsible data handling.

Provide a Training of Trainers (ToT) for UNICEF-selected staff and government representatives from a designated South Asian country, based on the developed training materials; the participants will learn about the training and will receive complementary guidance on how to approach participants when they themselves are developing the training. The ToT will be delivered in a hybrid format, comprising four components:

• Self-paced online learning (MOOC): Participants will complete foundational modules independently, with weekly supervision by the consultant and support sessions for a period of two months.
• In-person training: A short, intensive workshop (not exceeding one week) focused on practical exercises and applied case studies.
• Online follow-up: Participants will develop work-related projects under the ongoing guidance of the trainer (for a period of a month).

Final Deliverables

Submit the full training package (curriculum, materials, codes, datasets, trainer’s manual, and prototypes).

• Provide a final report summarizing materials, prototype development, responsible AI considerations, and recommendations for scaling.
• Provide 120 hours of potential on-the-job training supporting governments and UNICEF with advisory support on AI products or creating AI implementation strategies.
•  

Description of Tasks: 

• Inception and Planning – consultations with ROSA; finalize scope, curriculum structure, and prototype selection
• Curriculum and Training Design – develop 6 modules (≈72 hours), with slides, lab notebooks, datasets, and guidance following the hybrid structure
• Prototype Development – build 4 prototypes, with documentation, usage guides, and commentary on responsible AI
• ToT implementation – Online supervisions + in-situ training + online project follow-up.

• Final Deliverables – consolidate all materials and recommendations
• On the job advisory services to governments and UNICEF via the corresponding Country Office

Deliverables for the Assignment:

• 1st Deliverable: Inception Report with detailed work plan, curriculum outline, and prototype plan by 31 January 2026
• 2nd Deliverable: Detailed curriculum and full training design package (minimum expected by 31 March 2026

• 3rd Deliverable: Four working prototypes with full code and documentation by 31 March 2026
• 4^th Deliverable: Training Completion by 31May 2026
• 5^th Deliverable: Complete training package + 4 prototypes + Final Report by 31 May 2026
• Final Deliverable: Summary report by 30 June 2026

For details on the assignment including tasks and deliverables, please refer to the link: Terms of Reference

Note: Please submit financial proposal based on the above deliverables.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

Advanced university degree in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Demonstrated portfolio of training materials developed in the areas of:
• • Text classification and mapping.
  • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and semantic search.
  • Multivariate statistics
  • Earth Engine
• 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.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Python or R.
• Strong working knowledge of open-source AI stacks.
• 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.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of a South Asian language (e.g., Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, Urdu) is an asset.
• In addition to the financial proposal and cover letter, applicants shall provide verifiable evidence of relevant prior experience, including links or supporting materials demonstrating their portfolio and technical capacity in the following areas:
• Application of R or Python for data analysis and statistical modeling;
• Development and use of Generative AI (GenAI) models; and
• Design, production, and implementation of training materials or capacity-building programmes.

 For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.