Individual Consultant: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Consultancy, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (Remote - till 30 June 2026)
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Job no: 588463
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Kathmandu
Level: Consultancy
Location: Nepal
Categories: Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
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
Government institutions are accelerating digital transformation and require a structured, vendor-neutral understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve policy design, service delivery, and accountability. Senior officials often face fragmented knowledge of AI capabilities and limitations, and there is uneven capacity on core topics of data governance (ownership, privacy, security, interoperability, data quality) and responsible AI (fairness, bias mitigation, transparency, accountability, explainability). Without a shared baseline, agencies struggle to evaluate proposals, commission solutions, or govern risks effectively.
A dedicated training with presential modules and multimedia materials will: (i) build foundational AI literacy tailored to executive decision-makers; (ii) map concrete public-sector use cases across the data value chain - from data collection and preparation to analysis, to dissemination, and to citizen-facing services - so that leaders can identify where AI drives efficiency and quality; (iii) establish a common ethics and data governance baseline aligned to national frameworks and international guidance; and (iv) provide a Training of Trainers (ToT) pathway so selected government staff can cascade the curriculum and institutionalize learning across ministries and provinces.
This consultancy will therefore develop and deliver a practical, policy-relevant programme that standardizes concepts, harmonizes practices across institutions, and accelerates responsible AI adoption while safeguarding public trust. The ToT component ensures sustainability through internal capacity that can adapt and extend the programme as needs evolve.
Purpose of Assignment:
The purpose of this consultancy is to design and deliver a comprehensive training programme that equips senior government officers with the knowledge and skills needed to:
• Understand AI concepts and applications in governance, including how AI can optimize government processes across the data value chain (collection, storage, processing, analysis, dissemination, and citizen engagement).
• Recognize and manage ethical and data governance concerns - including privacy, security, bias, accountability, and transparency - so that government-led AI initiatives align with national priorities and international standards.
• Engage with real-world public sector use cases of AI, with emphasis on evidence from official statistics, service delivery, and decision-support systems.
• Apply learning through interactive exercises and case studies, ensuring participants can critically evaluate AI proposals and identify opportunities for responsible adoption.
• Build institutional sustainability by delivering a Training of Trainers (ToT) module to selected UNICEF and government, enabling them to replicate and cascade the training within their ministries and agencies.
Through this consultancy, the government will gain a practical, context-specific training package that strengthens executive decision-making on AI, embeds principles of ethical and responsible use, and supports long-term institutional capacity for digital transformation.
Scope of Work:
- Provide a practical manual flagging the best practices on the previously mentioned 8 topics (later extended into the training package, summarizing main findings of the workshop).
- Complete Training Package, consisting of:
- Slide decks and multimedia resources.
- Participant handbook / reference guide.
- Group exercises and interactive learning tools.
- Delivery of two training for senior government officers (2 days × 6 hours in-person training plus 10 hours on-line training).
- Delivery of a Training of Trainers (ToT) module, with a trainer’s manual and toolkit (the training is only 6 hours, as it is expected that the participants also assisted in the senior government officer training, and then the extra day is dedicated to teaching linked elements to the training).
- Pre- and post-training assessments with analysis of participant learning.
- Final Training Report summarizing delivery, outcomes, participant feedback, 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 Governance strategies.
Description of Tasks:
- Inception phase: consultations with supervisor, review of policies, design of detailed work plan and agenda
- Curriculum and syllabus development workshop (AI fundamentals, public sector applications, ethics, data governance, use cases, data value chain)
- Development of training materials (slides, multimedia resources, participant handbook, case study compendium, group exercises)
- Delivery of two 12-hour training programme (4 consecutive days × 6 hours each) and 6 hours ToT module
- Reporting and recommendations (analysis of feedback, learning outcomes, and scale-up plan)
- On the job advisory services to governments and UNICEF via the corresponding country office
Deliverables for the Assignment:
- 1st Deliverable: Inception Report and approved work plan by 31 January 2026
- 2nd Deliverable: Syllabus of the training and manual derived from the workshop by 28 March 2026
- 3rd Deliverable: Full training package (curriculum, handbook, multimedia materials, exercises, case studies) by 31 May 2026
- 4th Deliverable: Completed in-person training for senior government officers, with pre- and post-assessments and ToT by 31May 2026
- 5th Deliverable: Final Training Report by 30 June 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:
PhD university degree in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economist, or related field; A master can be considered, by increasing the work experience limit to 10 years.
Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
At least 8 years of professional experience applying AI, data science, or digital transformation in development or private international organizations.
• Portfolio of trainings delivered: evidence of having designed and facilitated executive-level or senior government training programmes (include agendas, participant profiles, and outcomes).
• Proven experience in translating complex AI and data governance concepts into accessible content for non-technical decision-makers.
• Demonstrated expertise in data governance, ethics, and responsible AI frameworks.
• Experience in developing multimedia learning materials (slides, videos, interactive exercises).
• Experience in Training of Trainers (ToT) approaches and adult learning methodologies.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with ability to engage senior-level participants.
• Up-to-date knowledge of AI applications across the data value chain (collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, citizen-facing services).
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, policy-relevant training outputs within tight deadlines.
Language Proficiency
• Fluency in English (oral and written) required.
• Proficiency in Hindi is an advantage.
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.
Advertised: Nepal Standard Time
Deadline: Nepal Standard Time