The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Main purpose of job:
The role of an Emerging Technologies/AI for Development (ETA4D) Adviser in Kenya is to drive the UK’s work on building science and technology partnerships for sustainable development. The role is multifaceted, focusing on promoting the use of emerging technologies and AI to drive economic growth, socio-economic development, and inclusive and secure delivery of government services. This will be a demand-driven role that will need to be flexible and responsive and is tasked with offering technical assistance and advice on the use of emerging technologies for development (including but not limited to systemic enhancements, demand and supply market factors in their adoption, implementation, and regulation in Kenya the wider region). Areas of focus may include policies, strategies, regulations, and guidelines aligned to the UK and Kenya Governments’ priorities. The role will be situated within the Science, Innovation and Technology team, based at the British High Commission in Nairobi. The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee new work around AI and Emerging Technologies in Kenya, building meaningful partnerships and collaboration between the two countries and promoting transparent and effective decision-making regarding the management and utilization of emerging technologies including AI in Kenya, with a particular emphasis on AI standards/safety and inclusivity.
In the initial phases, the role will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Development, including exploring the use of AI technologies to tackle socioeconomic issues and promote sustainable development, enhance the delivery of Government services, and drive the start-up economy. This position requires a thorough understanding of the landscape of emerging technologies including AI in Kenya (and the broader region), the potential opportunities and challenges it presents, as well some knowledge and understanding of the broader societal context for the roll out of emerging technologies, and the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern their implementation.
A new UK digital development strategy sets out how the UK will lead the way and partner with countries around the globe, so that no one is left behind in a digital world. It is premised on the understanding that Digital technologies can support development, for example, mobile money and financial technology have had a huge impact by including people around the world in the digital economy. Likewise, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost health research and reduce the cost of drug development. UK intends to deliver on AI for Development aimed at building local capacity to develop and apply AI responsibly, with an initial focus on Africa, alongside an uplift of investment in AI across our sectoral research portfolios The UK Government’s Digital Development strategy 2024-2030 focuses on four critical interconnected objectives of Digital transformation, Inclusion, Responsibility and Sustainability.
In the last five years, UK has been implementing the Digital Access Programme in five Countries ( Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia) with the objective of catalysing affordable inclusive safe and secure digital access for the digitally excluded populations. Since its inception it has reached over 7.5 million people with digital inclusion models.
The job holder will report to the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Kenya and provide support in the design, development and delivery of the programme plan, including managing risks, monitoring implementation and reporting on programme progress against set intervention targets under each of the pillars of the programme and on the resourcing requirements needed to deliver them.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline;
- Experience of managing and delivery of large and/or complex programmes with good eye for detail
- Experience of developing and applying tools to support effective project management as well as delivery control of implementing partners
- Experience of developing and executing programme/project implementation plans
- Experience of applying project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Supporting the commissioning of work packages or procuring delivery through external implementing partners and contract management