Data and AI Policy Officer job at United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP Uganda)

UN Global Pulse (UNGP), Kampala (aka Pulse Lab Kampala) is one of the hubs of the Global Pulse network (https://www.unglobalpulse.org) with other hubs in Indonesia, Finland and the United States.

In Kampala, UNGP operates under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator.  Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab. With its vision of responsible and inclusive innovation, the lab supports the UN’s Common Agenda for global cooperation. We are a multidisciplinary team – not wholly tech-centered – which serves the wider UN as it renews its ways of operating in the 21st century.

The goals of the UNGP Network are: i) to generate knowledge, capabilities and approaches that support the transformation of the United Nations into a more agile and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution; ii) to create and accelerate the development of globally accessible approaches which help communities and partners anticipate and address emerging global challenges; and iii) to advocate for the global transformation of policies, practices and culture required to maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize its risk of harm, and ensure pathways to scale and sustainability.

UNGP in Kampala collaborates with African governments in their efforts around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data governance. For example, UNGP in Kampala is currently working with Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and other stakeholders to ensure Uganda develops a plan to maximize the value of data, including unlocking safe and responsible data sharing within government, government-to-business, business-to-business, and business-to-government. This effort will also see Uganda domesticate the recent  African Union (AU) Data Policy framework at the National level.

The Data and AI Policy Officer will serve as an advocate for the responsible and ethical use of data and AI to shape current dialogue towards a more equitable and inclusive future, and will engage in the following activities:

• Coordinate and support UN Global Pulse Kampala’s support to stakeholders in the development and implementation of data and AI-related policies and frameworks at national,  regional, and global levels;
• Support and coordinate organization of events, working groups, and other advocacy-related events related to digital innovation, including data and AI governance, at both national and regional levels;
• Research, analyze policy documents, and draft policy recommendations to inform the development of policies, strategies, programmes, and activities;
• Support identification, development and management of strategic partnerships for policy development and data reuse;
• Support in the documentation of the project work, including drafting, editing and reviewing written materials (project proposals, final reports, feedback surveys);
• Participate in various data and AI governance-related discussions with stakeholders and provide expert inputs to relevant policy initiatives at the national and regional levels;
• Prepare white papers, blog posts, guidance notes and other publications on data and AI-related topics;
• Work closely with the other teams in the UN Global Pulse Network, including those in sister hubs, to ensure alignment of policy work and priorities across Global Pulse;
• Support on any other task assigned by the officer in charge of UN Global Pulse Kampala, including implementation of internal data and AI-related policies and frameworks

Institutional Arrangement

• The Data and AI Policy Officer reports directly to the Lab Manager/Head of Office.

CORE

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Digital & Innovation: Data privacy and digital ethics

• Knowledge of ethical usage of digital technology (e.g. AI, robotics, automation) and data. Ability to assess ethical implications when using, combining, or sharing data, when building or implementing AI systems, and when advising on robotization and automation etc. Ability to design privacy protocols to ensure data is protected and used for legitimate purposes without unnecessary privacy risks.

Digital & Innovation: Policy/regulations for digital and emerging technology

• Ability to design or advise on regulations and policy for digital and emerging technology.

Ethics: Ethics Advice & Guidance

• Ability to quickly analyze complex fact patterns and provide comprehensive, sensitive, and confidential ethics advice and guidance

Partnership management: Relationship management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding

General (across the functions): Public relations

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organization, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public

Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Evaluation

• Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks – Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

 

Professionalism

• Ability to plan and produce quality results to meet established goals;
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Remains calm, composed, and patient when faced with conflict; manages it productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others;

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Uses time efficiently to meet project goals.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Computer Sciences, Information Technology, International Relations, Law, or other relevant fields.
• A first level degree (Bachelor’s) with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years (Master’s degree) or four years (Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience working in data privacy, data protection, data or AI governance, including AI Ethics with a focus on Global South is required;
• At least one year of professional experience in a project management position in the field of data and AI governance is desirable;
• Experience in policy research and drafting policy recommendations on digital development and digital transformation is desirable;
• Working knowledge of data and AI applications for social good is desirable;
• Familiarity with data governance, AI strategies, and data exchange and similar concepts is an asset;
• Familiarity with local, regional, and global data governance, AI, data protection and privacy regulatory and legislative frameworks is an asset;
• Working experience in the context of data partnerships development and management is an asset;
• Technical expertise or familiarity in the area of AI or data science or related technical fields, including data innovation for social good is an asset;
• Excellent writing, reporting, analytical and communication skills are an asset;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Previous UN experience is desirable.

 

Language requirement

• Fluency in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of a local language widely spoken in Uganda is required.

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