ICT Product Advisor (Data Insights & AI)

Functions/Key Results Expected

1. Guides the establishment of robust team practices for gathering and internalizing user needs in social and humanitarian action
2. Guides the development of product vision and development pipeline
3. Advises on structuring the collaboration with pro bono partners in service of product delivery and UN capacity building
4. Guides the development of robust and practical processes for managing risks arising from using data and AI-enabled products in humanitarian contexts
5. Advises the development of sustainable long-term operating model for Disha and other strategic questions as appropriate

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general guidance and supervision of Senior Programme Manager (Strategy lead – Global Data Access Initiative), the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Guides the Disha team in coordinating research with key user groups to understand and capture the evolving user needs for the strategic focus within the area of data insights for social and humanitarian action

• Guides the Disha team in establishing regular dialogue with key user groups to test the success or failure of meeting prioritized needs during the development of products through user testing, qualitative and quantitative monitoring following continuous delivery principles.

• Leads the drawing together of user needs in a cohesive, evolving, sustainable and implementable product designs in collaboration with the other Disha Leads and with support of pro bono partners.

• Guides the Disha team in developing product vision, objectives, user benefits

• Advises the Disha team on the creation and execution of the software development pipeline in alignment with the product vision

• Works with Tech Lead and Engineers to break down work into implementable pieces.

• Guides the regular prioritization of pieces of work in collaboration with Tech Lead(s) to ensure delivery of the most desirable, viable and feasible technology as fast as possible for users' needs, i.e. following a lean /agile approach. Including bringing user testing feedback into the loop of developing the software and AI.

• Advises the development of product testing protocols and practices

• Advises the Head of Disha in initial engagement and set up of partnership working with pro bono partners from the technology industry and academia.

• Advises the development and design of the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders for effective collaboration and project success.

• Advises the Head of Disha on the development of pro-bono partner engagement strategy that is sustainable and allows for a delivery of high-quality dependable products.

• Builds capacity of UN Global Pulse colleagues in AI Product Management, user research, other modern technology practices to support the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.

• Develops methods to encourage pro bono technology partners to share their expertise and support capacity building.

• Guides Disha Policy Lead and on designing and implementing a robust and practical process for managing human rights and legal risks associated with the use of data and AI-enabled products in high sensitivity contexts

• Guides Disha Policy Lead on gathering appropriate stakeholder feedback on the risk management process

• Advises the implementation of the risk management process to ensure follow-through by in-house and pro-bono development teams

• Guides the development of adequate risk mitigation practices to ensure Disha products are safe to use in a humanitarian context, and their limitations are well understood by the users

• Advises the Head of Disha on the development of long-term vision for the Disha project

• Illuminates the pathway towards sustainable operating and funding model for the Disha project, including models for long-term service maintenance, support, and scale.

• Advises the development of ongoing practices for impact measurement and reporting.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of Disha objectives could accelerate the ability of social and humanitarian actors to utilize the benefits of AI and big data at a faster pace in these unprecedented times of fragility and uncertainty of climate-fuelled natural disasters and intense conflicts.

In addition, successful delivery of Disha’s vision would position UN Global Pulse project and its regional hub in Asia Pacific as a capable, trusted, and trustworthy voice in digital equity and as an advocate for a fair digital common. In turn, promoting the image of UN Global Pulse as an effective convener and leader in digital innovation and enhancing UNGP’s competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services at the global, regional, and local level.