Digital Innovation and AI Junior Officer, Astana

Description of assignment title

Digital Innovation and AI Junior Officer

General

Assignment country

Kazakhstan

Duty stations

Astana

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/15/2026

Duration

6 months

Sustainable Development Goal

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Host entity

UNDP

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

Context

Kazakhstan is advancing the digital transformation of public sector, including the development of digital tools that enable central-level, regional and local authorities to use data more effectively for planning, monitoring and decision-making. UNDP Kazakhstan is supporting national and regional partners in strengthening data-driven governance and exploring opportunities for the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration. One important area of work is the further development of the Akim’s Digital Cabinet, a digital decision-support system designed to provide decision-makers with integrated information and analytical tools. The UN Volunteer will support UNDP’s broader work on AI and digital transformation. This will include contributing to the identification and development of AI use cases, supporting the exploration of AI applications within the Akim’s Digital Cabinet and other UNDP initiatives, and assisting with the development of new AI-driven project concepts and resource mobilization opportunities. The UN Volunteer will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and interact with UNDP colleagues, government counterparts, technical specialists and other partners. The assignment provides an opportunity to gain practical experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital government and sustainable development while contributing to an innovative public-sector digital transformation initiative.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Energy and Environment Unit, and in close collaboration with relevant UNDP programme and project teams, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the identification and assessment of opportunities for applying AI and data analytics across UNDP programmes and initiatives, including the Akim’s Digital Cabinet;
• Assist in identifying and documenting practical AI use cases for public administration, planning, monitoring, forecasting and evidence-based decision-making;
• Contribute to the review and analysis of available data and support the development and testing of AI-enabled prototypes and analytical solutions;
• Support research and benchmarking of international practices, emerging AI technologies and their potential application to development challenges in Kazakhstan;
• Contribute to the responsible application of AI, including consideration of data quality, transparency, privacy, security, human oversight and potential algorithmic bias;
• Participate in consultations and technical discussions with government counterparts, UNDP teams, technical specialists, development partners and other stakeholders;
• Support the identification of resource mobilization opportunities for AI-driven initiatives, including relevant donors, funding mechanisms, partnerships and calls for proposals;
• Contribute to the preparation of AI-related project concepts, concept notes, proposals, presentations and other materials for engagement with potential development partners and donors;
• Assist in documenting functional requirements, use cases, testing results, lessons learned and recommendations for AI-enabled initiatives;
• Support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities on AI, emerging technologies and digital transformation;
• Contribute to other related AI and digital transformation activities as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

1 month

Donor priorities

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA’s programme.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

No experience required

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Kazakh, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Russian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Information Systems or another relevant field

Competencies and values

Accountability

Adaptability and Flexibility

Commitment and Motivation

Communication

Creativity

Ethics and Values

Integrity

Knowledge Sharing

Professionalism

Respect for Diversity

Self-Management

Technological Awareness

Vision

Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience in:

• Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science, data analytics, digital transformation, or related emerging technologies;
• Application of AI and/or data-driven approaches to practical problems through academic projects, internships, research, volunteering, or professional experience;
• Project development, innovation, research, partnerships, and/or resource mobilization, including preparation of project concepts or proposals;
• Digital government, GovTech, public-sector innovation, or application of technology to sustainable development;
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial data analysis, and/or remote sensing would be an asset;
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (e.g., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

• Basic understanding of AI, machine learning, generative AI, and contemporary digital technologies;
• Data analysis and, preferably, basic programming skills using Python or other relevant tools;
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and assess emerging technologies and potential funding opportunities;
• Ability to contribute to the development of project concepts, proposals, and presentation materials;
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences;
• Good written communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills;
• Strong willingness to learn and ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

Area(s) of expertise

Project management, programme development, strategy, Energy, Information technology and telecommunications

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

The UN Volunteer will be based in Astana, Kazakhstan. Astana is the capital city of Kazakhstan. The city lies on the banks of the Ishim River in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, though administered as a city with special status separately from the rest of the region. Astana is the second-largest city in the country, after Almaty. Astana is a safe town, but the usual precautions should still exercise. Medical services: No special vaccination is required to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan. Medical services (including dental care) are provided at European standards. Clinics working 24 hours are available in the city. There are both private and state clinics and hospitals. Astana is a modern and well-developed capital city offering a safe and comfortable living environment, with good access to housing, public transportation, healthcare, shopping, restaurants and other essential services. The city has a continental climate, with warm summers and long, cold winters, during which temperatures can fall significantly below freezing. Astana is well connected internationally and offers a multicultural environment with a growing international community. Russian and Kazakh are widely spoken, while English is increasingly used in international organizations, businesses and services The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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