Programme Associate - Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (D4SD Hub), Rabat

Description of assignment title

Programme Associate - Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (D4SD Hub)

Assignment country

Morocco

Duty stations

Rabat

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/01/2026

Duration

6 months

Sustainable Development Goal

10. Reduced inequalities

Host entity

UNDP

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network. It supports countries in developing policies, leadership skills, partnerships, institutional capacities and resilience to advance sustainable development. In Morocco, UNDP combines international expertise with local knowledge to help address national development priorities and convenes national and international partners around the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Its work promotes inclusive, resilient and sustainable development, strengthens institutions and territorial governance, advances social inclusion, and supports climate action as well as green and digital transitions.

Context

The D4SD Hub (Digital for Sustainable Development Hub) is a regional platform for inclusive digital transformation in the Arab States and Africa, jointly established by the Government of Morocco and UNDP, and officially launched in September 2025. Anchored in the «Digital Morocco 2030» strategy and the «AI Made in Morocco» roadmap, the Hub supports countries in the region in mobilizing artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure (DPI) to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). - AI & Data Science; - Digital Talent Development; - Digital Public Infrastructure, Policy & Regulatory Harmonization, and Sectoral Digital Integration (health, education, environment, among others). The Hub's governance was formally established in June 2026 through the inaugural meeting of its High-Level Advisory Board, which brings together governments, international organizations, academia and the private sector around the region's digital transformation priorities. Morocco and other countries in the region face a persistent shortage of technical and regulatory capacity to design, procure and govern AI systems responsibly. Public administrations often lack the in-house skills to translate national AI ambitions into safe, effective and locally-owned digital solutions. In this context, the D4SD Hub has developed a capacity-building programme for government officials, combining a non-technical track for decision-makers (AI literacy, procurement, risk assessment) and a technical track for AI practitioners (hands-on tool development, bias detection, explainability), alongside knowledge products, pilot projects and partnerships supporting responsible and sovereign AI adoption across the region. The Hub works closely with UNDP's Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS), Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA), the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the UN Office of Information and Communications Technology (UN OICT) and national institutions to expand its partnerships, mobilize technical expertise and operationalize its regional service offer. Within this dynamic and fast-evolving environment, the UN Volunteer will contribute directly to the coordination, knowledge management and outreach activities of the D4SD Hub, working alongside a small, agile team at the interface of AI policy, capacity-building and international partnerships. This assignment offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and multilateral cooperation, within a newly established regional hub of strategic importance to Morocco and its partners.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme and Operations) and the day-to-day supervision of the Programme Analyst – D4SD, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support to the AI Capacity-Building Programme
   • Support the design and contextual adaptation of training materials for the Hub's two-track capacity-building programme (non-technical track for decision-makers and technical track for AI practitioners).
   • Support the organization and logistics of training cohorts and workshops for government officials across ministries and partner countries.
   • Contribute to monitoring participants' action plans and to compiling feedback and lessons learned from each cohort.
   • Prepare data tables, fact sheets and summary materials on AI governance trends, use cases and challenges relevant to the public sector.
   • Contribute to identifying institutional and technical constraints limiting the adoption of responsible AI practices in partner administrations.
2. Support to Hub Coordination and Partnerships
   • Support coordination with the D4SD High-Level Advisory Board and international partners, including UNDP HQ, RBAS, RBA, UNOSSC and UN OICT.
   • Contribute to drafting briefing notes, concept notes, presentations and other programme documents for the Hub's governance and partnership activities.
   • Support the monitoring of the Hub's annual work plan, reporting requirements and follow-up on recommendations from missions and meetings.
   • Contribute to research and knowledge products on AI governance frameworks, digital public infrastructure and digital public goods relevant to the Hub's sectoral pilots (health, agriculture, social protection, among others).

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

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

1 month

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

French, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in:

• Computer Science
• Data Science / Artificial Intelligence
• Information Systems
• Public Policy
• International Development
• Digital Transformation
• Economics
• Public Administration
• Political Science / International Relations

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in:

• artificial intelligence, data science,
• digital transformation,
• public policy for technology,
• digital public infrastructure,
• or related fields, including through academic projects, internships, volunteering or ex-tracurricular activities.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

• Research and analysis of AI governance and digital transformation issues;
• Basic understanding of AI/data concepts and tools (no coding required);
• Data collection, processing and visualization;
• Preparation of presentations, briefs, reports and other programme documents;
• Stakeholder mapping and coordination with international partners;
• Knowledge of AI governance, digital public infrastructure or digital public goods is an asset;
• Good command of MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint;
• Strong organizational, communication and teamwork skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment;
• Interest in the SDGs, responsible AI and digital transformation for development.

Area(s) of expertise

Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Project management, programme development, strategy, Innovation, foresight, change management

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

Morocco is a Maghreb country located in the northwest of Africa. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. Deserts, plains and mostly mountains make up this territory of 446,550 square km, with a population of 35.3 million. Iliteracy (about 30%), poverty (about 4.8% of the population), unemployment (10% to 15%), life expectancy at birth (70%) and infant mortality (4%) occupy a relatively small place in the UN Human Development Index category. The country has undergone political, institutional and demographic transitions over the past decade, gaining three places in the world's human development rankings. The country is in the security phase I. Rabat is the capital of Morocco. The city is located on the edge of the Atlantic in northwestern Morocco, 40 km south of Kenitra and 240 km southwest of Tangier and the Strait of Gibraltar, and 87 km northeast of Casablanca. It is separated from the town of Salé at the mouth of the Bouregreg, hence their nickname "twin cities". The climate of the city is a Mediterranean-style climate, subject to the four distinct seasons. Winters are cool and rainy, with nighttime minimums of less than 5 degrees Celsius, or sometimes as high as 0 degrees Celsius, and pleasant days around 17 degrees Celsius. Frosts are relatively rare. Summers are very hot, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the nights are always cool and the humidity of the ocean air is clearly felt. Accommodation is available at reasonable prices.

Location of the work place The programme associate will be based in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, offering reliable services including housing, transportation, banking, shopping, and medical facilities. Rabat has around 500,000 inhabitants and is located on the Atlantic coast, 90 km from Casablanca, the country’s largest city and main international airport. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with cool, rainy winters (around 5–17 °C) and hot summers (sometimes exceeding 35 °C). Morocco is geographically and culturally diverse, featuring coasts, mountains, deserts, forests, and a rich cultural heritage.

Housing In Rabat, a variety of housing options is available, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as houses. Monthly rental costs vary depending on the type and size of the property, as indicated in the table below (USD). Several real estate agencies provide information on available properties, and additional sources include classified ads, posters in stores, word-of-mouth recommendations, and personal networks.

Cost of Living Rabat offers a moderate cost of living compared to other major Moroccan cities. Monthly expenses for a single expatriate, including housing, utilities, transportation, food, and basic services, typically range between USD 1,000 and 1,500, depending on lifestyle and housing choice. Housing constitutes the largest portion of living costs, followed by transportation and daily necessities. Rabat provides access to quality services, shopping, healthcare, and recreational facilities, contributing to a comfortable standard of living for international staff.

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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