Project Implementation Expert – AI UniPod, Addis Ababa

Project Implementation Expert – AI UniPod

Description of assignment

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

Context

The AI UniPod in Addis Ababa is positioned as a strategic anchor for the programme and a universitylinked platform for applied AI innovation, experimentation and product development. Hosted in collaboration with the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and Addis Ababa University, the AI UniPod provides access to collaborative workspaces, AI lab capacity, prototyping facilities, mentorship opportunities and stakeholder networks that enable innovators to refine AI-enabled solutions, validate prototypes and engage with potential solution uptake partners. Through the METI UniPods programme, the Addis Ababa AI UniPod will support online and in-person learning pathways, residency activities, mentorship, prototype development cycles, visibility efforts and ecosystem engagement, while contributing to a stronger pipeline of market-oriented and developmentrelevant AI solutions across Africa. The project activities include the development of tailored curriculum and training materials for advanced applied AI courses, customization of an e-learning platform, delivery of advanced applied AI training modules, design and delivery of residency programmes, mentorship and facility support for applied AI prototypes, learning exchange visits, and deployment of UNVs for UniPod operations and project management. The project has a tight implementation period, multiple delivery partners and several interdependent technical and operational workstreams. Dedicated implementation support is therefore required to translate the approved annual work plan into sequenced actions, maintain delivery discipline, coordinate inputs, monitor progress, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure timely follow-up among UNDP, EAII, AAU, trainers, mentors, service providers, participants and ecosystem partners. The Implementation Support Expert will provide this hands-on support while complementing the technical leadership and fiduciary responsibilities of the respective institutions.

Task description

Under the overall supervision and the direct day-to-day guidance of the AI UniPod/EAII focal person, the UNV - Project Implementation Expert will be seconded to the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and work in close collaboration with UNDP, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and Addis Ababa University. The UNV Expert will support implementation of the METI AI UniPods programme through the following functions:

A. Implementation planning, coordination and follow-up

• Translate the approved annual work plan into a detailed six-month implementation plan, with activities, milestones, responsible parties, decision points and required operational actions.
• Maintain a consolidated implementation tracker covering curriculum development, e-learning platform customization, online training, residency programmes, mentorship, prototype development, learning exchange activities and related operations.
• Coordinate weekly implementation meetings and periodic partner review meetings; prepare agendas, minutes, action trackers and decision logs; and follow up on agreed actions.
• Align partner calendars, workplans and technical inputs to ensure coherent sequencing and avoid duplication or delivery gaps.
• Identify delays and bottlenecks, analyze their implications, recommend practical corrective actions and escalate issues requiring management decisions.

B. Advanced AI training and e-learning implementation support

• Support preparation and quality review of implementation plans, delivery schedules, participant workflows and readiness arrangements for the advanced applied AI training cohorts.
• Coordinate technical and operational inputs for curriculum and training-material development, including consultations, review cycles, version control and consolidation of partner feedback.
• Support coordination of e-learning platform customization, user requirements, content migration, user testing, issue logging, partner validation and documentation of acceptance actions.
• Maintain implementation records for participant onboarding, attendance, completion, assessment, feedback and cohort progression in collaboration with the technical partners.

C. Residency programme and event delivery support

• Support design and implementation of the two-week AI UniPod residency programmes, including detailed agendas, team workflows, mentor schedules, daily implementation plans and participant guidance.
• Coordinate facility readiness, workspaces, connectivity, computing infrastructure, learning materials and the timely availability of trainers, mentors and product assessors.
• Provide on-site implementation support during residencies, workshops, mentoring clinics, prototype reviews, Demo Day and partner-engagement activities.
• Track daily delivery, attendance, outputs, feedback, emerging issues and agreed follow-up actions and contribute to post-activity reporting.

D. Prototype development and innovation pipeline support

• Support challenge definition, milestone setting and structured product-development cycles for participating AI innovators.
• Coordinate innovator access to AI UniPod laboratories, computing resources, specialist mentors and product assessors in collaboration with AI UniPod Project team.
• Maintain a prototype pipeline tracker capturing the solution focus, team composition, development stage, technical and business milestones, mentorship received, barriers, risks and next actions.
• Coordinate milestone reviews and support teams to document user needs, technical validation, product testing, responsible AI considerations and evidence of progress.

E. Monitoring, reporting, risk and quality assurance

• Maintain a results tracker aligned with project indicators, baselines and annual targets, including appropriate participant disaggregation.
• Collect, validate and consolidate evidence of implementation, including participant records, completion data, activity reports, deliverables, prototype milestones, partner contributions, feedback and supporting documentation.
• Prepare concise weekly implementation updates and substantive monthly progress reports covering achievements, progress against milestones, upcoming priorities, delays, risks, decisions required and corrective actions.
• Conduct basic quality checks of outputs and documentation against approved terms of reference, activity plans, schedules and expected project results.
• Support preparation of evidence-based inputs for quarterly, annual, donor and final reports and ensure reported results are traceable to credible supporting evidence.

Eligibility criteria

• Age: 18 - 80
• Required experience: 7 years
• Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required
Amharic, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master's degree in AI, computer science, information technology, innovation management, project management, business administration, public administration, social sciences, or another closely related field. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field combined with additional qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree, in accordance with applicable UNV requirements.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience

• Proven ability to coordinate workshops, bootcamps, training, residencies, mentorship programmes and community events.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions, universities, innovators, start-ups, private sector actors, development partners and technical experts.
• Strong planning, coordination and follow-up skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously and deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines.
• Exposure to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship support, youth innovation or technology-for-development initiatives is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity and commitment to diversity, inclusion and meaningful engagement of women and underrepresented groups.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, advocacy, public information, 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

Addis Ababa is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The population is estimated at about 4 million or so. Addis Ababa located in the Ethiopian highlands at an altitude of 2,500-2,700 meters. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold at night, with freezing temperature at times. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and/or log fires when necessary. Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa as well as the African Union (ex-OAU). Thus, there is a very large community of expatriates from all over the world. There are some 80 embassies/diplomatic missions. Housing is most of the time readily available and the rents are, on average, reasonable. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture and clothing, mostly imported from the Middle/Far East, South Africa and Europe, or local brands, can be found, although they can be expensive. Meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables are cheap and abundantly available. The basic infrastructures - roads, utilities, and telecommunications - are below standard, as are medical facilities, which are still largely inadequate, although a few private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. There are lots of tourist attractions to visit around the country, although the amenities are often poor to average. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and cultural events throughout the year organized by the international and local communities. Sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) exist in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Addis Ababa city limits. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.”

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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