Consultant - AI and Data Readiness

Result of Service

Expected outputs and delivery dates • By 30 August: o Output 1: Detailed workplan with key outputs and targets • By 30 September: o Output 2: Synthesis report of existing materials, including tools, policy frameworks and practical guidance as it relates to AI readiness for official statistics, with specific relevance to African LDCs o Output 3: Draft agenda of the regional workshop o Output 4: Progress report related to work assignments as outlined in this ToR, including summary of engagements with countries and partners, and identified use cases, in preparation of the workshop. • By 30 October: o Output 5: Draft materials for the workshop, including presentations, templates, tool, practical exercises, a participant package, and facilitation guide, a country roadmap template, to be used during the workshop in consultation with and for feedback by UNSD and relevant partners. • By 15 November: o Output 6: Progress report related to work assignments as outlined in this ToR. o Output 7: Final materials for the workshop, including presentations, templates, tools, practical exercises, a participant package, a country roadmap template, to be used during the workshop. • By 30 December: o Output 8: Post-workshop report for publishing, summarizing the outcomes and discussions of the workshop, key challenges and needs identified by countries, follow-up matrix, opportunities for regional or partner support, and agreed way forward o Output 9: Report on all work carried out under the consultancy, including results achieved and lessons learned Performance indicators • Communication with the countries and partners and the degree to which in-country contacts are handled diplomatically • Quality of the contributions during meetings/workshop and guidance materials prepared and developed; including the degree of them being reader-friendly, concise, clearly structured, organized and written. • Collaboration with the UNSD project team and other key stakeholders to the project. • Timeliness of delivery of outputs. • Degree of alignment of outputs with continental, regional and national frameworks related to AI readiness, data governance, digital transformation and official statistics • Quality, practicality and usability of the workshop tools, templates and guidance materials, including their relevance to African LDC contexts

Work Location

The consultancy is home-based with regular phone and web conference meetings with UNSD, project countries and other partners. Travel or commute time, as well as related expenses, are not part of the consultancy. The consultant is also required to travel to the regional workshop, and other events as relevant. Travel Authorization will be granted to the consultant prior to the travel date. The travel itineraries will be determined in due course and the related costs will be obligated separately.

Expected duration

The consultancy is part-time for the period 17 August to 31 December 2026. The consultancy may be extended based on need.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Data for Now initiative (https://unstats.un.org/capacity-development/data-for-now/), co-led by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), aims to develop countries’ capacities to deliver the information needed by local and national policy and decision makers to achieve the 2030 Agenda. To this end, it supports members of the national statistical systems in participating countries to collaborate more effectively with local, national and global partners from intergovernmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector, in order to leverage innovative sources, technologies and methods for the streamlined production and dissemination of better, more timely and disaggregated data for sustainable development. As part of its implementation, UNSD, in collaboration with partners is organizing a regional workshop to equip least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa with the necessary skills to build foundational capabilities for AI-adoption. The specific objectives are to foster the integration and uptake of regional and national AI strategies, and statistical frameworks, strategies and laws; enhance knowledge and understanding of the foundational dimensions to advance AI readiness for official statistics; facilitate collaboration between national statistical offices and digital government entities to leverage existing national capacities; present existing tools available at the global level and offer practical sessions on selected tools for their application in national contexts; take stock of country needs and priorities to inform partner support and contribute to global dialogue. In this context, UNSD is seeking services for an AI consultant who can support the development of practical level guidance materials related to strengthen AI readiness for official statistics, and support the implementation of the regional workshop. The aim of the materials is to help countries in advancing foundational capabilities for adopting AI, including data management and dissemination practices, strengthening quality controls, enhancing governance, and investing in new skills, technologies and partnerships, primarily in African least development countries. The activities highlighted above require close collaboration with the Data for Now team as well as key partners such as United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), and national statistical offices and digital government agencies in selected countries, as well as the UN country teams, donors and other international partners supporting statistical development initiatives linked to the initiative. Under the supervision of the Data for Now coordinator at UNSD, and guidance from partners, the consultant’s work assignment will involve the following: • Prepare a detailed plan of activities, specifying key outputs and timelines, in close consultation with the UNSD team; • Review existing materials and tools on AI readiness for official statistics to develop workshop materials and content targeted towards African LDCs; • Synthesize regional and national AI strategies, and relevant statistical frameworks, strategies and laws; • Engage with partners and stakeholders at the regional and global level, including the Data for Now core-team, UN agencies, donors as well as partners in civil society, academia, private sector to gather inputs to prepare the workshop materials. • Interview selected countries to understand the gaps and challenges in African LDCs, and capture national experiences and realities that will feed into the development of materials; • Identify use cases to showcase effective country examples related to AI readiness for official statistics. • Contribute, and participate as relevant, to the events in the lead up of the regional workshop. • Prepare the regional workshop on AI readiness for official statistics. This includes: • Organizing the workshop with support from UNSD and partners • Preparing materials for the regional workshop • Act as facilitator at the regional workshop together with others from UNSD and other partners • Coordinate with partners and countries to gather inputs and feedback • Document lessons learned from the regional workshop and related activities and prepare the post-workshop report. • Other tasks related to Data for Now as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, data science, development studies, or a related field. A technology-based qualification is an advantage. A Bachelor’s degree in combination with nine (9) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in social sciences, including statistics, economics, digital transformation, or data science is required. A minimum of three (3) years of experience working with national statistical systems, including national statistics offices, particularly in developing countries is required. Demonstrated experience in data governance, data management, and data quality frameworks, ideally in relation to AI or advanced analytics for official statistics is required. Solid knowledge of statistical production, ideally with particular focus on the use of non-traditional data sources, metadata development, and quality management is required. Experience supporting or designing capacity development initiatives, including training, workshops, or technical guidance materials is required. Strong understanding of AI adoption challenges and opportunities in the public sector, especially in low-resource settings, is desirable. Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and national efforts to implement them is desirable.

Languages

Full command of spoken and written English is required, knowledge of French is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.