ICT Analyst (AI Developer)

Background
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Office/Unit/Project Description

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by UNDP and follows all UNDP rules and regulations. UNV is the UN system common service that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

UNV’s Management Services hold the responsibility for the strategic planning, managerial leadership, oversight, and quality control of an integrated platform of operational services ensuring timely, effective and efficient delivery according to corporate performance standards and in compliance with the UN Regulations and Rules and UNDP´s accountability framework.

The Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS) is responsible for the running operations of all ICT on-premises and cloud datacenters, cloud platforms and services, business applications, corporate websites, helpdesk, videoconferences, security services, hardware, software, network, and telecommunications services. This includes application system analysis, design, development and maintenance, local and global telecommunication networks, commercial hardware and software installation and operation (at both desktop and network levels), internet, and email. ICTS is also providing network and support services to other UN Agencies in UN Bonn Campus. ICTS is working in close collaboration with UNDP ITM department.

The use of AI is growing in Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP) and there are several new large AI projects UNV plans to pursue. The ICT Analyst (AI Developer) will directly contribute to these projects, being focal point and/or lead for some of these.

Duties and Responsibilities

AI Development and Integration

• Develop AI solutions leveraging existing platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure and OpenAI, while exploring new AI capabilities beyond Microsoft offerings.
• Build and maintain AI models and solutions for process automation, data analytics, and operational improvements.
• Design, implement, and maintain Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for AI integrations across various UNV systems, ensuring seamless interaction between services.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their needs and develop AI-driven solutions tailored to those requirements.
• Coordinate the work of outsourced company developers on the requirements for the AI-related system changes / development, discuss technical issues and get the solutions as per the agreed contracts.
• Enhance existing UNV applications with AI-driven functionalities, focusing on both cloud-based and on-premises systems.

Systems Design and Technical Specifications

• Translate business needs into technical specifications, with a focus on AI applications and integration.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all AI-related developments, ensuring clarity and ease of future updates.
• Perform systems analysis to identify opportunities for AI enhancements.

AI Project Leadership and Coordination

• Lead the AI development cycle from design through to deployment and post-launch support. 
• Coordinate with external consultants or developers working on AI-related projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with UNV’s goals. 
• Oversee the implementation and performance monitoring of AI models, ensuring continuous improvement. 
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of AI solutions to ensure their reliability and effectiveness. 
• Create comprehensive documentation for AI models, algorithms, and integration processes to facilitate knowledge sharing and maintenance. 

Monitoring and Optimization

• Proactively monitor AI solution performance, adjusting algorithms and models as necessary to improve accuracy, speed, and reliability.
• Continuously refine and improve AI models to enhance their performance and accuracy over time. 
• Monitor AI-related costs, as well as overall AI solution performance, and make relevant optimization recommendations.
• Ensure no AI-born biases are introduced with new solutions; and evaluate existing AI solutions for the same.
• Ensure security and ethical compliance in the deployment and use of AI solutions, following UNV and UNDP’s guidelines.

Other Duties

• Provide expert advice on AI and emerging technologies to help shape UNV’s digital transformation strategy.
• Conduct demonstrations, training sessions and be the overall focal point for users inquiries related to AI.
• Monitor and attend Service Desk cases related to AI and adjoint subjects.
• Prepare relevant documentation as required.
• Stay current with developments in AI technologies and tools, sharing knowledge across the organization.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangement

The ICT Analyst (AI Developer) will work under the direct supervision of the Systems Development Specialist in ICTS.

Competencies   Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies    Information Management & Technology - IT Service Delivery & Operations

• Ability to deliver IT products and services to customers at the right level of Quality and Costs, taking into account user experience. ISO 20000 knowledge is desirable

Digital & Innovation- Systems thinking & transformation

• Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach
• Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue
• Ability to develop a collective understanding by a mapping systems and their dynamics (e.g. flows or resources, information; power relations); is able to handle ambiguity and can help others navigate it. Being able to identify intervention points to leverage change and system transformation by setting out a coherent collection of multiple interventions to probe the system for desirable effects
• Understand that change is non-linear and unpredictable; being comfortable and able to work with emergence

Information Management & Technology - Programming

• Knowledge of programming concepts, developing software programs and management of application lifecycle. Knowledge of Oracle VCBS, Microsoft tools and equivalent an asset

Information Management & Technology - IT Customer Support

• Ability to support l customers on IT related issues and generate and contribute to continuous improvement processes to deliver a great user experience. Knowledge of ISO 9001 desirable. ITIL certification or similar is desirable

Digital & Innovation -Data literacy 

• Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation
• Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration

Business Direction and Strategy : System thinking 

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Information Technology, Computer Science or related discipline is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in the area of information and communication technology and AI.

Required skills and competencies

• Experience with machine learning algorithms and techniques (e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, etc.) is required 
• Knowledge of natural language processing (NLP) and experience in using custom LLMs
• Experience in databases (MSSQL) and complex SQL queries is required 
• Experience with distributed version control (GIT, SVN, Mercurial, etc.) is required
• Strong proficiency in Python programming language and related libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras)
• Working experience using Azure portal & services is required
• Working Experience in IT Business Analysis and requirements gathering is required.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience in developing web applications with Microsoft technologies (C#, .Net) is an asset
• Azure AI search and Azure AI studio
• Experience in delivering application components involving web services (such as REST APIs, Kubernetes, Azure service bus) is an asset
• Knowledge of AI ethics and responsible AI practices
• A track record of successful AI project implementation 
• Experience with React front end is an asset.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset. 

Other

• Candidate to be located within reasonable (max 3 hours) time difference with Central European Time Zone

 Disclaimer   Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 
  Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.   Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.   Non-discrimination 
  UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.   
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