Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technical Solutions Consultant

The incumbent will both develop own solutions as well as support the technical aspects of pilot delivery which will put to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to catalyze maximum impact at WFP. The role demands the ability to both assess and communicate the technical value of AI technologies to business stakeholders, while applying them to solve complex problems in the field. Lastly, the consultant will be supporting the scouting for and building collaborations with AI thought leaders and organizations. The role is based in Munich but may require travel to the Headquarters (HQ), to work and liaise with the WFP Technology Division (TEC), and other units, based out of the WFP Headquarters in Rome as well as colleagues in Country Offices (COs) and Regional Bureaus (RBs) around the world., The incumbent, reporting to the Head of Innovative Finance, Frontier Innovations and Venture, is expected to:

1.Drive the responsible development of selected AI & ML based software solutions fromideation to pilot implementation (Technology Readiness Level 5-6) via the WFP AI Sandbox:

a.Use available tools and expertise to develop lightweight technology prototypes totest research hypotheses.

b.Develop architecture standards, templates, and principles for WFP InnovationAccelerator AI projects in line with corporate standards and present them to theWFP IT Architectural Board for endorsement.

c.Map solution design to WFP Enterprise Architecture standards and referencearchitectures.

d.Collaborate with all necessary stakeholders, including business and IT roles, togather needed input to derive, develop and document an agreed upon solution.

e.Drive the project team in applicable operational and procurement processeslinked to the projects, as needed.

f.Provide guidance on applying agile project management methods (e.g., Scrum,Kanban) in projects, as required. Provide effort estimations for softwaredevelopment and appropriate project delivery.

g.Liaise with the TEC Division to provide WFP Innovation Accelerator, internal andexternal stakeholders and vendors with appropriate software-developmentinfrastructure and access to WFP.

2.Present and provide technical insights linked to AI & ML concepts to WFP AI Sandbox, peersacross WFP (HQ, RBs and COs) and external stakeholders in order to introduce and explainthe technology and foster appropriate use-case ideas:

a.Advise and support WFP AI Sandbox innovation teams on key decisions regardingtechnical product features, technology elements, and relevant technologyvendors/partners.

b.Coach project teams from ideation to implementation (as applicable), usingmethodologies such as human-centered design, lean start-up, projectmanagement and SCRUM.

c.Participate and carry out discussions with WFP colleagues in other divisions or inWFP operations to showcase the potential value of AI to address humanitarian andfood security challenges.

d.Provide technical inputs to Frontier Innovation and Accelerator strategy and plans.

3.Support the overall Innovation Accelerator operations:

a.Provide analysis & content preparation (data on projects, PowerPointpresentations, briefs, etc.) for corporate priority topics and managementmeetings;

b.Participate and carry out discussions with colleagues in other divisions or external stakeholders on topics related to innovation;

c. Support other core processes of the Innovation Accelerator (e.g. innovation sourcing; innovation bootcamps; sprint programme; thought leadership; scale-up enablement; innovation services; knowledge management) as required; Support the Head of the Innovation Accelerator and the Director of Innovation and Knowledge Management with any other activities as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Ensure that AI & ML technologies are being used to deliver maximum value to WFP.

• Provide sound technical advice on AI & ML topics to projects and initiatives.

• Ensure that the Frontier Innovations & Knowledge Management AI & ML portfolio is delivered at a high quality and in-line with WFP corporate IT standards, where required., * We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, (Applied) Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or equivalent. Master’s degree is a plus. Certifications in software architecture (CITA-P, SOA, or alike) is also a plus.

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in a technical role such as software development of which 3 years in Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning product management role or equivalent.

Technical Skills and expertise:

• Experience in developing and implementing AI and ML solutions, with a focus on foundational techniques such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Deep Learning, or Robotics.

• Knowledge of data analysis, data preprocessing, and feature engineering techniques to support the development of AI and ML models.

• Familiarity with cloud-based AI services and platforms, such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud, and exposure to deploying AI models in a scalable manner.

• Specific AI frameworks and libraries experience

• Familiarity with common AI frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras, and ability to utilize them for basic AI model development and training.

• Exposure to popular AI libraries and tools for natural language processing, computer vision, or other AI domains, such as spaCy, OpenCV, HuggingFace or scikit-learn.

• AI-related software engineering skills

• Basic proficiency in software engineering best practices, version control systems (e.g., Git), and collaborative development workflows for AI applications.

• Programming skills in languages commonly used in AI development, such as Python, Java, Scala, or R, and ability to write clean and maintainable code.

• AI deployment and productization familiarity

• Exposure to deploying AI models in development or testing environments and understanding the basic concepts of integrating AI solutions with existing systems or APIs.

• Knowledge of AI ethics and responsible AI practices

• Awareness of ethical considerations in AI development, including bias mitigation, fairness, and privacy protection. Basic understanding of responsible AI practices, including data governance and transparency in AI decision-making.

• Passionate to build and apply technology innovations (e.g. mobile apps, blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning) for social impact.

• Knowledge and experience implementing agile project management methodologies and able to get things done in an hands-on way.

• Proven track record in driving projects - effectively delivering impactful elements of projects in a fast-moving environment, ideally for new businesses, new business models, start-ups.

• Able to generate new and original solutions to complex problems, to design new product ideas, and to develop non- functional requirements for technical prototypes.

• Strong analytical skills to assess business requirements to develop innovative projects.

• Strong communication skills, collaborative spirit, able to partner with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.

• Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy.

• Sets a high-level of ambition for the project and own work to achieve impact for the vulnerable people we serve. Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme.

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory. Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is a plus.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves., * WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe., The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We are currently seeking to fill an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technical Solutions Consultant position in the Innovation Division, based in Munich, Germany.

Brief description of WFP Innovation Accelerator, INNA:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency fighting hunger. WFP reaches more than 100 million people every day - delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with smallholder farmers, communities, and governments to improve nutrition and build resilience.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was named by Fast Company as Most Innovative Non-Profit Organization 2021 for its work in identifying, nurturing, and scaling disruptive start-ups and innovations to end global hunger. Based in Munich, Germany, the Innovation Accelerator provides WFP employees and start-ups with funding, hands-on support, and access to WFP’s global operations. Through the Accelerator, WFP is leveraging unprecedented advances in digital innovation - such as mobile technology, artificial intelligence, and blockchain - and new business models to transform the way it serves vulnerable communities across the world. In 2023, Accelerator supported innovations that positively impacted the lives of more than 60.7 million people globally. The Accelerator runs programmes with external partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Austrian Development Agency, and others.