Emerging Technologies for Development Adviser at British High Commission Nairobi

Main purpose of job:

• The role of an Emerging Technologies/AI for Development (ETA4D) Adviser in Kenya is to drive the UK’s work on building science and technology partnerships for sustainable development. The role is multifaceted, focusing on promoting the use of emerging technologies and AI to drive economic growth, socio-economic development, and inclusive and secure delivery of government services. This will be a demand-driven role that will need to be flexible and responsive and is tasked with offering technical assistance and advice on the use of emerging technologies for development (including but not limited to systemic enhancements, demand and supply market factors in their adoption, implementation, and regulation in Kenya the wider region).  Areas of focus may include policies, strategies, regulations, and guidelines aligned to the UK and Kenya Governments' priorities. The role will be situated within the Science, Innovation and Technology team, based at the British High Commission in Nairobi. The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee new work around AI and Emerging Technologies in Kenya, building meaningful partnerships and collaboration between the two countries and promoting transparent and effective decision-making regarding the management and utilization of emerging technologies including AI in Kenya, with a particular emphasis on AI standards/safety and inclusivity.
• In the initial phases, the role will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Development, including exploring the use of AI technologies to tackle socioeconomic issues and promote sustainable development, enhance the delivery of Government services, and drive the start-up economy. This position requires a thorough understanding of the landscape of emerging technologies including AI in Kenya (and the broader region), the potential opportunities and challenges it presents, as well some knowledge and understanding of the broader societal context for the roll out of emerging technologies, and the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern their implementation.
• A new UK digital development strategy sets out how the UK will lead the way and partner with countries around the globe, so that no one is left behind in a digital world. It is premised on the understanding that Digital technologies can support development, for example, mobile money and financial technology have had a huge impact by including people around the world in the digital economy. Likewise, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost health research and reduce the cost of drug development. UK intends to deliver on AI for Development aimed at building local capacity to develop and apply AI responsibly, with an initial focus on Africa, alongside an uplift of investment in AI across our sectoral research portfolios The UK Government’s Digital Development strategy 2024-2030 focuses on four critical interconnected objectives of Digital transformation, Inclusion, Responsibility and Sustainability.
• In the last five years, UK has been implementing the Digital Access Programme in five Countries ( Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia) with the objective of  catalysing affordable inclusive safe and secure digital access for the digitally excluded populations. Since its inception it  has reached over 7.5 million people with digital inclusion models.
• The job holder will report to the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Kenya and provide support in the design, development and delivery of the programme plan, including managing risks, monitoring implementation and reporting on programme progress against set intervention targets under each of the pillars of the programme and on the resourcing requirements needed to deliver them.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Innovation and Research: Collaborate with multiple stakeholders including with Universities, Research Institutions and innovation networks including UK Kenya Tech Hub (UKKTH) and East Africa Research and Innovation Hub (EARIH) to address Kenya’s and indeed Africa’s development challenges in areas such as Agriculture & Food Systems, Education, Climate Action, Sexual & Reproductive Health, Gender/Inclusion and Government Services.
• Systemic Enhancements: Engage with multiple stakeholders to inform and facilitate the development of public policies, standards and regulations that promote the inclusive benefits of emerging technologies including AI, while mitigating potential costs and risks.
• Talent Development: Support the amplification of Kenyan AI talent through UK initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent that responds to the talent requirements of the public and private sector.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engage with multiple stakeholders in Kenya and the region, as well as international partners, to leverage AI technologies in the service of solving development challenges and improving livelihoods for those living in poverty.
• Responsible AI Practices: Advocate for responsible AI practices that address and mitigate the risks associated with AI, including reinforcing structural inequalities, perpetuating gender imbalances, threatening jobs, and facilitating oppressive government surveillance and exclusion
• Ensure all activity complies with the new FCDO Programme Operating Framework.
• In this role, you will ensure the projects, programmes and portfolio are compliant with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout programmes and supporting ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives International women and girls strategy.

Roles and responsibilities: 

• The Emerging Technologies/ AI for Development (ETA4D) Adviser (Kenya) will be responsible for strengthening the UK-Kenya partnership around emerging technologies and AI  – working with the SI&T pillar team at post and with the cross-government colleagues in the UK.  The role presents unique opportunities to advance science partnerships between Kenya and UK and to promote the use of emerging technologies to drive economic, social and environmental impacts at a time when these issues are of increasing importance on the international agenda. 
• The indicative time allocation is shown below.

40%

Programme Coordination and Management

• Lead the development of UK’s existing and new activities around Emerging Tech and AI in Kenya, including helping to coordinate and bring together bilateral interventions, as well as collaborative work with other implementing partners, in coordination with other ST&I Advisers, ensuring coherence wider UK Government/ X-HMG portfolio. This will require an ability to apply project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The job holder will maintain and build new relationships with key stakeholders (in-country and globally, including from the UK. This will include continued mapping of related activities/programmes in Kenya and the UK, ensuring coherence and alignment and minimizing duplication, in order to promote UK Government strategic objectives around Emerging Tech including AI.
• The job holder will lead on the internal and external communication on UK’s engagement in emerging tech and AI initiatives Kenya, helping to ensure visibility is properly managed and that the UK government gains recognition for its work. The post holder will support implementation of the Programme’s communications strategy as approved by the Programme’s governance structure. The post-holder will also support the organisation and delivery of key visits from the UK, related to the implementation and promotion of Emerging Tech including AI.
• The post-holder will be expected to regularly join key meetings and record outcomes, remotely where required, and provide regular updates on the progress of the AI Portfolio in Kenya.

40%

Policy and programme delivery

• Monitor changes in Kenya Emerging Tech ecosystem, including AI, cyber security, internet governance and telecoms regulatory environment.  Monitor the emerging technological innovations and new business models that drive safe and inclusive AI and digital transformation, responsibility, and sustainability for the most disadvantaged populations in Kenya.
• Play a key role in advocacy and influencing of key decision-makers in the Kenyan government, and in civil society and private sector - in support of the programmes objectives in these areas.  This will involve building relationships that help to drive forward UK policy priorities around safety, responsibility and inclusivity in AI and digital/cyber policy areas, as well as promoting the development of policy through diplomatic engagement.
• Lead on the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning around the UK’s work on emerging tech and AI. This will include  reporting back and sharing analysis with government colleagues and other key stakeholders.  Coordinate own work with others in the British High Commission in Nairobi, and relevant government departments in London. It is expected that the jobholder will deliver quality service in a matrix management environment.

10%

Amplification of UK AI Initiatives

• Support amplification of UK Government’s Emerging Tech including AI initiatives impact by identifying opportunities to expand the digital/emerging tech including AI market and help international (including UK) companies trade with and/or invest into it, including through close collaboration with Host Government Ministries, Counties, Departments and Agencies (MCDDA) at (country-level team). 

10%

Corporate

• As all other BHC staff at post, the job holder is expected to contribute to the work of the British High Commission by supporting other activities. These may include being active on various committees and in other corporate roles, and any other ad hoc assignments.

Resources managed:

• No direct line management is envisaged initially although this may change depending on future requirements of the programme. Teamwork and coordination experience, particularly across different geographies is preferred given the jobholder will need to work closely with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including in Kenya and in the UK. 
• There will be some possibilities for travel in the region and to the UK, as needed by the Programme’s objectives and priorities.  Relevant job-related training will be provided as required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline;
• Experience of managing and delivery of large and/or complex programmes with good eye for detail
• Experience of developing and applying tools to support effective project management as well as delivery control of implementing partners
• Experience of developing and executing programme/project implementation plans
• Experience of applying project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Supporting the commissioning of work packages or procuring delivery through external implementing partners and contract management

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Undergraduate qualification in one of the following field:
  • Information Systems, Information Technology, Cyber security, information security, Business Information Technology, computer science or any other relevant discipline
• Professional experience in one of the following areas will be desirable,
  • Emerging Tech including AI, digital access (innovative models for inclusive connectivity, use of digital technologies for development), telecommunications, digital/ICT, cyber security, and community engagement.
• Knowledge and understanding of Information Society and ICTs for Development Agenda
• Experience of working in an international development context, including managing/working with development programmes, including in Kenya
• Experience of working in or with government in Kenya
• Experience of working in the private sector or organised civil society in relevant fields (e.g. use of Emerging Tech including cyber security and Artificial Intelligence) or digital transformation, use of digital for development,
• Experience at policy, regulatory as well as field level will be considered relevant
• Experience of remote working as part of a larger team.