AI and Data Specialist, Information Technology Solutions Office (ITSO), New York, P-4

The Position:

UNFPA is seeking a skilled AI and Data Specialist to spearhead the establishment of its AI, Data, and Knowledge practice within the Digital Center of Excellence (CoE) of the Information Technology Solutions Office. This pivotal role will be instrumental in advancing UNFPA’s 2026-2029 Digital Strategy by architecting and leading end-to-end AI and data initiatives, with a particular focus on leveraging program-related data to enhance global, regional, and country-level programming.

This position reports directly to the Chief.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

As an integral member of the Digital Center of Excellence (CoE), the AI and Data Specialist will drive the practical application and strategic adoption of AI and Data solutions across UNFPA. This position’s primary function is to serve as an IT Leader and Product Manager for key Digital CoE initiatives, leading the full lifecycle of data and AI products to spearhead solutions that meet the data and AI needs of UNFPA programmes, supporting accelerated impact.

You would be responsible for:

A. Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Solutioning

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to formulate the long-term AI strategy, implementation roadmap, and use-case prioritization plan that directly supports the goals of the UNFPA’s Digital Strategy
• Manage end-to-end AI initiatives from ideation and technical design through development, integration, and deployment, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant with governance policies
• Design, architect, and implement agentic AI solutions capable of complex reasoning, dynamic response generation, and multi-step task orchestration
• Establish best practices, standards, and training materials for AI development and ethical usage across UNFPA

B. Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive AI and Data Governance Frameworks, including policies and procedures to ensure ethical, responsible, and compliant usage across the organization
• Act as the primary liaison with information security and legal teams to enforce structured approaches for data privacy and information security throughout all AI and Data platforms and initiatives
• Drive organizational capacity and awareness by developing and delivering targeted training and advocacy initiatives on AI principles, data literacy, and responsible tool usage.

C. Data Architecture

• Own the overall design, development, and maintenance of enterprise data architecture for programme data
• Define and lead the architecture for the full data lifecycle, encompassing platforms for data collection, management, secure storage, advanced analysis, and visualization
• Collaborate directly with Digital CoE stakeholders to translate current and emerging data and analysis requirements into comprehensive, robust architectural solutions
• Establish data modeling standards and principles to optimize data ingestion, quality, security, and performance across all platforms.

D. Product Manager of AI and Data Solutions

• Serve as the dedicated Product Manager for key Digital CoE data solutions, responsible for working with relevant business owners to develop the product's vision, strategy, and overall success
• Act as the primary interface between business stakeholders and IT teams, ensuring development and rollout aligns with business needs
• Manage the development lifecycle, including sprint planning and user acceptance testing, and coordinate with infrastructure and vendor teams to ensure the smooth deployment and operational health of the platform
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the product and regularly monitor user adoption, impact, and overall satisfaction to guide continuous iteration and improvements

E. Carry out any other duties related to the Digital Strategy and Digital CoE as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in Information Technology, Business Administration or related discipline. 

A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience: 

Languages: 

• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Developing ICT standards and applications
• Manage data, information and workflows
• Planning, organizing and multitasking

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.