Artificial Intelligence Adviser (Retainer), SSA, Home-based

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Ukraine, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are increasingly shaping public services, economic recovery, governance, education, media, and labour markets. While AI presents significant opportunities for innovation and development, it also risks reinforcing existing gender inequalities, digital exclusion, bias, discrimination, and technology-facilitated violence if women are excluded from its design, governance, and use.

To address these challenges and opportunities, UN Women Ukraine established the UN Women AI School, a learning and innovation platform that builds practical AI literacy and promotes the safe, responsible, inclusive, and gender-responsive use of artificial intelligence. AI School aims to strengthen women's leadership, participation, and skills in the AI ecosystem while supporting public institutions, civil society organizations, academia, media, and development partners to adopt AI in ways that advance gender equality and women's empowerment.

As the initiative expands, UN Women seeks a national consultant to support the development, implementation, continuous improvement, and scaling of the AI School.

Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical and strategic advisory support for the implementation, expansion, and institutionalization of the UN Women AI School in Ukraine as a flagship platform promoting safe, responsible, inclusive, and gender-responsive AI literacy. 

The consultant will serve as a technical expert and learning architect, providing specialized expertise in curriculum development, learning design, facilitator development, technical quality assurance, knowledge generation, and innovation in AI literacy and capacity-building. The consultant will contribute to strengthening women’s leadership, participation, and skills in the AI ecosystem, while advancing the practical application of artificial intelligence for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The consultant will provide technical expertise and strategic recommendations to support the continuous evolution of the AI School. The consultant will not be responsible for programme management, operational coordination, procurement, contract management, supervision of personnel, budget management, donor relations, or partnership management, and will not have authority to make commitments or represent UN Women in any capacity without prior written authorization. 

The consultant will report to the Head of Women’s Economic Empowerment at the UN Women Ukraine Country Office and work in coordination with designated programme personnel, responsible partners, facilitators, and subject matter experts. 

The services foreseen under these Terms of Reference will be rendered on an on-call basis. UN Women does not guarantee that the maximum number of working days will be utilized during the contract period.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

Under the supervision and guidance of UN Women Ukraine, the consultant will provide technical advisory services and contribute to the continuous development and technical excellence of the AI School through the following areas: 

The consultant will provide technical leadership for the design, adaptation, and continuous improvement of AI School curricula, learning pathways, and educational methodologies. Activities may include: 

• Develop, update, and refine AI School curricula, learning pathways, and educational methodologies.
• Design and strengthen specialized learning tracks for different target audiences, including civil society organizations, public institutions, entrepreneurs, academia, and media professionals.
• Develop expert talks, masterclasses, workshops, and thematic learning events that advance practical understanding of safe, responsible, inclusive, and gender-responsive AI.
• Produce learning materials, facilitator guides, participant resources, case studies, practical exercises, and toolkits. 
• Adapt and localize global AI learning methodologies and resources to the Ukrainian context.
• Develop learning objectives, competency frameworks, assessment methodologies, and certification approaches.
• Ensure the integration of gender equality, digital inclusion, digital safety, ethics, and responsible AI principles across learning content and products. 

The consultant will contribute to strengthening the quality, consistency, and sustainability of the AI School through the development of trainers, facilitators, and mentors. Activities may include:

• Design and deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes.
• Mentor and coach facilitators, trainers, mentors, and subject matter experts engaged in the AI School.
• Develop facilitation methodologies, learning standards, training standards, and trainer support resources.
• Provide technical guidance on adult learning methodologies, learner engagement, coaching approaches, and practical application of AI tools.
• Contribute to the establishment of peer-learning and facilitator mechanisms. 

The consultant will ensure the technical quality, relevance, and continuous innovation of AI School content and learning approaches. Activities may include:

• Review curricula, training materials, methodologies, and educational products to ensure their quality.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, tools, and developments in artificial intelligence relevant to AI School programming.
• Recommend innovative learning approaches, delivery models, and educational technologies.
• Identify and integrate practical AI applications, use cases, and demonstrations into learning programmes.
• Advise on approaches to reduce barriers to AI access and participation among women and groups at risk of digital exclusion. 
• Explore emerging approaches to AI-enabled learning, knowledge management, and innovation ecosystems relevant to women’s empowerment. 
• Ensure alignment of learning products with UN Women’s mandate and principles on gender equality and women's empowerment.

The consultant will contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge products and educational resources that support AI literacy and gender-responsive AI adoption. Activities may include: 

• Develop technical briefs, guidance notes, toolkits, educational resources, and learning materials.
• Document lessons learned, good practices, and innovative approaches emerging from AI School implementation.
• Produce knowledge products that promote safe, responsible, inclusive, and gender-responsive AI.
• Develop case studies and practical examples demonstrating AI applications for gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Contribute technical content to advocacy, communications, visibility, and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to the AI School. 
• Support the dissemination and updating of AI School knowledge resources. 

The consultant will provide technical inputs and subject-matter expertise to support the continued evolution and technical excellence of the AI School. Activities may include: 

• Provide recommendations for strengthening, refining, and scaling AI School methodologies and learning approaches. 
• Identify opportunities for new thematic areas, learning products, and target audiences.
• Advise on emerging trends and good international practices related to AI literacy, digital inclusion, responsible AI, and innovation ecosystems.
• Recommend experts, practitioners, institutions, and resource people who may contribute to AI School activities.
• Support the development of collaborations with academia, innovation ecosystems, technology actors, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of communities of practice, peer-learning mechanisms, and alumni engagement approaches. 
• Provide technical advice regarding AI literacy and responsible AI capacity-building initiatives implemented under the AI School framework. 

6. Deliverables

Under the retainer arrangement, the consultant will provide technical services and produce deliverables on an as-needed basis, as requested by UN Women and in line with the scope of work. Deliverables may include, but are not limited to: 

• AI School curricula for specialized cohorts, learning pathways, training modules, and learning materials.
• Facilitator guides, toolkits, competency frameworks, and assessment tools.
• Training of Trainers programmes, expert talks, masterclasses, webinars, and mentoring sessions.
• Technical reviews, quality assurance assessments, and recommendations for programme improvement.
• Knowledge products, guidance notes, case studies, and educational resources.
• Technical inputs to partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and AI School growth initiatives.
• Assignment reports and periodic progress updates documenting activities, outputs delivered, findings, recommendations, and lessons learned. 

Each deliverable shall be agreed in writing before work begins, specifying the required outputs or services, the delivery deadline, and the maximum number of working days. Assignments shall remain within the scope of these Terms of Reference and the overall contract ceiling. 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. The consultant is expected to work remotely, using their own equipment and internet connection, and maintain regular communication with UN Women Ukraine. Should travel be required for the delivery of consultancy services, participation in AI School activities, workshops, meetings, or stakeholder engagements, such travel must be authorized in writing by UN Women in advance and will be arranged and covered by UN Women in accordance with applicable UN Women travel policies and procedures (including economy class travel and daily subsistence allowance at UN rates) and subject to security clearance requirements where applicable. Consultants undertaking travel must complete the mandatory UN security training (BSAFE) before travelling.

Payment Arrangements

Payments will be based on the agreed daily fee and the actual working days authorized and satisfactorily completed under each assignment, subject to written certification and acceptance of the deliverables by the designated UN Women supervisor. Payment requests shall include the agreed deliverables and evidence of services provided. No advance payments will be made. The consultant is not a staff member of UN Women and is not entitled to staff benefits or entitlements; the consultant is responsible for their own taxes, medical and health insurance, and any other insurance coverage required for the duration of the contract.

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated by the designated UN Women supervisor upon completion of the contract, based on the quality, timeliness, and technical soundness of the deliverables, in line with UN Women’s consultant performance evaluation requirements.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• A master's degree or equivalent in business administration, economics, marketing, digital transformation, innovation management, education, public policy, social sciences, information technology, or another relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in place of an advanced university degree.
• Additional professional training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, public policy, executive coaching, or leadership development is an asset.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in digital transformation, technology-enabled innovation, strategic programme development, digital capacity-building, or a related field, including substantial experience in leadership or senior advisory roles, is required.
• Demonstrated experience designing, leading, and scaling digital learning, entrepreneurship, or capacity-building initiatives, including programmes that expand women’s access to skills and economic opportunities, is required.
• Experience providing strategic advice to institutions, businesses, or civil society organizations on the adoption and practical application of digital and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, is required.
• Experience developing or adapting learning content, programming methodologies, practical guidance, or trainer resources for digital skills or entrepreneurship initiatives, including approaches that support replication and scaling, is required. 
• Experience coordinating contributions from multidisciplinary experts and mentoring or coaching professionals, entrepreneurs, trainers, or programme leaders is required.
• Experience collaborating with technology actors, public institutions, civil society organizations, academia, or international organizations to develop digital learning or innovation initiatives is required. 
• Experience contributing to digital transformation, women’s economic empowerment, economic resilience, or inclusive recovery initiatives in the context of Ukraine is required. 
• Experience contributing to programme implementation or providing advisory support to the United Nations or other international development organizations on gender equality, digital inclusion, or responsible technology use is an asset. 
• Completion of a Training of Trainers programme relevant to AI literacy, responsible AI, or gender-responsive digital learning is an asset. 
• Knowledge of UN Women’s thematic areas is an asset. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

• Technical expertise in artificial intelligence and digital innovation
• Expertise in responsible, safe, inclusive and gender-responsive AI
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Adult learning and facilitation methodologies
• Knowledge management and knowledge product development
• Quality assurance and programme improvement
• Partnership development and stakeholder engagement

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.