The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Rwanda for more than 40 years.Rwanda is a country with a turbulent and, at times, tragic history, and the impact of the 1994 genocide is still felt today. Nevertheless, Rwanda has achieved progress at a number of levels since 2000. Stability, security, steady economic growth and low corruption are some of the key successes. The country is also regarded as a pioneer in Africa in environmental protection, digitalisation and gender equality.Despite these encouraging developments, however, Rwanda is still a very poor country that continues to rely on international support. This support is in virtually all sectors and is coordinated by the Rwandan Government. As a reliable partner in an efficient task-sharing system, GIZ works in three priority areas on behalf of the German Government:

Website: https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/332.html

VacancyAnnouncement

Responsible AI Advisor

for

The project Digital4Rwanda and MINICT

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digital Transformation and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.

The Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) has prioritised positioning Rwanda as a nation where innovative solutions to great socio-economic challenges are translated to rapid economic growth, employment, efficiency and increased productivity and competitiveness. To achieve this goal, MINICT facilitates the creation, access and use of knowledge, technologies and innovations that spur socio-economic development.

Against this background, MINICT has developed a National Artificial Intelligence Policy which will help the country to harness the potential of AI while at the same time mitigating its risks. Rwanda is among the first African countries that developed such a policy, and hence officially embraced the potential of the technology.

To lead implementation, MINICT will establish and house a new coordinating office, referred to as the Responsible AI Office (RAI Office). Under the leadership of the Minister, the RAI Office will be responsible for driving the Implementation Plan, including its deployment, measurement and evaluation, and iteration and advancement. As such, the RAI Office will be tasked to support capacity building in Rwanda for AI development and adoption. It follows international examples of government offices (such as the Singapore National AI Office (NAIO) and the United Kingdom’s Office for AI.) that have been given similar tasks to implement national AI strategies through a centralized and coordinated manner.

GIZ Rwanda and MINICT are searching a candidate for the position of Responsible AI Advisor. The Responsible AI Officer will work within MINICT and will be fully integrated into the MINICT team and will be working under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director General Innovation and Emerging Technologies at MINICT.

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

FixedTerm: 31.12.2026

The Responsible AI Advisor performs the following responsibilities and tasks:

Responsibilities

  • Supporting the establishment of the Responsible AI Office at MINICT, including organizational set up and implementation
  • Raising awareness and conducting dialogues on Rwanda’s National AI Policy and its implementation at the national and international level
  • Overseeing initial pilot projects as part of the implementation of the National AI Policy, such as the development of AI flagship use cases

Tasks

  • Lead the process to design and set up the Responsible AI Office, including coordinating concept development, resource planning, and setting up action plan;
  • Be the driver behind planning and implementation of the Responsible AI Office activities; e.g. bringing on board partners, mobilization, coordination, monitoring;
  • Coordinate awareness raising and outreach campaigns around the AI Policy to ensure that key stakeholders in Rwanda and the region/globally are aware of the goals and objectives of the AI Policy and can actively contribute towards its implementation. Specifically, this includes:
  • Developing communication materials
  • Organising multi-stakeholder workshops and roundtables
  • Implementing outreach campaigns
  • Represent MINICT at different national and international events on AI policy;
  • Coordinate the execution of the implementation plan of the National AI Policy, i.e. conduct dialogue and provide expert advisory and guidance to actors responsible for implementation of AI Policy (i.e. line ministries, academia, private sector)
  • Create and manage stakeholder networks for the implementation of responsible AI in Rwanda;
  • Coordinate and oversee studies and benchmarking exercises as specified in the implementation plan of the National AI Policy
  • Coordinate monitoring and evaluation process for AI policy implementation;
  • Provide other support and assistance as required;

Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience

Qualifications and professional experience

  • Master’s degree in public policy, Public Administration, Management, Information Technology or other relevant areas;
  • At least 3 years of professional experience in a comparable position;
  • Strong understanding of AI and emerging technology policies, including its opportunities and challenges in the context of sustainable development;
  • Demonstrated experience in project management;
  • Experience working with public sector and government officials;
  • Demonstrated experience in workshop and event planning and facilitation;
  • Experience in setting up multi-stakeholder dialogue processes and networks;
  • Experience in organizational development is considered a plus.

Other knowledge and additional competences

  • Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment;
  • Proactivity in the development and implementation of ideas and proposals;
  • Excellent business writing and presentation skills in English;
  • Team player with an ability to develop and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders;
  • Proficient in oral and written English; knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda would be an asset.

Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references), via our electronic job portal by using the button “Apply”; until 12th November 2024 at 4:00 PM. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB.

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.

This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application.

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 59, Kigali,

Rwanda

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