Data Economy Advisor

at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Location Nairobi, Kenya
Date Posted November 14, 2021
Category NGO
Job Type Full-time
Currency KES

Description

A. Background
GIZ – German International Cooperation Agency – supports the German Government in achieving its goals in international cooperation for sustainable development.

About the Digital Transformation Centre Kenya
The Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Kenya is a bilateral project of German Development Cooperation established to support the country’s digital transition towards a sustainable and human-centred digital economy and society. The DTC capitalizes on the existing digital and innovation ecosystem and seeks to strengthen it, while also looking at the wider societal impact of digital technologies. Through establishing of strategic partnerships across a wide spectrum of public, private and civil society actors, the DTC’s engagement can be structured into four action areas:
1) Tech Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Digital skills
2) Data Protection
3) Data Economy, Open Data and Artificial Intelligence
4) Digital Economy Ideation Lab

About the Data Economy, Open Data and AI Action Area
Data can unlock the doors of business prosperity, solve problems and enable organizations to grow. But data as such is not easy to get hold of. Unsurprisingly there is a growing thrust on creating access to data. One of the ways to do so is through data sharing agreements. As data held by businesses can help other businesses optimize their products and policymakers improve public services, the DTC supports business-to-business (B2) and business-to-government (B2G) data sharing and the development of data governance frameworks. Hereby, the DTC’s primary focus lies on the agricultural and food tech sector.
Beyond that, the DTC seeks to increase the understanding and awareness about the importance of data, especially open data. Whereas data is usually a costly affair, open data can be used freely by anyone. Whether you are a company, government official or NGO, open data has immense potential that you can leverage for your specific needs. Hence, the DTC supports trainings on the opportunities and challenges of open data, particularly for governmental actors. Within the realm of enabling a data-driven economy, the DTC also strengthens local know-how on AI and supports digital learning and training for the development and use of AI. Hereby the DTC collaborates closely with the GIZ Global Project FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All.

B. Responsibilities
The Advisor is responsible for:
• Supporting the implementation of the DTC’s activities related to data governance, open data and AI
• Develop and foster partnerships with government, e.g. the Agricultural Transformation Office, private sector actors like KALRO and academia in Kenya around AI and open data
• Supporting the implementation of trainings on data sharing, open data and AI for young people and governmental stakeholders among others
• Support the development of data governance frameworks incl. data sharing agreements with a focus on the agricultural sector
• Support the identification and piloting of data-driven use cases in the agricultural sector
• Effectively managing a network of local and regional project partners as well as steering of consultants and other service providers
• Support planning, procurement processes, financial management and monitoring of the project activities
• Contribute actively to reports (regular and ad-hoc), PR materials, and other related tasks to reporting and communication for the DTC
• Coordinate closely with the FAIR Forward project to ensure alignment

C. Tasks
The Advisor will perform the following tasks under disciplinary supervision of the Head of the Digital Transformation Centre.
Technical advice for implementation of project activities
· Supporting the implementation of the DTC’s activities related data governance, open data and AI. This includes, e.g.:
• Support the implementation of training activities around data sharing, open data and AI
• Support policy processes regarding open data and AI
• Advise on data sharing agreement (B2B; B2G) related questions such as data privacy, data rights, data security and data access
• Draft terms of reference for data governance frameworks and data-driven use cases in the agricultural sector
• Review, comment and accompany the set-up of financial agreements
• Support activities by implementing partners, follow-up and ensure that quality results are delivered in a timely manner
Project management
• Actively support project planning for data governance, open data and AI related activities within the DTC
• Prepare and manage consultancy assignments and financing agreements, and monitor service providers in completing their tasks
• Support in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project activities, and reporting
• Manage meetings and events with partners, service providers and other relevant stakeholders (preparation, implementation, follow-up)
• Support knowledge management and public relation of the programme, including documentation of lessons learnt, best practices, case studies and success stories
• Support the preparation of communication materials and progress updates to BMZ and other stakeholders
Partnerships and network management
• Initiate and foster partnerships with government, private sector, academia, and civil society actors in Kenya for the project
• Manage a network of project partners consisting of Kenyan stakeholders
• Support in keeping positive and productive relations with implementing partners, and other stakeholders
• Ensure alignment with FAIR Forward activities
Other duties/additional tasks
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned

A. Required qualifications, competences and experience
The Advisor should have the following qualifications, competences and experiences:

Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in computer science, computer engineering, data science, or related field
Professional experience
• At least 3-5 years of work experience in the area of data governance, open data and AI
• Substantial experience in project management (conceptualisation, planning, coordination, steering, monitoring)
• Very good understanding of data governance models, open data, AI and their application for sustainable development, a focus on the agricultural sector is an asset
• Proven skills and experience in networking and fostering partnerships. An existing network in the area of open data and AI in Kenya, and internationally is a clear advantage
• Experience in working with and/or advising government institutions on digital topics; a focus on data governance, open data and/or AI is desirable
• Knowledge of the Kenyan legal and policy frameworks on privacy, data governance and intellectual property rights is considered a strong advantage
• Work experience in development cooperation is desired

Other knowledge, additional competences
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in both written and spoken English at high level. Knowledge of Kiswahili is an advantage
• Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic team under minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to cooperate effectively with colleagues and partners
• Self-starter, who works independently and has a flexible attitude but is a strong team player simultaneously
• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, email, internet), Excel and other computer applications (e.g. MS Office);

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

 

 

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