National Consultant for AI for Climate-Smart Smallholder Agriculture Capacity Building

About the role

The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (UNTB) is running a project to help agri-entrepreneurs and innovators in three sub-Saharan African LDCs adopt and adapt AI-powered, climate-smart agricultural solutions, aiming for one pilot-ready MVP per country. This consultancy covers the design and delivery of the learning and capacity-building components of Phase 1 (Online Innovation Lab) and Phase 2 (one-week in-person residency), with a duration of about 7 months. The consultant works under the overall supervision of UNTB, with content, methods and selection processes subject to UNTB review.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare an inception report based on a desk review of AI solutions, climate-smart agriculture practices and agri-entrepreneurship support approaches, and confirm the programme design, curriculum, selection approach, workplan and timeline.
• Develop and localize an online curriculum and learning materials for the Online Innovation Lab, including modules, toolkits and case studies on AI/ML fundamentals, climate-smart agriculture and entrepreneurship.
• Support participant mobilization, including outreach materials, application assistance, eligibility and selection criteria, and evaluate applicants with UNTB.
• Deliver the two-month online training, monitor participation and completion, and guide participants in developing solution proposals.
• Assess solution proposals and participant performance, and recommend the top 20 participants and up to six solution concepts for the residency.
• Facilitate peer-learning groups, track attendance and adapt content to participant feedback.
• Design the residency agenda and curriculum, advise on resource persons, field visits, partnership matching and pre-work, and support teams in finalizing implementation plans, field-testing protocols and commercialization materials.
• Recommend three pilot-ready solutions, one per country, to advance to in-country piloting.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Agriculture, Computer or Data Science, Engineering, Environmental or Climate Sciences, Business Administration, Innovation Management, Development Studies or a related field; a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
• At least seven years of professional experience in digital agriculture, AI and data applications, climate adaptation, innovation and entrepreneurship support, capacity development or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering capacity-building, acceleration or incubation programmes for entrepreneurs, innovators or researchers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of AI/ML, data and geospatial applications in agriculture or climate adaptation, including in low-resource, low-connectivity settings.
• Analytical, coordination and report-writing skills shown in previous assignments, reports or publications.
• Experience mentoring early-stage ventures is desirable.

Required skills

• Technical understanding of AI, data and geospatial applications in agriculture and climate adaptation.
• Experience designing and facilitating learning programmes for international audiences.
• Fluency in English.