Manager, AI Adoption and Innovation

Evidence Action scales proven interventions that improve the lives of millions. We identify innovative financing mechanisms and build best-practice operational models to scale effect. The Manager, AI Adoption and Innovation will lead the Africa region's AI adoption roadmap, translating global strategy into contextually relevant plans. This role involves identifying high-impact AI use cases, managing pilot projects, and driving behavioral change through comprehensive capability building. The manager will bridge technical and non-technical teams, ensuring AI initiatives are governed responsibly while monitoring and reporting on impact metrics against strategic objectives.\n\n### Key Responsibilities\n\nAI Strategy and Leadership (20%)\n* Develop and own the Africa region AI adoption roadmap, translating global AI strategy into contextually relevant plans.\n* Pressure-test AI/ML ideas and proposals in collaboration with technical partners, balancing technical feasibility with organizational ambition.\n* Provide strategic counsel to regional and country leadership on AI risks, opportunities, and ROI.\n* Contribute to global AI strategy and ensure initiatives follow ethical frameworks and data privacy regulations.\n\nUse Case Identification and Prototype Development (30%)\n* Drive discovery and prioritization of AI use cases across programs, MLE, finance, operations, and P&C functions.\n* Coordinate prototyping efforts and manage the full pilot lifecycle from ideation to scaling decisions.\n* Create feedback loops to accelerate organizational learning from pilot successes and failures.\n* Maintain awareness of the AI tool landscape and translate emerging developments for non-technical audiences.\n\nEnd-to-End Delivery and Partner Management (20%)\n* Oversee the transition of validated prototypes into scalable solutions.\n* Manage external technical partners and vendors, including selection, contracting, and performance oversight.\n\nChange Management and Capability Building (20%)\n* Design and execute an AI adoption strategy to drive sustained behavior change.\n* Steward a network of AI champions and facilitate learning events like workshops and peer forums.\n* Embed AI learning into onboarding and develop practical materials like prompt libraries.\n* Build internal capability to reduce dependency on external support over time.\n\nMonitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (10%)\n* Establish dashboards tracking license utilization, user engagement, and impact metrics.\n* Conduct regular surveys to assess adoption barriers and provide monthly progress reports to leadership.\n\n### Requirements\n\nEssential Qualifications\n* Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field.\n* At least 5 years of professional experience in technology, consulting, product development, or international development.\n* Demonstrated experience driving adoption of new tools in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.\n* Proven ability to lead projects end-to-end and manage multiple workstreams.\n* Working knowledge of AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Notebook LLM.\n* Strong change management, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.\n* Legal authorization to work in Kenya or Nigeria without sponsorship.\n\nDesirable Qualifications\n* Knowledge of automation tools, computer vision, NLP, or predictive analytics.\n* Experience managing internal technical teams and gathering scoping requirements.\n* Experience working in the international development or non-profit sector.\n* Familiarity with data privacy regulations in African contexts.\n\n### How to Apply\nInterested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Evidence Action application portal at https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1231597. Shortlisting is done on a rolling basis, and the role will close by June 2, 2026.