About the Role
Evidence Action scales proven interventions that improve the lives of millions. We only implement cost-effective programs whose efficacy is backed by substantial rigorous evidence. We identify innovative, appropriate financing mechanisms and build best-practice operational models.
The Manager, AI Adoption and Innovation, is a pivotal role responsible for leading the strategic integration of artificial intelligence across the Africa region. This role involves developing regional AI adoption roadmaps, identifying high-impact use cases, managing pilot projects, and building organizational capacity to ensure AI tools effectively enhance program delivery and operations. The manager will serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams, facilitating change management and ensuring that AI initiatives are governed responsibly and ethically.
Key Responsibilities
AI Strategy and Leadership (20%)
- Develop and own the Africa region AI adoption roadmap, translating global AI strategy into contextually relevant plans across diverse country environments.
- In collaboration with technical partners, pressure-test AI/ML ideas and proposals, balancing technical feasibility with organizational ambition and operational constraints.
- Provide strategic counsel to regional and country leadership on AI adoption progress, risks, opportunities, and return on investment.
- Contribute to global AI strategy discussions and serve as the Africa voice in cross-regional AI communities of practice.
- Ensure AI initiatives are governed responsibly, with attention to data privacy, ethical AI frameworks, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Use Case Identification and Prototype Development (30%)
- Drive discovery and prioritization of high-impact AI use cases that address real workflow challenges across programs, MLE, finance, operations, and P&C functions.
- Coordinate the design of AI solutions in partnership with departmental teams/functional experts, defining clear scope, success metrics, and realistic timelines.
- Manage the full pilot lifecycle from ideation and testing through evaluation and scaling decisions.
- Facilitate cross-team learning from pilot successes and failures, creating feedback loops that accelerate organizational learning.
- Maintain awareness of the AI tool landscape and translate emerging developments into accessible, actionable insights.
End-to-End Delivery and Partner Management (20%)
- Oversee the delivery of AI projects end-to-end, coordinating the transition of validated prototypes into scalable solutions.
- Manage external technical partners and vendors, including selection, contracting, performance oversight, and risk mitigation.
Change Management and Capability Building (20%)
- Design and execute a region-wide AI adoption strategy that drives sustained behavior change.
- Build and steward a network of AI champions across countries and functions to amplify adoption efforts.
- Design and facilitate engaging learning events, including workshops, show-and-tell sessions, and peer learning forums.
- Embed AI learning into staff onboarding and ongoing professional development.
- Develop communication campaigns that demonstrate AI value propositions and address adoption barriers.
- Collaborate with IT teams on license optimization and build internal capability to scale AI products post-launch.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (10%)
- Establish and maintain dashboards tracking license utilization, user engagement, pilot outcomes, and impact metrics.
- Conduct regular pulse checks and surveys to assess user satisfaction and workflow impact.
- Provide monthly progress reports to regional leadership, highlighting trends and surfaced risks.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of professional experience in technology, consulting, product development, or international development.
- Demonstrated experience driving adoption of new tools or systems in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proven ability to lead projects end-to-end, managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Strong influence skills and ability to build collaborative relationships without formal authority.
- Working knowledge of AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Notebook LLM).
- Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills.
- Legal authorization to work in Kenya or Nigeria without sponsorship.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of multiple AI domains (automation, computer vision, NLP, geospatial analysis).
- Experience managing internal technical teams and gathering scoping requirements.
- Background in change management or organizational transformation.
- Experience working in international development in multi-country African contexts.
Additional Information
- Travel: Expected travel within the Africa region up to 15%.
- Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract, renewable subject to performance and organizational need.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Evidence Action career portal on Workable. Visit https://apply.workable.com/evidence-action/ to submit your application. Shortlisting will be done on a rolling basis. The role will close by June 2, 2026.
