The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a leading global research for development organization dedicated to sustainable water and land resources management. Our mission is to improve the productivity, profitability, and resilience of water and land resources in support of food security, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. As a consultant at IWMI, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and work with an international and diverse team of experts in the field of water management.

This is an internationally/globally hired consultancy; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply. The work arrangement for this consultancy is remote.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index (MDII) is envisioned as an AI-powered platform-based tool, currently in development under the CGIAR’s Digital Innovation Initiative, to assess and ensure the inclusiveness of digital innovations, with a special focus on reaching historically marginalized groups. This collaborative effort, led by the International Water Management Institute, alongside the International Rice Research Institute, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, and the International Livestock Research Institute, strives to embed inclusiveness as a core standard in digital innovation.

This multi-perspective approach is supported by advanced algorithms and language processing technologies for precision and empathy in assessments. The human-centric evaluation path is particularly innovative, as it involves not just experts assessing, but also the direct participation of marginalized users whom the digital innovation intends to serve. This approach ensures that the tool’s evaluation is deeply grounded in the realities and needs of its end users, enhancing the reliability and relevance of its assessments. By aiming to incorporate advanced language models and voice data analysis, the participation of actual marginalized users in the evaluation process is eased. This not only diminishes evaluation barriers but also ensures authenticity and relevance to real-world scenarios.

The consultant will design, test, and implement AI-driven components within the Multidimension Digital Inclusion Index (MDII) to support the assessment and promotion of digital inclusiveness. The Data Scientist will ensure that the AI algorithms are robust, accurate, and effectively integrated into the platform to provide real-time, data-driven insights for various user personas.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:

The Multi-dimension Digital Inclusion Index (MDII) is part of an organizational effort to increase inclusion by reducing friction between technical solutions and the adoption of such technologies by marginalized users, ensuring that such groups are prioritized. Consequently, the goal is to develop the MDII, which aims to be a comprehensive framework designed to foster digital inclusivity within the domains of food, land, and water systems.

The creation and implementation of MDII are based on the concept that such an index should contemplate strategic assessment dimensions, such as “Accessibility”, “Beneficial Impact”, “Data Governance”, and others, that allow both a quantitative and qualitative evaluation, in order to guarantee that digital solutions that are developed are inclusive both in their usage, as well on their development.

The MDII project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for digital inclusivity within the domains of food, land, and water systems. This framework, once established, can significantly enhance Digital Innovations efforts in several ways:

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: The MDII will provide with a robust tool for assessing and promoting digital inclusivity within its interventions. Data from the MDII can inform decision-making processes, helping identify areas where digital technologies can be leveraged to enhance extension services, support SME development, and improve governance frameworks.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The MDII’s quantitative and qualitative evaluation aspects focus on impact assessment. It can help track the effectiveness of its programs in fostering digital inclusivity and identify areas for improvement.
• Targeted Interventions: By utilizing the MDII can tailor its interventions to address specific digital inclusion challenges faced by smallholder farmers and marginalized communities, thereby increasing the overall impact of its initiatives.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The successful candidate will be instrumental in creating a suite of intelligent algorithms and tools that will not only assess current states of digital inclusion but also pave the way for significant improvements through actionable insights and user-focused feedback mechanisms.

Develop the Weight Component Algorithm:

• Design and implement an algorithm capable of prioritizing and weighting various components of the MDII, ensuring each domain is accurately represented in the final scoring.
• Analyze descriptive data and responses from the index to score each domain, ultimately automating the calculation of the final score for the index.
• Validate and refine the weighting algorithm to reflect the significance of each domain in relation to digital inclusiveness.

Create the AI Personas Algorithm:

• Develop an algorithm that utilizes descriptive data to identify and predict marginalized users who are at risk of digital exclusion.
• For each identified marginalized user, calculate the risk of exclusion and generate tailored recommendations for improvement, aiming to mitigate identified risks and enhance digital inclusion.
• Ensure the AI personas algorithm is sensitive to the nuances of different marginalized groups and can adapt its recommendations accordingly.

Automate Reporting:

• Construct a system for automatically generating a PDF document that certifies an entity’s score on the MDII.
• Create an automated reporting mechanism that produces a quick evaluation PDF document, detailing risks of exclusion and providing immediate recommendations for users of the index.
• Implement quality assurance measures to ensure the accuracy and professionalism of the automatically generated reports.

Al algorithm Development for Marginalized Users Feedback:

• Innovate a generative AI multilingual algorithm that recognizes the spoken language of marginalized users through voice recognition technology.
• Develop a algorithm that asks pertinent questions to marginalized users, with their responses directly contributing to the scoring within the index.
• Create a mechanism to collect and score feedback from expert reviewers, integrating their insights into the index to refine its accuracy and relevance.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

This role demands a deep understanding of AI-driven algorithms, data analysis, and digital inclusiveness, along with the ability to innovate and develop sensitive algorithms catering to marginalized user groups. The candidate should possess a blend of technical expertise, adaptability, and a commitment to ensuring inclusivity in technology-driven solutions.

Essential,

• Advanced Degree: A Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• AI and Machine Learning Expertise: Proven experience in designing, testing, and implementing AI-driven components, especially algorithms related to prioritization, weighting, predictive modeling, large language model and generative AI.
• Data Analysis Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in analyzing descriptive data, identifying patterns, and deriving actionable insights from complex datasets.
• Algorithm Development: Solid experience in developing algorithms, particularly those that automate scoring and assessment processes.

Desirable,

• Voice Recognition Technology: Familiarity with voice recognition technology and its application in AI algorithms.
• Expertise in Digital Inclusiveness: Understanding of digital inclusiveness, digital divide issues, and experience in addressing marginalized user needs through technological solutions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Algorithm Design and Implementation: Capability to design and implement robust algorithms for prioritization, weighting, predictive modeling, and feedback integration.
• Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret descriptive data and translate it into meaningful, actionable insights for the assessment of digital inclusiveness.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI and data science (Python required) for algorithm development and automation.
• Collaboration and Integration: Capacity to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to integrate expert insights into the index and algorithms.

Desirable,

• Adaptability and Innovation: Ability to adapt algorithms to cater to diverse marginalized groups and innovate in generative AI to enhance user feedback mechanisms.
• Quality Assurance: Skills to implement quality assurance measures for accuracy, professionalism, and reliability of automated reports and algorithms.

Benefits

This is an internationally/globally hired consultancy; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive daily rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of six (06) months.

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting expression of interest through 24:00 (IST) on January 19, 2024. To submit an expression of interest, please submit the following as separate documents in PDF format,

• Short cover letter outlining key qualifications, experience, and achievements in the sectors and action areas referenced above. Also this should include contact details of two professional references, your daily rate in USD & your avaiblity until July 2024.
• Current CV or resume.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.