AI and Digital Capability Programme Lead

Job Title: AI and Digital Capability Programme Lead

Reports to: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Terms: Fixed Term 2 years contract, Full time, Dublin based, 50% hybrid

Salary: GB8: €80,184 - €89,094

Requirements: Occasional travel requirements to other support offices and country programmes visit

About Concern: Established in 1968, Concern is a non profit, non governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries.

Concern's vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal - ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose

Concern has launched its Strategic Plan, which recognises AI and digital skills as critical enablers of the organisation's future objectives. While Concern has already developed a range of digital initiatives, we recognise that further capability is needed as we start this strategic initiative. We are therefore creating a new role to help close this skills gap and advance Concern's mission through stronger digital enablement. Reporting directly to the CIO this 2 year contract will be expected to deliver on an ambitious program and deliver measurable improvements across a number of key metrics.

The AI and Digital Capability Programme Lead is responsible for building an organisation wide capability in digital tools and artificial intelligence, ensuring staff can use technology safely, ethically, and effectively to deliver our mission with more agility and efficiency. While balancing competing priorities the role will lead and drive the organisation's approach to closing critical digital skills gaps across headquarters and country programmes, embed responsible AI practices into business as usual practices, and support inclusive, context appropriate digital transformation. Operating with a high level of autonomy, the role holder will be expected to work independently, identify priorities, shape delivery plans, and make informed recommendations where no established organisational precedent or standard approach yet exists.

Responsibilities 1. AI Development

• Drive the responsible adoption of AI across the organisation by identifying innovation opportunities, coordinating AI pilots and proof of concepts.
• Evaluate the outcome of those pilots and proofs of concepts to determine the most productive options.
• Drive integration across systems and functions by aligning AI and digital skills with core business systems, seeking opportunities to embed AI enabled tools in business processes, data led decision making and strengthening operational efficiency.
• Independently assess potential AI use cases, determine their suitability for pilot or proof of concept activity, and make recommendations on whether they should be scaled, adapted, or discontinued.

2. Digital Skills Development

• Design and deliver tiered digital skills learning pathways tailored to different roles and contexts.
• Develop practical, scenario based learning materials focused on operational use cases, e.g. Using MS Teams for Transport teams in a country programme area.
• Define and drive approaches to localisation and accessibility of learning materials for country offices.
• Assist in the development of a digital learning strategy and ensure its alignment with the new learning strategy.

3. Responsible and Ethical Use of AI

• Promote responsible AI use in line with Concern policies on data protection, cybersecurity and safeguarding.
• Support understanding of risks including bias, misinformation, and data leakage.
• Work with internal stakeholders such as the senior management team, country directors and regional directors to reinforce, apply and interpret governance frameworks across complex contexts.
• Lead upon the development and continuous improvement of AI governance as organisational needs and external best practices evolve.
• Apply independent judgement in interpreting AI governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and safeguarding requirements across varied operational contexts, escalating only where significant organisational risk or policy ambiguity arises.

4. Advisory, Coordination, and Change Support

• Act as a focal point for AI and digital skills initiatives and provide expert advice across HO and country programmes.
• Contribute to organisational planning and decision making by providing strategic insight on AI and digital skills.
• Lead and coordinate change management activities that support the successful adoption of new policies, tools and digital practices.
• Build a global network to help establish a community of practice.
• Provide independent advice and challenge to teams on the appropriate use of AI and digital tools, balancing innovation, operational need, organisational policy, and risk.

5. Strategic Partnerships and Digital Governance

• Represent and enhance Concern's relationships with external organisations to seek the latest on best practices in the field with a view to developing additional collaborations.
• Act as the organisation's internal authority on appropriate and approved use of AI and digital tools.
• Represent Concern independently in external digital and AI forums, identifying relevant developments, partnerships, and good practice that should inform the organisation's approach.

6. Monitoring and Improvement

• Track training uptake, learning outcomes, and feedback.
• Provide updates to senior management on capability, maturity and risks.
• Analyse adoption, learning, and risk data independently, using evidence to identify barriers, recommend corrective action, and inform senior management decision making.

Role Holder Requirements Essential Requirements

• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in artificial intelligence, digital learning, information systems, or organisational development.
• Experience in digital skills development or organisational learning.
• Strong applied understanding of AI and digital tools.
• Experience delivering training to diverse, multicultural audiences.
• Understanding of ethical, data protection, and do no harm principles.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision, exercise sound judgement, and make practical decisions in complex or evolving areas.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in humanitarian, development, or NGO environments.
• Familiarity with low resource and low connectivity contexts.
• Experience supporting organisational change or technology adoption.
• Knowledge of responsible AI or technology governance frameworks.

Equal Opportunity

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality.