AI Technical Specialist: Iraq Higher Education AI Workforce Readiness

Terms of Reference: Development Gateway AI Technical Specialist for the Iraq Higher Education AI Workforce Readiness Program

Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) is an international non-profit organization with approximately 80 team members based in more than 15 countries. Over the last 20 years, DG has researched data ecosystems, built digital tools to support them, and advised on data strategy, AI readiness, and digital transformation to strengthen decision-making, transparency, and service delivery.

The Iraq Higher Education AI Workforce Readiness Program is a 12-month program implemented by IREX and DG, in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) and the Kurdistan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (KMoHESR). The program helps Iraqi universities prepare students and graduates for an AI-driven economy by assessing AI readiness across at least 40 universities, convening universities, ministries, and U.S. and Iraqi employers, and building practical capability through a generative AI micro-credential course and AI readiness roadmaps for high-potential universities. 

The AI Technical Specialist will be a full-time, in-person role based in Baghdad, Iraq, for a period of 10 months. Serving as DG’s hands-on AI lead on the program, the role will turn AI readiness findings and employer input into practical training, tools, and recommendations that Iraqi universities can adopt, and will own the program’s technical AI content, above all the generative AI micro-credential course.

The role works alongside DG’s Project Manager who leads program delivery, the readiness research, and senior stakeholder relationships. The AI Technical Specialist provides complementarity through technical depth, shaping the assessment’s AI, data, and infrastructure dimensions, co-designing and rolling out the micro-credential course, and writing the AI use case and policy content of the university roadmaps.

The ideal candidate combines practical experience with AI with experience designing training or digital learning. The post holder must be able to explain AI and its responsible use clearly to students, faculty, ministry officials, and business audiences, in both Arabic and English.

The AI Technical Specialist will report to DG’s program leadership. The role will coordinate regularly with DG technical colleagues based in other countries, as well as work closely with IREX colleagues in Iraq and the United States to ensure DG’s work is well integrated with the wider program.

The role is also expected to work closely with university IT and teaching staff, ministry counterparts, and U.S. technology partners.

●      Adapt the AI readiness assessment tools developed by IREX and DG for Iraq, covering AI governance and risk, data governance, digital infrastructure and interoperability, workforce capability, and priority use cases.

●      Support the AI ecosystem mapping by assessing the technical capabilities and constraints of universities and ministry units, including connectivity, platforms, and data practices.

●      Support data collection and analysis with the Project Manager, and translate technical findings into practical recommendations for universities and the ministries.

●      Co-design the four-week generative AI micro-credential course, adapting IREX and DG materials from Jordan, in Arabic and English, with at least three versions tailored to priority sectors.

●      Cover AI fundamentals in commercial settings, prompt design and workflow integration, and responsible use, including ethics, bias mitigation, and safeguarding, using employer input to build realistic use cases.

●      Pilot and roll out the course on participating universities’ learning management systems, supporting university IT and teaching staff, and tracking enrollment, completion, and pre- and post-course results.

●      Deliver orientation sessions and training for faculty, students, and administrators, and preview the course at the program’s AI workforce convening.

●      Identify openly available U.S. AI learning resources and toolkits, such as IBM SkillsBuild, and help universities adopt them, working with U.S. technology partners.

●      Write the AI use case, skills, and responsible AI policy content of the AI readiness roadmaps for high-potential universities.

●      Track course analytics and learning outcomes for program monitoring, and document tools and lessons that MoHESR and universities can reuse after the program ends.

●      Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, information systems, engineering, or a related field.

●      5+ years of professional experience in AI, machine learning, data, or digital technology roles, including hands-on work with generative AI tools.

●      Experience designing and delivering training, courses, or curricula on technology topics, preferably in higher education or workforce development.

●      Working knowledge of responsible AI, including ethics, bias, data privacy, and AI governance.

●      Experience with learning management systems or online learning platforms, such as Moodle or Blackboard.

●      Professional fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

●      Existing work authorization in Iraq.

●      Master’s degree in a technology, data, or education-related field.

●      Experience working with Iraqi universities, ministries, or technology firms.

●      Experience developing micro-credentials, e-learning content, or instructional materials.

●      Familiarity with AI readiness assessments or digital maturity frameworks.

●      Experience with U.S. technology company skills programs, such as IBM, Microsoft, Google, or Cisco training resources.

●      Experience on U.S. Government-funded or other donor-funded programs, including consortium-based programs.

●      Experience facilitating workshops for government, academic, and private sector audiences.

The expected annual compensation range is USD 42,000 - 45,000, depending on relevant experience. The position is for the duration of the project, which is 10 months.

DG will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interviews are expected to begin in mid-November.