AI Software Engineer Lead at World Health Organization

World Health Organization; Fatih; On-site; TRY 3,738,000 - 4,569,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Health Organization is seeking a Senior AI/ML Lead to spearhead the hands-on implementation and advancement of AI/ML initiatives within WHO/Europe. You will develop internal and external applications using cutting-edge software practices and advise technical divisions on complex challenges.

You will lead project prioritization, data integration, near real-time processing, dashboards, and scalable AI deployments, while mentoring a team of AI and software professionals and ensuring

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in software engineering, computer science, or related field.
• Experience designing AI/ML solutions and deploying AI models in production.
• Experience with cloud-native apps, data pipelines, and large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML initiative priorities and project plans.
• Design and implement AI prototypes, pilots, and scalable solutions.
• Oversee end-to-end AI project lifecycle from data to deployment.
• Mentor AI and software professionals and ensure best practices.

Skills

AI/ML techniques

Python/Java/JS

Cloud platforms

DevOps/CI-CD

Data engineering

Team leadership

SQL/NoSQL databases

Education

Advanced university degree in software engineering or computer science

Tools

Azure AI Search

Docker

Kubernetes

HTML5/CSS/JavaScript

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well‑being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region's structures, reinforce a client‑oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well‑being.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To spearhead the hands‑on implementation and advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) initiatives and solutions, develop internal and external facing applications using cutting‑edge software engineering practices, and support and advise technical divisions on navigating complex technical challenges, promoting innovative solutions across digital initiatives in the WHO/Europe.

• Lead the definition and implementation of the AI/ML initiatives in WHO/Europe, by setting project priorities and defining work plans.
• Set technical direction and drive implementation for data integration initiatives and particularly support the automation of the AI‑related activities, including near real‑time data ingestion, processing, dashboards, and visualizations.
• Design and implement AI prototypes and pilots, iterating towards scalable solutions.
• Oversee the full development cycle of AI projects from data acquisition, modeling, and testing to deployment and monitoring.
• Guide the development of internal and external applications using modern frameworks and technologies.
• Ensure best practices in software engineering are upheld.
• Develop and manage cloud‑based solutions to support AI/ML workloads.
• Optimize cloud resources for performance and cost‑effectiveness.
• Lead and mentor a team of AI and software professionals.
• Collaborate with other teams and divisions to integrate AI solutions into various operational areas.
• Manage large datasets for training and testing AI models.
• Ensure the ongoing performance and accuracy of deployed models, making iterative improvements.
• Establish quality assurance protocols for AI systems.
• Monitor and maintain the performance of AI applications post‑deployment.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in AI/ML and software engineering.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the team.
• Advocate for and ensure the ethical application of AI, including considerations of data privacy, model transparency, and fairness.
• Communicate effectively with technical and non‑technical stakeholders to gather requirements, report progress, and explain complex AI concepts in an accessible manner.
• Manage the team's resources, including budgets for projects and tools, to ensure efficient and effective delivery of AI solutions.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with AI projects, including technical feasibility, data security, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Liaise with IMT in HQ to ensure compliance with WHO policies and standards.
• Promote high staff performance through effective teamwork, efficiency, innovation, and critical thinking.
• Other duties, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education Essential: Advanced university degree in software engineering, computer science or other relevant discipline.
• Desirable: Certifications in DevOps, React, Python, or any other relevant areas.
• Experience Essential: At least seven years of relevant, progressive experience, including responsibilities in the following fields:

• (a) software engineering and architecture, more specifically developing Cloud‑native applications facing external and internal users;
• (b) deploying AI models into the Cloud and integrating generative AI solutions;
• (c) developing automated, analytical pipelines and the continued institutionalization of AI/ML;
• (d) implementing and managing a large portfolio of complex applications and services with front‑end stack (HTML5, CSS / SASS, JavaScript) and databases (SQL, noSQL).

SKILLS

• Theoretical understanding of algorithms, data structures and computational complexity and how to design systems to apply them to system design and development.
• Proficient understanding and practical experience in AI/ML techniques, frameworks, and methodologies, including deploying and maintaining AI/ML models in production environments, monitoring their performance, and iteratively improving them.
• Strong proficiency in modern programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript/Node, and expertise with AI‑related libraries and APIs.
• Proven experience designing and implementing AI solutions in Azure, including Azure AI Search, indexers, indexes, and skillsets.
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining custom skillsets tailored for enhancing search functionalities, synergistically integrating with other solutions such as generative AI.
• Solid understanding of DevOps principles and tools for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), as well as containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience in data engineering and the ability to work with large data sets, including data cleaning, data analysis, and feature engineering.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the capability to translate complex requirements into actionable design and code.
• Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication.
• Producing results.
• Moving forward in a changing environment.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Use of Language Skills Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

REMUNERATION

• Annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable).
• Variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3369 per month for the duty station indicated above.
• Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening. In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual. The Director‑General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply. WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio‑economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed‑term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1‑D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work‑life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years.

For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country‑specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination‑related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [e-mail]. WHO has a smoke‑free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device.