Head of Technical Assistance & Adoption

MBZUAI is seeking a Head of Technical Assistance (TA) & Adoption for ensuring that the Institute’s research outputs, AI models, and digital public goods are translated into real-world adoption and sustained impact.The role leads the design and delivery of technical assistance to governments, innovators, and implementation partners, supports country-level pilots, and enables the scaling of AI-enabled agricultural advisory systems aligned with national priorities and farming needs.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategy and PlanningDevelop and lead the Institute’s Technical Assistance and Adoption strategy, ensuring alignment with IAAI’s mission, research agenda, and partner needs.Translate research outputs and AI innovations into structured adoption pathways and scalable implementation models.Contribute to institutional planning by identifying readiness gaps, operational risks, and opportunities for scale and sustainability.Country Engagement and Technical AssistanceLead country-level technical assistance engagements, including pilot design, deployment planning, and operational support.Work closely with Ministries of Agriculture, extension systems, and delivery partners to integrate AI-enabled advisory tools into existing institutional workflows and national programs.Support partners in adapting solutions to local contexts, regulatory environments, and farmer needs.Adoption and ScalingDesign and oversee adoption and scale-up frameworks that guide partners from pilot implementation to national or regional deployment.Lead institutional capacity-building efforts, including the development of adoption toolkits, onboarding materials, and implementation of playbooks.Ensure sustained uptake and effective use of IAAI solutions through structured support and continuous engagement.Cross-Functional CoordinationServe as the primary interface between research, safety, monitoring and evaluation, and deployment teams.Ensure that field-level learning informs research priorities, model refinement, and deployment strategies.Align technical outputs with real-world implementation constraints and policy environments.Operational DeliveryOversee the delivery of technical assistance activities, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with agreed objectives.Prepare progress reports, adoption of insights, and risk assessments for Institute leadership and external stakeholders.Monitor implementation performance and recommend corrective actions where required.Academic Qualifications RequiredMaster’s degree in development studies, public policy, engineering, data science, or related field.PhD or equivalent applied experience will be preferred.Professional Experience RequiredMinimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in technical assistance, program implementation, or adoption-focused roles within agriculture, digital development, or innovation ecosystems.Demonstrated experience working with governments and public-sector institutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.Proven track record of translating research outputs or advanced technologies into real-world adoption at scale.Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex, multi-country initiativesPreferredExperience supporting AI-enabled or digital public good deployments in agriculture or related sectors.Exposure to policy engagement, institutional reform, or national advisory system strengthening.Experience working within international research or development organizations#J-18808-Ljbffr