AI Technical Specialist – Iraq Higher Education AI Workforce Readiness

About the role

Development Gateway, an IREX venture, is hiring a full-time, in-person AI Technical Specialist for a 10-month, Baghdad-based role on the Iraq Higher Education AI Workforce Readiness Program. The specialist acts as the hands-on AI lead, turning AI readiness findings and employer input into practical training, tools and recommendations for Iraqi universities, and owns the technical AI content, especially the generative AI micro-credential course. The role reports to program leadership and works with IREX colleagues in Iraq and the United States.

Key responsibilities

• Adapt the AI readiness assessment tools for Iraq, covering AI governance and risk, data governance, digital infrastructure, workforce capability and priority use cases, and support ecosystem mapping of universities and ministry units.
• Co-design the four-week generative AI micro-credential course in Arabic and English, with at least three versions for priority sectors, covering AI fundamentals, prompt design, workflow integration and responsible use; pilot and roll it out on university learning management systems and deliver training for faculty, students and administrators.
• Write the AI use case, skills and responsible AI policy content of the readiness roadmaps for high-potential universities, and identify open-source U.S. AI learning resources and toolkits to help universities adopt them.
• Track course analytics and learning outcomes, and document tools and lessons that MoHESR and universities can reuse after the program.

Required profile

• 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.
• Professional fluency in English and Arabic, written and spoken, able to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Existing work authorization in Iraq.

Required skills

• Learning management systems or online learning platforms such as Moodle or Blackboard.
• Preferred: master's degree, experience with Iraqi universities or ministries, micro-credential development, AI readiness assessments, U.S. technology company skills programs and donor-funded programs.

The expected annual compensation is USD 42,000 - 45,000 for the 10-month project. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with interviews expected to begin in mid-November.