Rwanda AI Agency Ltd Hiring for project director

WE ARE HIRING

Institution: Rwanda AI Agency Ltd (RAIA)

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Contract Type: Full-Time Individual Consultancy Duration: 13 Months (1 December 2026 – 31 December 2027)

1. About Rwanda AI Agency (RAIA)

Rwanda AI Agency (RAIA) advances responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to support Rwanda’s national development priorities. RAIA implements the World Bank-financed project preparation programme, AI for Economic Transformation in Rwanda.

2. The Opportunity

RAIA seeks an experienced AI Solution Architect to lead technical architecture for AI investments and ensure secure, scalable, interoperable and production-ready AI systems while strengthening internal capabilities in data, computing infrastructure and applied AI engineering.

3. Scope of the Role – Key Responsibilities

· AI Architecture and Standards: Develop reference architectures and standards for AI, data, cloud and integration.

· GPU Infrastructure: Oversee platform onboarding, installation, acceptance testing and operational readiness.

· Technical Assurance: Review technical designs, consultant deliverables, specifications and investment options.

· Applied AI Engineering: Guide solution development, model adaptation, testing, deployment and responsible AI.

· Data and Security: Set standards for APIs, interoperability, cybersecurity, MLOps and LLMOps.

· Capacity Building: Mentor technical teams and strengthen RAIA’s AI engineering capabilities.

4. Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Requirements

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field.

· At least 10 years’ experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, cloud infrastructure, distributed systems or related fields.

· Proven delivery of large-scale production systems.

· Practical expertise in AI/ML architectures, cloud, data systems, APIs and cybersecurity.

· Ability to translate technical architecture into investment and implementation decisions.

· Strong stakeholder communication and proficiency in English.

Desirable Experience

· GPU/high-performance computing, MLOps/LLMOps, hybrid or sovereign cloud.

· Technical due diligence, architecture reviews and vendor-neutral specifications.

· Leading technical teams, capacity building, responsible AI and model adaptation to local data.

· Emerging markets, public sector or East African technology ecosystem experience.

5. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Evaluation Criterion Points

Education and relevant certifications 10

Enterprise architecture, data platforms,

cloud or distributed systems experience 20

Large-scale production systems,

including AI/ML and GPU/high-

performance compute 40

Technical review, due diligence and

vendor-neutral specifications 20

Leadership, capacity building,

communication and emerging-

market/public-sector experience 10

TOTAL 100

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100. The three highest-scoring eligible candidates reaching this threshold will be shortlisted for video interviews; if fewer than three qualify, all qualifying candidates may be shortlisted.

6. Deliverables and Reporting Schedule

Deliverable Due

D1. Inception report and AI

compute/data needs assessment Dec 2026 (Month 1)

D2. GPU hosting onboarding note and

acceptance test plan Feb 2027 (Month 3); before equipment delivery

D3. Target technical reference

architecture Mar 2027 (Month 4)

D4. Architecture review, production

readiness and workload classification Apr 2027 (Month 5)

D5. GPU platform acceptance report At operational acceptance; indicatively Q2 2027

D6. Build/adapt/procure and total cost assessments, testing and handover requirements Jun 2027 (Month 7)

D7. Technical capability plan: skills,

roles and sequencing Jul 2027 (Month 8)

D8. Technical review notes on

consultant deliverables Throughout, as submitted

D9. Follow-on technical design/cost

inputs, compute forecast and data

readiness Oct 2027 (Month 11)

D10. Handover and knowledge transfer

report Dec 2027 (Month 13)

All deliverables require written acceptance by RAIA. Indicative dates may be adjusted by written agreement without extending the contract beyond 31 December 2027 or increasing the budget ceiling.

7. Consultancy Engagement and Remuneration

· Time-based, full-time individual consultancy; duty station Kigali, with travel within Rwanda as required.

· Salary will be negotiated based on documented remuneration history.

· Where relocation is required; eligible relocation expenses reimbursable up to USD 5,000 within the overall ceiling.

· Reports to RAIA’s Managing Director, with day-to-day coordination through the PIU Project Director.

· Potential extension depends on satisfactory performance, project needs, financing and applicable approvals.

· The World Bank’s standard form of contract for Individual Consultants (time-based) will be used, adapted to this assignment.

· Applicable taxes will be withheld under Rwandan law.

8. How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, detailed CV, copies of academic degrees and professional certificates, and contact details for three professional referees. Application title: REOI — AI Solution Architect, Project Implementation Unit . Deadline: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 5:00 PM (Kigali Time). Online application: AI Solution Architect

9. Detailed Terms of Reference (ToR)

Review the complete ToR for full scope, deliverables, evaluation criteria and contract conditions: All related Inquiries should be submitted to : procurement@raia.rw

NB:

1. Open to eligible individual consultants of all nationalities; firms are not eligible

2. Selection follows the World Bank Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants procedure