Project Assistant - IT

Assist in piloting and validating AI-enabled solutions for UNHCR Helpline.

This opening is not available anymore. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Open positions at UNHCR

Tehran (Iran)

Show advice for this position

Open application form

Overview

Assist in piloting and validating AI-enabled solutions for UNHCR Helpline.

You have:

Graduate Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or another data-related engineering field
2 years of experience in AI or related field
Proficiency in English and Farsi (written and spoken)
Strong coding skills for data science work in Python and SQL
Strong interest in artificial intelligence applications within humanitarian contexts
Familiarity with Farsi and/or Dari natural language processing (NLP), speech-to-text, text to speech, or AI chatbots
Excellent attention to detail and ability to validate outputs against established standards
Strong communication skills and ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

AI Application Assistant: Maximize your UN job search.

AI Application Assistant

Details

Deadline for Applications

November 8, 2025Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

BFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)

FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type

CONTR Local Entry and Mid-Level SupportTarget Start Date

2025-10-26Terms of Reference

Requesting office (hiring office): Tehran Title of project: Data Innovation Fund Purpose of project (summary): The proposed innovative idea can address the challenge by finding a solution through the use of an AI supported system to capture, categorize, respond, and route calls received. AI can act as the first line of contact which can answer the large number of generic queries received, routing non-generic calls to human agents. This can free up call centre agents to respond to calls that require UNHCR counselling/protection support enabling use of available human resources more efficiently. This is particularly important in the specific context of the Iran operation – which is the largest refugee hosting country with limited financial and human resources as well as limited physical access to refugee communities. Therefore, this solution will support the operation to respond to refugees and dedicating its limited human resources to provide support to the most vulnerable especially that the office has no other regular way of reaching out to them given access restrictions. Based on the CwC survey conducted by the operation, forcibly displaced persons highlighted their most preferred channel of communication with UNHCR as one-on-one counselling on the phone. Considering the operational capacity, it is important to effectively prioritize the most vulnerable for one-to-one phone counselling and referral for UNHCR protection support while addressing generic queries on rights, obligations and available services potentially through conversational AI. While the challenge is applicable to the entire operation, the pilot project is intended to be tested only in Sub-Office, Shiraz (which hosts some 400,000 forcibly displaced Afghans). Considering the demographic of the population, language needed for the AI engine/bot is Farsi/Afghan Dari.

Contract Type: Individual Contractor, Full-Time, Entry Level Support Monthly Fee: 900USD

Duration: 6 months, preferably Nov2025--April2026

General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context: The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the largest refugee hosting countries in the world, hosting around 2.8 million refugees and persons in need of international protection. UNHCR Iran operates a Helpline to provide information, counselling, and support to forcibly displaced people (FDSPs). With the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing tools, there is an opportunity to enhance CwC activities and providing immediate responses to FDSPs or redirect their queries to staff member. To support this initiative, UNHCR Iran is seeking a GenAI individual contractor to assist in piloting and validating AI-enabled solutions for the Helpline. The GenAI individual contractor will support the Helpline team in testing and applying generative AI solutions, focusing on data mapping, transcription, validation of AI outputs, and quality assurance. The individual contractor will help ensure that new technologies are used responsibly, effectively, and in line with data protection standards.

. Purpose and Scope of Assignment: Terms of Reference for Individual Contracts Concise and detailed description of activities, including measurable outputs and delivery dates, impact indicators • Support on preparing the dataset to train the model by timeline: Nov 2025 to Feb 2026. • Support the testing and validation of AI-generated responses to callers. Timeline: Feb to April 2026. • Review AI model outputs to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency with UNHCR terminology and protection-sensitive language. Timeline: Feb to April 2026. • Identify errors, gaps, or potentially misleading outputs and provide feedback to the implementing company. Timeline: Feb to April 2026. • Assist in preparing training/validation datasets for improving AI model performance. Timeline: Nov 2025 to April 2026. • Document issues, findings, and recommendations to guide further refinement of the AI system.

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience: Degree: Graduate Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or another data-related engineering field

Field of expertise, competencies:

-Strong coding skills for data science work in Python and SQL -Strong interest in artificial intelligence applications within humanitarian contexts. -Familiarity with Farsi and/or Dari natural language processing (NLP), speech-to-text, text to speech, or AI chatbots and conversational systems is an asset. -Excellent attention to detail and ability to validate outputs against established standards. -Strong communication skills and ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. -Proficiency in English and Farsi (written and spoken)

Minimum years of work experience (NOTE: candidates with less years of experience cannot be short-listed or recommended): 2 years of experience in AI or related field.

Language: Required: English, Farsi Desirable: Afghan DariStandard Job Description

Required Languages

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Can you explain how your coding skills have contributed to a successful project in data science?	This question assesses your practical experience and proficiency in coding relevant to the role.	Discuss a specific project where your coding skills significantly impacted the project's success, mentioning languages used and outcomes achieved.
How do you ensure accuracy and consistency when validating AI outputs?	The interviewer wants to understand your attention to detail and validation process.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What experience do you have with AI applications in humanitarian contexts?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your familiarity with Farsi and/or Dari in natural language processing tasks.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What approaches do you take to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How have you handled errors or gaps in AI-generated outputs in your past projects?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a time when you had to prioritize multiple tasks under pressure?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Have you had to prepare datasets for training AI models before? Share your process.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.