How to apply for Vice President, The AI Access Initiative
Evidence Action
About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global nonprofit that scales evidence-based programs to reduce poverty, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and measurable impact. They bridge rigorous research with practical implementation, reaching millions in Africa and Asia. Working here means contributing to solutions that are proven to work and have the potential for massive scale.
About the role
As VP of the AI Access Initiative, you will lead the strategy and execution of AI-enabled programs in agriculture or health, targeting millions in low-income countries. This role is pivotal in bridging cutting-edge AI technology with on-the-ground development challenges, ensuring that innovations translate into tangible improvements. Your work will directly shape how AI can be harnessed for global good.
A typical day
A typical day might involve a morning call with your team in East Africa to review pilot progress, followed by a meeting with an AI lab partner to discuss technical feasibility. You might spend the afternoon drafting a funding proposal or meeting with a government official to discuss scaling, and end the day by analyzing data from a recent pilot iteration.
Who Evidence Action is looking for
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Tips for this application
- Highlight specific examples of scaling programs to national or multi-country level, with metrics on reach and impact.
- Demonstrate your AI fluency by discussing concrete AI applications in low-resource settings (e.g., using computer vision for crop disease detection or NLP for health hotlines).
- Showcase your fundraising success with dollar amounts and donor relationships, especially in the AI or development space.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to mention Evidence Action's programs and your alignment with their evidence-based approach.
- Since the role is remote, emphasize your experience leading distributed teams and your ability to work across time zones.
What to cover in your cover letter
["Your passion for applying AI to solve global development challenges, with specific examples of initiatives you've led.", 'Your experience in both technical and programmatic realms, showing you can speak the language of engineers and field staff.', 'Your ability to design rigorous pilots with rapid iteration, citing a specific project where you did this successfully.', 'Your track record of building and mentoring teams, and your approach to fostering innovation and collaboration.']
Draft a cover letterResearch before applying
- Familiarize yourself with Evidence Action's existing programs, such as Deworm the World and Safe Water, to understand their operational model.
- Read their blog and annual reports to grasp their evidence-based approach and how they measure success.
- Look into their recent initiatives involving technology or AI, if any, to see where the AI Access Initiative might fit.
- Research key players in AI for development (e.g., Google.org, USAID's AI for Global Goals) to understand the landscape.
Likely interview topics
Based on the job description, expect questions about:
- How would you approach designing a pilot for an AI-enabled agricultural advisory service in a country like Kenya? What metrics would you use?
- Describe a time you had to balance scientific rigor with the need for speed in implementation. How did you handle it?
- How do you stay updated on AI trends and assess their applicability for low-resource settings? Give an example.
- How would you build partnerships with AI labs and governments to scale an initiative? What challenges do you anticipate?
- How would you raise $5M+ for this initiative? Outline your donor engagement strategy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't be vague about your AI experience; provide concrete examples of AI tools you've used or overseen.
- Avoid focusing solely on your technical expertise without showing programmatic leadership and management experience.
- Don't underestimate the importance of fundraising; make sure to highlight your ability to secure significant funding.
Deadline
No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.