Consultant/ Sr. Consultant, AI and DPI Services

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics is an established best-in-class global solutions group offering integrated social science research, data, and technology services for social impact to provide user-centric, context-specific advisory and implementation support to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals across Asia, Africa, USA and UK bring extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Athena’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Services Practice (ADS) operates at the intersection of the increasing investment in, prevalence, and use of digital public infrastructure (DPI) and emerging technologies (e.g., Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)) in service of design, governance, and delivery of social impact and public good services and solutions. 

ADS’ work spans frontier and formative research services to donors, governments, and implementing organizations, and systematic implementation services to support governments and organizations in selecting, right sizing, and operationalizing DPI and/or AI for social impact.

• Digital ecosystem assessments in agriculture (Mozambique and Mali), data governance, and global data-sharing (Landscape Assessment of Global Data-Sharing Platforms).

• Toolkits such as USAID’s Inclusive Digital Development Toolkit and the World Bank’s Engendering ICT Toolkit.

• Research on AI in food systems and Farmer-Centric Models of Data Governance.

• Implementation support for governments (e.g., Technical Assistance to Andhra Pradesh: AI in Agriculture Advisory).

• Technical leadership within global platforms such as the AgX AI Community of Practice.

We are seeking a motivated Consultant or Senior Consultant to support portfolio coordination, project management, technical research, and business development initiatives for Athena Infonomics’ AI + DPI Services Practice. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in project and proposal coordination, strategic thinking, and technical research and writing, applied experience in digital development and/or AI for social good, and a demonstrated ability to proactively drive insights and outcomes and seamlessly move between analytical work and hands-on implementation.

• Support end-to-end project execution, including planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder communication.

• Track deliverables and timelines across multiple workstreams.

• Facilitate coordination between internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders.

• Conduct desk and field research on trends, technologies, and opportunities in the agriculture sector.

• Synthesize data into actionable insights and recommendations.

• Prepare briefs, presentations, and knowledge products for leadership and external partners.

• Conduct market research on key sector and funder priorities, trends, and stakeholders 

• Assist in pipeline development, partner outreach, and proposal preparation.

• Develop pitch decks, concept notes, and proposal submissions.

• Support relationship management with funders, clients, and collaborators.

• Apply working knowledge of DPI (e.g., digital identity, payments, data exchange) and/or AI as vehicles for social impact and economic development in both generalized / cross-cutting ways and as explored through sectors of strategic importance to Athena such as agriculture, health, and education / skilling.

• Track innovations and policy developments relevant to digital transformation in agriculture.

• Explore and assess use cases of AI and digital infrastructure for improving farmer productivity, market access, and resilience.

• Master’s degree in public policy, development studies, economics, technology, or related fields.

• 4+ years of experience (Consultant) or 7+ years of experience (Sr. Consultant) in project management, consulting, research, business development, or similar roles.

• Experience working on DPI and/or AI for public good or social impact strongly preferred, particularly with application in agriculture, health, education and skilling, financial inclusion and payments, and/or MSME sectors

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize research, frame problems, and produce clear and actionable analysis.

• Excellent written and verbal communication across formats—reports, presentations, stakeholder engagement.

• Strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and comfort managing competing priorities and tight timelines.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating across geographies and cultures (US, UK, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia).

• Familiarity with MS Office/Google Workspace; exposure to data or digital tools is an advantage.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working with peers and external partners.

• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

• Opportunity to work at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and development impact.

• Exposure to projects leveraging DPI and AI to transform systems and improve livelihoods.

• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members' professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues’ personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.