Regional Deputy Team Lead, Research on AI Labor Markets in the Global South

Position description

This project, funded by USAID, seeks to critically assess the “data enrichment” labor market in the Global South and its role within global AI value chains. The research will investigate the size, demographics, and working conditions of workers, as well as the socio-economic implications of AI-supporting labor. The findings will inform strategies that promote equitable and just conditions for workers in developing regions. 

Position Description 

We are seeking a qualified Regional Deputy Team Lead to assist the project’s Team Lead in this multidisciplinary research initiative, with a focus on a local/regional context and dynamics related to the AI data enrichment labor market. The ideal candidate will combine expertise in local labor economics, AI value chains, and research
leadership to deliver impactful results. Experience with global value chains, systems thinking, and the tech industry as a whole are desirable. This position will be remote, but candidates must be based either in Southeast Asia, Latin America, or Africa. This is a proposal position contingent upon award. 

Responsibilities 

As the Regional Deputy Team Lead, you will provide: 

1. Project Leadership:

• Assist with the design and execution of the research project, ensuring alignment with the project
  goals and deliverables.
• Assist with the day-to-day operations of the research team, including timelines, budgets, and
  reporting.

2. Research Oversight:

• Assist the Team Lead and LINC in the development of research methodologies, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach combining sociotechnical, ethnographic, and economic and political-economic analyses.
• Oversee data collection processes, analysis, and synthesis related to AI labor markets in your
  respective region.

3. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaise or collaborate with governments, donors, labor unions, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to gather insights and ground-truth initial assumptions, hypotheses and findings.
• Present interim and final research results to stakeholders through reports, presentations, and
  workshops.

4. Team Management:

• Work with a global team of researchers across relevant disciplines, including economics, computer
  science, and social sciences, in order to develop and answer research questions to a novel degree of depth and rigor.
• Collaborate with the Team Lead and LINC Technical Director to ensure timeliness and quality of
  products, and appropriateness of approaches.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the team to ensure high-quality output and
  ensure research integrity, and sophistication.

5. Ethical and Inclusive Research:

• Ensure that the project adheres to ethical research practices, particularly when engaging vulnerable populations.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity within the research framework and among the team.

6. Reporting and Communication:

• Assist in delivering regular progress reports to USAID and other stakeholders.
• Produce high-quality publications and policy briefs to disseminate findings to academic and
  non-academic audiences while contributing to the greater scholarly and industry discussion around AI, labor, exploitation, negative and positive externalities, as well as emerging opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Labor Economics, Political Economy, Sociology, Anthropology,
  Computer Science, Public Policy, or related disciplines). PhD is a bonus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading research projects in international development,
  preferably in topics related to labor markets, AI value chains, or across the Global South.
• Strong background in mixed-methods research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and present findings clearly.
• Understanding of the AI industry, particularly data enrichment processes and value chains.
• Willingness to travel to project regions if required.
• Proficiency in English (required); knowledge of additional languages spoken in the Global South is a plus.
• Experience working with USAID and labor research or tech industry preferred.
• Publications or thought leadership in areas related to AI labor markets, labor rights, or equitable development preferred.

 

Application instructions

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