Senior Advisor - Digital ID Credentials & AI

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

Do you have experience working at the intersection of technology and public service innovation and on programmes that drive systemic and transformative change in the Digital Government and Digital Identity space? Are you excited by opportunities to work directly with senior political leaders to create impact at scale? If yes, then we are looking for you!

TBI is seeking a Senior Advisor, Digital wallets and AI to provide expert advice to senior political leaders on cutting edge innovation in the Digital ID space. This includes a focus on digital wallets, verifiable credentials, and the pairing of digital ID with AI to drive better public services. This role is part of a team of central expert advisors working on government innovation, digital and technology transformation in Global Client Solutions (GCS), Government Advisory division.

GCS is a hands-on centre of excellence designed to bring the best of the Institute and distribute it at scale to enhance the quality and impact of our advice to global senior political leaders. We provide valuable counsel, technical input, quality assurance, thought development, and surge capacity to support embedded country teams. We lead the development and evolution of scalable solutions to ensure we can boldly advise senior political leaders on their biggest challenges and priorities.

TBI is looking to hire an exceptional Senior Advisor, with experience and expertise across technology, government advisory and, specifically, digital identity implementations at a national level. More particularly, we are looking for candidates who understand and recognise the potential of two particularly transformational developments that Governments are navigating:

• Digital ID wallets, enabling interactions and transactions that leverage digital Verifiable Credentials, with the potential to revolutionise the delivery of public (and private) services;
• The power of AI-powered solutions to drive more informed policy making when designing and offering personalised services to citizens (e.g. in Education, Healthcare, Employment, Social Benefits etc), by leveraging data from trustworthy sources while respecting people’s privacy and ensuring the security of their data.

This role requires an experienced senior candidate with expertise in advising senior political leaders, managing complexity in ambiguity, and demonstrating strong familiarity with how Digital ID ecosystems are built and scaled effectively and securely. Our fast-growing Digital ID Advisory portfolio includes supporting senior political leaders and their teams on foundational and functional ID implementations, advising on best practices, effective strategies and policies, and fit-for-purpose partnerships while helping them reimagine ways of governing in the era of AI.

The senior advisor is expected to lead expert provision into specific client engagements as part of the Global Client Solutions Digital ID team and offer expert advice on several matters in relation to Digital Transformation developments at local, regional and global levels. They will also be expected to support TBI teams and our government clients articulate their vision, design roadmaps, assess strategies for integration of siloed registries and ultimately enhance the robustness, inclusiveness and utility of countries’ digital ID ecosystems – including via leveraging AI innovations and exploring the necessary governance structures.

The role is be based in London, Brussels, UAE, or Singapore (subject to having the relevant right to work) but applicants working remotely will also be considered. Significant global travel expected (20-40%).

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead expert provision into client advisory projects relating to strengthening Digital ID ecosystems and showcasing the value of integrating them with AI applications and systems;
• Assess current identification landscape in a country: Conducting SWOT analyses of existing foundational and functional ID registries, their current uptake and demand/supply barriers to overcome; current players in the sector and their tech/innovation strategies
• Identify opportunities for optimising national ID systems through alignment and harmonisation of various registries, while leveraging AI-powered technologies where relevant and impactful
• Evaluate skills and human capital requirements by the government and relevant partners to meet the agreed roadmap objectives and timelines
• Define the potential impact and success indicators (human development, economic, catalytic/transformational effects on nation’s development path etc.)
• Manage key stakeholders and promote cross-government coordination and alignment around a common vision and mission which has the respective country’s Digital ID ecosystem at its core
• Reporting into the Senior Advisor for Digital ID (Global Lead), closely work with the other Advisors to ensure alignment on advisory approaches and facilitate the sharing of insights and cross subject advice (E.g. with digital infrastructure, health, etc).
• In coordination with the TBI Partnerships team, develop and enhance our relationships with leading innovators, tech companies, implementation partners, and thought leaders in the technology space, deepening our understanding of emerging innovation and improving our support for governments.
• Follow global developments in Digital ID policy and Governance frameworks as well as standards

Person Specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate a good understanding of the ICT ecosystem and tech innovations, particularly AI, and the digital ID space, as well as general Governments’ machinery. Prior work with Government on relevant projects is highly desirable. Additional skills and desired competencies include:

• Experience in business operations, Digital ID, multiple registry & tech systems integration, AI, offering consulting or advisory services to senior leaders.
• Experience in Advisory roles across multiple countries preferred, including experience in Digital ID / Transformation implementations at a national or regional level
• Experience in identifying priority Digital Transformation interventions to help meet Presidential goals, and ability to explain how technology can support broader Presidential or Prime Ministerial priorities
• Demonstrable experience and ability to navigate (and deliver impact) in complex and uncertain political environments
• Experience carrying out information systems assessments and providing technical recommendations, including the possibility of integrating with AI systems
• Familiarity with the political and economic ecosystem of the ICT sector and experience working with key (public and/or private sector) stakeholders in the tech and digital space in government; prior experience working on programmes/projects is highly desirable
• Experience in assessing data governance approaches and proposing meaningful recommendations
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management practices
• Strong executive communication (written and verbal) skills with an ability to translate technical information for a senior political audience
• Fluency in English (oral and written); capability in other languages is an asset.

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right, if required, to close this role earlier.

Closing Date:

2024-11-23