AI Tool Specialist and Website Developer

Result of ServiceDuration of contract: 1 May 2025 to 30 September 2026 Outputs to be delivered in digital copy. The performance will be evaluated based on • Timely Delivery: All deliverables are submitted within the agreed timeline. • Quality: Comprehensive, accurate, and well-structured documentation. Financial proposal based on the outputs, or a daily rate must be mentioned in application. Applicants must clearly indicate potential subcontracting arrangements for specialized aspects of the AI tool development, including which companies would be engaged. Work LocationBangkok Expected duration17 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesInvestment promotion agencies (IPAs) are adapting to global changes by focusing on sustainable development opportunities. This project ASEAN Green Investment Catalyst (AGIC), funded through the UK ASEAN Green Transition Fund, and will focus on supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (RIPAP), by boosting institutional capacity and project offerings of investment promotion agencies regionally and nationally to attract investment in green transition sectors. This TOR is for a consultant to redesign and redevelop the InvestASEAN website while developing and integrating an AI-powered investor mapping tool into the website's backend. The existing website has an established domain which must be maintained, but requires a complete overhaul of design, functionality, and content. The consultant will ensure the website effectively communicates ASEAN's investment opportunities, policies, and resources while the integrated tool will enable IPAs in ASEAN member States to identify high potential investors with suitable investment projects in green transition sectors aligned with the ASEAN Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan. The tool development requires comprehensive backend, frontend, and CMS integration while incorporating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles throughout. Applicants must submit both a technical proposal and a financial proposal as part of their application. The technical proposal should include methodology, timeline, qualification details, and approach to delivering the InvestASEAN website and AI investor mapping tool. The financial proposal should provide a breakdown of costs for each output and component of work, including any potential subcontracting requirements. Applicants should indicate which companies they would potentially work with for tool development subcontracting, particularly for specialized AI and data systems engineering aspects. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer, Innovation, Enterprise and Investment Section of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, the responsibilities are: • Redesign and redevelopment (where necessary) of the existing InvestASEAN website while maintaining the current domain name. • Updating and restructuring content to ensure relevance, clarity, and alignment with ASEAN’s investment priorities and relevant frameworks such as RIPAP. • Enhancing user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) by implementing design principles and interactive features. The contractor must ensure that the corporate identity of InvestASEAN, if established, is consistently applied across the website, adhering to branding guidelines and visual identity. • Optimizing the website’s performance, including mobile responsiveness, search engine optimization (SEO), and security protocol. • Coordinating with ESCAP and the ASEAN Services and Investment Division (SID) to align the website's content, design and functionality. • Coordinating the ASEAN IT focal point to ensure compliance with the ASEAN Secretariat website standards. • ASEAN IT focal point to ensure compliance with the ASEAN Secretariat website standards. • Conducting virtual training sessions for website management for ESCAP, SID and ASEAN Member States (AMS) stakeholders. • Ensuring thorough testing and quality assurance before launching the final version of the website. • Developing an AI-powered investor mapping tool with the following capabilities: o Matching potential investors with specific green investment projects/profiles based on detailed criteria and preferences o Utilizing advanced algorithms and AI to analyze investor profiles and project characteristics o Identifying and qualifying high-potential investors for projects in sectors aligned with the ASEAN Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan (biofuels, carbon capture and storage, solar PV production, and 1 other green transition sector to be identified in 2025) o Providing detailed investor profiles with potential for contact information for decision-makers o Including features for saving searches, marking favorite investors, and storing project profiles o Enabling potential CRM integration o Incorporating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) dimensions into investor matching criteria o Implementing comprehensive backend, frontend, and Content Management System (CMS) development for the tool o Designing user interfaces and experiences that are accessible and inclusive o Exploring and implementing advanced search technologies including Elasticsearch, vector databases, and other modern data storage and retrieval systems for more accurate and efficient matching o Developing and fully integrating the AI-powered investor mapping tool on the backend of the InvestASEAN website, ensuring seamless functionality, data security, and user experience. The tool should be integrated as a core component of the website architecture rather than as an external application. o Conducting consultation sessions with ASEAN RIPAP, ASEC SID, ESCAP stakeholders during the development phase to ensure the tool meets their requirements and standards. o Ensuring the tool is autonomous and updatable with new investor information. • Conducting a training session for website management and AI tool usage for ESCAP, SID and ASEAN Member States (AMS) stakeholders, including a 2-day in-person training in Bangkok on utilizing the investor mapping tool. • Develop website management guide and user manual for the AI investor mapping tool. • Provide 60 working days of support to the ASEAN Secretariat for the maintenance of the website and tool after successful launch. • Ensuring thorough testing and quality assurance before launching the final version of the website and AI tool. Qualifications/special skills- Advanced university degree in AI or related field including computer science, software engineering, information technology. 10 years so experience in IT development and AI can be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree in the above areas. - Minimum 8 years of experience in web and software development, system integration, cybersecurity, UX/UI design, and project management. Minimum 5 years of experience in AI development, data science, or machine learning, particularly for business applications - Financial proposal based on the outputs, or a daily rate must be mentioned in application. Applicants must clearly indicate potential subcontracting arrangements for specialized aspects of the AI tool development, including which companies would be engaged. - Experience in coordinating web and software development, including wireframing, ensuring usability, and accessibility as well as conducting quality assurance, developing system architecture and developing AI systems. - Experience in project management and technical documentation, including the ability to define scope, manage timelines, and deliver project documentation. LanguagesGood spoken communication skills in English are required. Additional InformationHow to Apply: Applicants are required to complete the screening questions. In addition applicants must include a motivational letter as part of their application. There is a specific section in INSPIRA which allows for this. The letter should detail a technical proposal outlining your approach to achieving the deliverables specified in the job description, with examples of relevant methodologies, tools, or strategies you have successfully employed in similar projects. Additionally, please provide a financial proposal with a proposed consultancy fee per deliverable. Your letter should also highlight at least two relevant projects from your experience, showcasing your qualifications and alignment with the consultancy's objectives. Applications that do not include these elements will not be considered. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.