AI Solution Architect

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION)

PROJECT PREPARATION UNDER THE GRANT FACILITY FOR PROJECT PREPARATION (GRANT NO. E6900-001)— AI FOR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN RWANDA (P517443)

Assignment Title: AI Solution Architect, Project Implementation Unit

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): 

The Government of Rwanda has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of project preparation for the AI for Economic Transformation in Rwanda operation, through the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP). The Government has appointed the Rwanda AI Agency Ltd (RAIA) to be the implementing entity for the GFPP, and the institutional host of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

About RAIA

The Rwanda AI Agency (RAIA) aims to advance the responsible and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies to support Rwanda's national development priorities.

About the Consultancy

The GFPP intends to apply part of the funds for consulting services (the Services) for an individual consultant to serve as AI Solution Architect, Project Implementation Unit. The consultant will define the technical architecture underpinning Rwanda's AI investments and provide independent technical authority across AI applications, data platforms, compute, cloud, integration and infrastructure. Early responsibilities include onboarding the GPU compute platform at the co-location facility and leading its acceptance testing; later responsibilities include the reference architecture, production readiness standards, technical review of consultant deliverables and technical inputs to the follow-on operation. The consultant will also build the Agency's in-house capability in data, compute and applied AI engineering, covering core functions of the Agency's planned Data and Infrastructure Lead and AI Science and Engineering Lead roles, so that the Agency is equipped to lead the larger follow-on operation. The assignment is full time, with an estimated level of effort of 13 person-months, from 1 December 2026 to 31 December 2027, with an expected start date of 1 December 2026. The duty station is Kigali, Rwanda.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment are found in Annex I of this Request for Expressions of Interest.

RAIA now invites eligible individuals (Consultants) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The minimum requirements are:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field.

• At least 10 years of experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, cloud, distributed systems or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering large-scale production systems, as distinct from general ICT coordination.

• Strong practical knowledge of AI and machine learning architectures, cloud infrastructure, data systems, APIs and cybersecurity.

• Ability to translate complex architecture into investment and implementation decisions.

• Strong communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Proficiency in English.

Candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be compared against the following criteria:

Criterion

Points

• Education and relevant certifications -10 points
• General experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, cloud or distributed systems -20 points
• Demonstrated delivery of large-scale production systems, including AI/ML and GPU or high-performance compute -40 points
• Technical review, due diligence and vendor-neutral specification experience -20 points
• Team leadership, capacity building, communication, and experience in emerging market or public sector contexts -10 points

Eligibility is open to individuals from all countries, subject to the eligibility provisions of paragraphs 3.20–3.22 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.13 and 3.15–3.17 of the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025), setting forth the World Bank's provisions on conflict of interest and unfair competitive advantage.

The following conflict of interest provisions apply specifically to this assignment: the Consultant may contribute to technical specifications and to the evaluation of bids and proposals for procurements under the project. Candidates must disclose any current or recent affiliation with equipment suppliers, cloud providers or consulting firms likely to bid for such contracts. The selected Consultant will sign a conflict of interest declaration and may not work for bidders or proposers on contracts financed by the project.

This assignment is for an individual consultant; expressions of interest from firms will not be considered.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations (paragraphs 7.34 to 7.37). Candidates will be assessed against the criteria above on the basis of the documents submitted. The three highest-scoring candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and achieve the minimum score of 70 points will be shortlisted for interview. If fewer than three candidates meet these requirements, all qualifying candidates may be shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview by video conference.

The contract will be time-based, with a gross monthly fee inclusive of all taxes, negotiated on the basis of the selected Consultant's documented remuneration history. A Consultant based outside Rwanda at the time of selection will be reimbursed, against receipts, for eligible relocation costs of up to US$5,000, including economy-class travel to Kigali at the start of the assignment and return travel on satisfactory completion of the full assignment.

The contract will use the World Bank's standard form of contract for Individual Consultants (time-based), adapted to this assignment. The initial contract ends no later than 31 December 2027, the closing date of the grant. Subject to satisfactory performance, continued need for the services, availability of financing and the World Bank's agreement where required, the contract may be extended, or a new contract awarded, to cover work on the follow-on operation (see Annex I, Section 8).

Further information can be obtained at the address below (Block 5, Norrsken House, 1 KN 78 St, Kigali – Rwanda) or via email at [email protected] during office hours, 09:00 to 17:00 hours, Kigali time, Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest, comprising a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and professional certificates, and contact details for three professional referees, must be submitted in written form through the online application link [insert application link] by 27 October 2026 at 17:00 hours, Kigali time. The application should be titled: REOI — AI Solution Architect, Project Implementation Unit — [insert STEP reference].

Rwanda AI Agency Ltd (RAIA)

Attn: Project Implementation Unit — Procurement

Block 5, Norrsken House, 1 KN 78 St

Kigali, Rwanda

E-mail: [email protected]

Procurement-Related Complaints

A candidate that considers it has been harmed by an alleged breach of obligation in this selection process may submit a procurement-related complaint in writing to [email protected], within the periods and following the procedures set out in Annex III (Procurement-Related Complaints) of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025).

Annex I: Terms of Reference

Package 8 — AI Solution Architect, Project Implementation Unit

Procurement Plan item

Project Preparation and Institutional Capacity, Package 8

Budget

US$140,000 ceiling — about US$10,770 per month over 13 months, gross and inclusive of all taxes. If relocation is required, the fee is about US$10,385 per month, with relocation costs of up to US$5,000 reimbursed within the ceiling.

Selection method

Open competitive selection of Individual Consultants; post review

Indicative timeline

Publication 13 Oct 2026; applications close 27 Oct 2026; shortlisting by 3 Nov 2026; interviews by 10 Nov 2026; notification of selection by 16 Nov 2026; contract signature 24 Nov 2026; start 1 Dec 2026

Duration

13 months: 1 December 2026 to 31 December 2027, full time

1. Background

The Government of Rwanda has received a Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) from the World Bank toward the preparation of the follow-on operation AI for Economic Transformation in Rwanda, which covers AI-ready data infrastructure, AI solutions in priority sectors, AI-ready digital skills, and project preparation and institutional capacity. The Government has appointed the Rwanda AI Agency Ltd (RAIA) as the implementing agency.

2. Objective

A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is being established to manage the preparation programme and prepare the follow-on operation for appraisal. The objective of the assignment is to define the technical architecture underpinning Rwanda's AI investments and to provide independent technical authority across AI applications, data platforms, compute, cloud, integration and infrastructure, so that systems financed by the programme are scalable, interoperable, secure and suitable for production use. The assignment will also build the Agency's in-house technical capability, beyond delivery of the GFPP activities, so that the Agency can lead the data, infrastructure and applied AI engineering work of the follow-on operation.

3. Scope of work

Compute platform and hosting

• Support onboarding with the co-location provider procured under Package 2, including rack layout, power and cooling, security perimeter and access arrangements.

• Prepare the acceptance test plan for the GPU platform procured under Package 3 before delivery, and lead installation oversight and acceptance testing.

• Establish access management, metering and workload scheduling so the platform can be shared across pilots.

• Define the workload classification rule that determines which workloads may use external cloud or model services and which must run on the sovereign platform.

Architecture and standards

• Develop the target technical reference architecture for the AI programme.

• Define data, compute, integration, security and model lifecycle (MLOps and LLMOps) standards, consistent with Rwanda's personal data protection law.

• Establish an architecture review and production readiness process.

Technical assurance

• Review the technical quality of consultant deliverables for Packages 1, 4 and 5.

• Assess build, buy and adapt options, total cost of ownership, portability and vendor lock-in for major decisions.

• Prepare technical design and cost inputs for the follow-on operation, and transfer knowledge to Government technical staff.

Data and compute foundations

• Work with ministries and agencies to identify gaps in data availability, quality, access and interoperability that affect priority AI applications, and provide AI-specific technical advice to the lead agencies on the National Data Hub, data exchange platforms and data governance standards.

• Forecast compute demand from current and planned AI applications, and advise on the mix of access options (the sovereign GPU platform, cloud and other modalities), including fair allocation rules and the monitoring of capacity, utilisation and cost.

• Define technical standards for data formats, APIs, security and interoperability, coordinating with RISA on data and with NCSA on infrastructure security.

Applied AI engineering and solution assurance

• For each priority AI application, assess the technical options and recommend whether to procure an existing solution, adapt an existing model, build a new solution or work with an external technical partner, and provide technical oversight of implementation where Agency support is required.

• Lead or oversee the testing and adaptation of AI models to Rwandan languages, data and operating conditions, and set requirements for testing, monitoring and maintenance, including the Government's responsible AI requirements on performance, safety, privacy, bias and human oversight.

• Before an AI application is scaled, confirm that the responsible institution has a designated owner and arrangements for its operation, maintenance, technical support and monitoring.

Institutional capability building

• Design the Agency's technical function: the skills, roles and sequencing needed for its data, infrastructure and AI engineering teams, as an input to the staffing of the follow-on operation.

• Mentor Agency and Government technical staff, and work with academic institutions such as CMU-Africa, AIMS and the University of Rwanda to build a pipeline of technical talent.

• Engage with the AI research community and technology partners to draw on complementary capabilities where needed.

4. Deliverables and reporting

Deliverable

Due

D1 Inception report and technical assessment of AI compute and data needs

Month 1 — Dec 2026

D2 Hosting onboarding note and acceptance test plan for the GPU platform

Month 3 — Feb 2027, and before delivery of the Package 3 equipment

D3 Target technical reference architecture

Month 4 — Mar 2027

D4 Architecture review and production readiness process; workload classification rule

Month 5 — Apr 2027

D5 Acceptance report for the GPU compute platform

At operational acceptance of the Package 3 platform — indicatively Q2 2027

D6 Build, adapt or procure assessments and total cost of ownership inputs for priority AI applications, including testing and operational handover requirements

Month 7 — Jun 2027

D7 Agency technical capability plan: skills, roles and sequencing for the data, infrastructure and AI engineering functions

Month 8 — Jul 2027

D8 Technical review notes on consultant deliverables

As submitted, throughout

D9 Technical design and cost inputs for the follow-on operation, including the compute demand forecast and data readiness assessment

Month 11 — Oct 2027

D10 Handover and knowledge transfer report

Month 13 — Dec 2027

All deliverables are subject to written acceptance by RAIA. Due dates are indicative and assume a start on 1 December 2026. They will be confirmed with RAIA within the first month of the assignment against the sequencing of the other GFPP assignments (Packages 1 to 6 and 13) and the World Bank's preparation timetable for the follow-on operation, and may be adjusted by written agreement. An adjustment does not extend the contract beyond 31 December 2027 or increase the contract ceiling.

5. Duration, duty station and reporting line

Item

Detail

Duration

13 months: 1 December 2026 to 31 December 2027, full time

Duty station

Kigali, Rwanda, with travel within Rwanda as required

Reporting line

Managing Director, RAIA, with day-to-day coordination through the PIU Project Director on project deliverables.

Facilities

Office space and IT equipment, and access to relevant information, systems and counterpart staff.

6. Qualifications and experience

Essential — candidates not meeting these will not be considered

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field.

• At least 10 years of experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, cloud, distributed systems or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering large-scale production systems, as distinct from general ICT coordination.

• Strong practical knowledge of AI and machine learning architectures, cloud infrastructure, data systems, APIs and cybersecurity.

• Ability to translate complex architecture into investment and implementation decisions.

• Strong communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Proficiency in English.

Desirable — scored in the evaluation

• AI and machine learning systems deployed in production; GPU or high-performance compute infrastructure; MLOps or LLMOps.

• Cloud architecture across major providers, including hybrid or sovereign cloud environments.

• Enterprise data platforms, registries or data exchanges; digital public infrastructure; API ecosystems.

• Technical due diligence or architecture review experience.

• Leadership of data science, machine learning engineering or infrastructure teams, and experience building institutional technical capacity.

• Adapting AI models to low-resource languages or local data; applying responsible AI practices in production.

• Experience in emerging markets or resource-constrained environments; Rwandan or East African technology ecosystem experience (desirable, not required).

Core competencies

Deep technical authority across AI, data and infrastructure; independence and willingness to challenge weak technical proposals; ability to move between national architecture and detailed technical choices; pragmatism in balancing ideal design against budget and delivery constraints; commitment to building the capability of others.

7. Evaluation criteria

Qualified candidates will be compared against the criteria below.

Criterion

Points

• Education and relevant certifications -10 points
• General experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, cloud or distributed systems -20 points
• Demonstrated delivery of large-scale production systems, including AI/ML and GPU or high-performance compute -40 points
• Technical review, due diligence and vendor-neutral specification experience -20 points
• Team leadership, capacity building, communication, and experience in emerging market or public sector contexts -10 points

Minimum score for interview: 70 points.

The three highest-scoring candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and achieve the minimum score of 70 points will be shortlisted for interview. If fewer than three candidates meet these requirements, all qualifying candidates may be shortlisted.

8. Contract terms

Item

Provision

Selection method

Open competitive selection of Individual Consultants under paragraphs 7.34 to 7.37 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. The position is advertised through a request for expressions of interest that includes these Terms of Reference. The individual selected will be the most experienced and best qualified among the candidates, assessed against the criteria in these Terms of Reference, followed by interview of shortlisted candidates.

Bank review

Post review, as agreed with the Bank.

Eligibility

Open to eligible individuals of all nationalities.

Fee

Time-based contract with a monthly fee. The fee is gross and inclusive of all taxes; tax will be withheld as required by Rwandan law. The fee will be negotiated with the selected candidate on the basis of documented remuneration history, within the budget ceiling.

Travel and relocation

A Consultant based outside Rwanda at the time of selection will be reimbursed, against receipts, for eligible relocation costs of up to US$5,000, including economy-class travel to Kigali at the start of the assignment and return travel on satisfactory completion of the full assignment.

Award publication

A Contract Award Notice will be published within 10 business days of notifying the selected consultant (paragraph 5.93).

End date

The initial contract ends no later than 31 December 2027, the closing date of the grant. Services after that date cannot be financed by the grant.

Extension

Subject to satisfactory performance, continued need for the services, availability of financing and the World Bank's agreement where required, the contract may be extended, or a new contract awarded, to cover work on the follow-on operation AI for Economic Transformation in Rwanda. As the Consultant will have been selected competitively, such continuation may be made by direct selection under paragraph 7.39(a) of the Procurement Regulations, in line with the procurement arrangements agreed for the follow-on operation.

Form of contract

The World Bank's standard form of contract for Individual Consultants (time-based) will be used, adapted to this assignment.

Performance

Assessed after three months and at mid-contract; continuation depends on satisfactory performance.

Integrity and confidentiality

The World Bank's Anti-Corruption Guidelines apply. Project information and personal data must be handled in line with Rwanda's data protection law.

Contracting entity

Rwanda AI Agency Ltd (RAIA), Kigali, Rwanda.