Chief AI Officer

This role is focused on leading PDA’s AI governance capability and strategy to ensure the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence within public services. The successful candidate will bridge policy, technical assurance, and practical use cases to ensure AI initiatives deliver clear benefits while maintaining appropriate safeguards and human accountability. This position requires a strategic leader who can guide AI efforts from concept through deployment, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and public value.

Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement risk-based AI governance frameworks, standards, and assurance processes within PDA’s remit, collaborating closely with Legal teams and relevant regulators. Define and apply methodologies for impact assessment, transparency, fairness, explainability, human oversight, and continuous monitoring throughout the AI lifecycle. Lead the prioritization and management of the government AI use-case portfolio by working with service owners to evaluate public value, feasibility, data readiness, costs, and risks before making investment recommendations. Oversee applied AI initiatives from evaluation and pilot phases through full deployment and ongoing monitoring, coordinating efforts with Technology, Data, Product, and Delivery Excellence teams. Establish evaluation criteria for AI models and suppliers, including generative AI, focusing on performance, safety, security, privacy, and operational suitability. Provide strategic advice on national AI capabilities, compute and model strategies, procurement needs, and ecosystem partnerships, aligned with approved policies and investment decisions. Build and develop the AI team and institutional capability, managing readiness assessments, facilitating knowledge transfer, and delivering executive-level reporting on outcomes and risks.

Required Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Technology Policy, or a related field is required, with a relevant master’s degree preferred. All qualifications must meet PDA’s recognition and equivalence standards. Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in AI, machine learning, technology strategy, or technology policy, including senior leadership roles. Proven leadership in AI strategy or governance is essential, along with sufficient technical expertise to critically assess applied AI systems, deployment risks, and assurance evidence. Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing executive stakeholders on responsible AI investment and adoption is required. Demonstrated success in driving complex technology initiatives through implementation with measurable outcomes and sustained governance is also necessary.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
Experience leading AI strategy, governance, or transformation projects within consulting, professional services, or technology advisory environments is highly desirable. Equivalent leadership experience in government, technology companies, regulated organizations, or specialist firms will also be considered. Familiarity with public-sector AI applications, generative AI evaluation, and internationally recognized AI risk frameworks is advantageous. The role offers an opportunity to shape AI governance at a national level within a dynamic public-sector environment.

Additional Information
Grade / Pay Scale: Grade-13
Vacancies: 1
Experience Required: 15+ years
Age Limit: Maximum 55 years
Application Deadline: 9 November 2026