Emerging Tech Research and Partnerships Director

Department: Mobile for Development

Team: Emerging Tech

Location: London (hybrid working)

Position type: Fixed term contract until 31/03/2029

Reporting to: Head of Emerging Tech

What The Hiring Manager Says: In an era where AI's transformative power is rewriting industries, this role offers a unique opportunity to support the development and adoption of AI in low-middle income countries by and for underserved communities. This is a crucial leadership role in the Emerging Tech programme as it builds its impact and network. You will have an interest in the transformative application of AI, mobile, and emerging technologies in international development and be a dedicated manager and collaborator to deliver the programme’s aims.

About The Team: The Mobile for Development (M4D) team drives innovation in digital technology to reduce inequalities in our world. Singularly positioned at the intersection of the mobile ecosystem and the development sector, we stimulate digital innovation to deliver both sustainable business and large-scale socio-economic impact for the underserved. The Emerging Tech Programme sits within the broader M4D team and aims to accelerate impact and climate action by fostering the adoption of AI and emerging technologies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To achieve our mission, we work with public, private and third sector innovators to develop scalable and sustainable solutions that have at the core inclusive and responsible AI.

About The Role: The Research and Partnerships Director will play a leadership role in the Emerging Tech programme, with explicit responsibility for shaping and operationalising the programme’s approach to responsible and inclusive AI. The role will help develop Emerging Tech’s network with development partners, operators, innovators and donors and support increasing integrated delivery across the insights, market engagement and innovation fund aspects of M4D’s AI work. The role will lead the research and insights agenda for the Emerging Tech programme, positioning GSMA as a thought leader in the responsible and impactful use of AI and emerging technologies for digital development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Play a role in the strategic direction of the Emerging Tech programme, identifying key themes, use cases, and opportunities for responsible and inclusive AI and emerging tech in LMICs.
• Working with the Head of Programme, enable collaboration between programme functions, building a cohesive delivery model across insights, market engagement and the innovation fund.
• Develop and deliver the Emerging Tech learning agenda, ensuring it addresses not only impact and scale, but also risk, unintended consequences, and governance challenges associated with AI deployment.
• Lead and manage research and insights professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Oversee and execute research projects on AI, mobile big data, IoT, blockchain, remote sensing, and other emerging technologies, with a strong emphasis on responsible design, data governance and inclusion.
• Produce high-quality outputs (reports, briefs, case studies, blogs) for diverse audiences, ensuring GSMA’s standards and editorial quality.
• Collaborate across M4D, AI for Impact and broader GSMA teams to ensure coherence and amplify research relevance.
• Engage with donors, mobile operators, startups, governments, NGOs and multilateral institutions to validate findings and promote research.
• Support the Innovation Fund rounds on Impactful AI, including leveraging evidence and learnings and providing technical input where relevant.

About You: The Emerging Tech Research and Partnerships Director will be passionate about the role of AI in development, and you’ll bring a strong commitment to ensuring these technologies are deployed responsibly, inclusively, and with accountability. You will have experience in this field as a researcher and/or practitioner. You will be excited to join a diverse team that shares a passion for the ways mobile and emerging technologies can address development outcomes.

Must-have Experience And Capabilities For This Role Are:

• Demonstrated expertise in AI and emerging technologies, with a strong foundation in their application for international development.
• Experience designing and delivering mixed-methods research, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate actionable insights for responsible AI-driven international development initiatives.
• Experience should include work related to AI governance, ethics, data protection or responsible innovation frameworks.
• Significant knowledge of the AI for development ecosystem and specifically the role of mobile network operators.
• Ability to shape and articulate a strategic approach for the Emerging Tech programme, grounded in a deep understanding of the evolving global AI landscape and its implications for international development.

Additional Desirable Experience And Capabilities For This Role Include:

• Proven leadership and managerial experience, ideally in global, cross-functional teams.
• Track record of delivering high-quality research using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, collaborate effectively across diverse teams and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Strategic thinker, able to translate challenges and opportunities into actionable research and programme direction.
• Excellent communication skills, able to articulate complex issues in plain language for diverse audiences.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders across public, private and third sectors.
• Passionate about digital innovation, inclusion and impact in LMICs.
• Willingness to travel internationally and work in a matrixed, multicultural environment.

About Your Skills:

• Analysis: Interpret quantitative and qualitative data to generate insights, conduct analysis, and develop clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Stakeholder Management: Work effectively across a diverse network of internal and external stakeholders to advance the programme’s objectives.
• Communication: Communicate complex technical or strategic concepts clearly and accessibly to a range of audiences.
• Teamwork: Value and contribute to collective working, actively collaborating with colleagues across your team and the wider GSMA.

We strive to offer a meaningful and inclusive application experience for all candidates. Should you require any accommodations or adjustments due to a disability or for any other reason during the hiring process, please contact talent@gsma.com with your request.

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)

Worker type: Employee

What We Offer: Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish. In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.

Being You at the GSMA: We care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well-being and work/life balance is important, so flexi-time and remote working is available to all staff. We’re keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The success of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.

GSMA Values: Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation. Passionately driven, insightful leaders, stronger together.