Health AI Governance and Regulatory Specialist - SAHI Secretariat (WHO SEARO)
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the UN's specialized agency for international health. WHO-SEARO, based in New Delhi, supports eleven Member States in strengthening health systems, advancing universal health coverage, and protecting populations from health emergencies. WHO-SEARO focuses on digital health and AI, aligning with global strategies and ethical guidelines. In India, WHO-SEARO supports the implementation of the national Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (SAHI), a framework for safe, accountable, and inclusive AI adoption in the health system.
Job Purpose
This role provides dedicated technical support to Pillar I (Governance, Regulation, and Trust) of the SAHI Secretariat, hosted by the National Health Authority (NHA) in New Delhi. The assignment aims to embed trust in health AI through a risk-based approach across its lifecycle. The specialist will contribute to drafting, validating, and monitoring the Pillar I implementation roadmap, ensuring alignment with global normative instruments and the Indian health-system context. This position is crucial for the safe, equitable, and accountable integration of AI in India's healthcare landscape, supporting WHO-SEARO's role as a designated partner agency for SAHI implementation.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer will support the drafting and finalization of Pillar I implementation roadmap actions concerning risk classification, regulatory pathways, accountability, and liability for AI in healthcare, utilizing the NHA's standard implementation template. Responsibilities include analyzing and adapting global normative instruments (e.g., WHO guidance, EU AI Act) to the Indian context. The role involves developing risk-classification guidance for health AI tools and coordinating technical inputs with national regulatory bodies (CDSCO, ICMR, MeitY, NHA) and legal institutions. The specialist will prepare technical notes and background papers for SAHI committees, contribute to cross-cutting technical products, and support regional validation consultations. Progress tracking, risk flagging, and linking SAHI Pillar I work to regional/global AI governance processes are also key duties.
Work Experience
Requires at least seven years of professional experience in AI or digital-health governance, medical device/SaMD regulation, health-technology policy, or health law and regulatory affairs. Experience with the UN system or international development organizations is an asset. Demonstrated familiarity with Indian regulatory bodies (CDSCO, ICMR, MeitY, NHA) and international AI governance frameworks is essential. Proven ability to draft policy and legal instruments and translate complex information for senior audiences is required.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, planning, organization, professionalism, respect for diversity, self-management, and teamwork. Expertise in governance, legal affairs, and public health is essential. Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills in English are required, along with excellent interpersonal and stakeholder coordination abilities. Familiarity with MS Office and collaborative document tools is necessary.