Established in 2002, the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a non-profit foundation set up to help tackle child labour and forced labour in cocoa-growing communities. ICI works with the
cocoa industry, civil society and national governments in cocoa-producing countries to promote child rights and workers’ rights.

ICI’s vision is of thriving cocoa-growing communities within a dignified, sustainable and responsibly managed cocoa supply chain, where child rights and human rights are protected and respected, and where child labour and forced labour have been eliminated.

As part of its efforts to tackle child labour and forced labour in the cocoa supply chain, ICI regularly involves and relies on community structures and members to conduct interventions. For practical reasons, the standardized tools used in this context by community members are on paper, which helps tackle common limitations (e.g., limited access to smartphones or tablets, weak internet connection), but makes it more difficult to monitor and learn from the activities, in the absence of an agile digital data workflow.
With the development of AI-based technologies, less resource intensive solutions are emerging which allow to process standardized, paper-based forms into structured databases.

To support its efforts and community-based initiatives, ICI is seeking to develop such a workflow, which could adapt to several contexts of digitalization and forms

In that context, ICI is seeking a consultant to develop an AI-powered image content recognition solution to process the data of standardized paper forms.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

(Please find the detailed terms of reference as a pdf attachment on ICI's website.)

REQUIREMENTS

ICI is seeking a consultant with the following experience and profile:

• Master's/PhD level education in web development, mathematics and computer science, IT and/or AI technologies.
• Excellent command of writing code in one or more programming or scripting languages, such as HTLM, CSS, JavaScript or PHP.
• Excellent knowledge and command of AI tools/automation technologies/image-text recognition technologies.
• Knowledge of R, Stata or python
• Experience in leading projects to popularize complex concepts or educational projects would be a plus.
• Experience in planning and developing reliable, high-performance prototype applications or online platforms/modules.
• Knowledge in data privacy and cybersecurity
• Database management skills
• UX/UI design skills
• Experience in data-driven decision making
• Knowledge in risk management
• Excellent command of French and English.
• Experience in international development or NGO sector would be a plus.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested contractors should send a technical and financial proposal, describing the contractor’s relevant experience and capacity to undertake the mission.

Applications must be submitted by email with the subject line: “NAME_AI-powered image content recognition tool” to hr@cocoainitiative.orgby 7 September 2025.

Applications must include:

• Information on the consultant’s prior experience on similar projects, including references or links to examples of relevant work (1 page, max.)
• Technical and financial offer, including the total amount offered in Swiss Francs or Euro. Note that the budget should detail all staff and material costs (1 page, max.)
• Draft workplan to provide the deliverables listed above (1 page, max.)
• CVs of the lead consultant and any key team members (2 pages max, per person)
• Contact details of two referees.

By submitting your application, you consent to us processing your data for the purpose of evaluating the suitability of your profile for this mission. The data related to your application will remain confidential and will only be used for recruitment purposes. Once the position is closed, your application will be deleted.

For any questions, please contact c.marclay@cocoainitiative.org and f.auger@cocoainitiative.org.

Please note that only candidates who meet the above requirements and are selected for an interview will be contacted.