RFP: Strategic AI Advisory Firm for Women’s Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
Position Overview
Roles and Responsibilities
Women's World Banking is seeking a qualified firm or consultancy to serve as a strategic AI liaison, supporting the organization's growing portfolio of initiatives at the intersection of responsible and safe AI, financial inclusion, gender equity, and women health. Rather than developing proprietary AI systems internally, the selected firm will drive value by identifying and evaluating existing AI solutions suited to our programmatic needs, interfacing with external AI technology partners, and uncovering new opportunities for partnerships and innovation. The projects spanning this portfolio are designed to advance the economic empowerment of low-income women and women micro-entrepreneurs. These include, but are not limited to: fair credit and loan recommendation systems that address gender and income bias in lending; agentic AI tools that help policymakers design evidence-based financial inclusion policies; fairness-aware recommender systems that ensure financial products reach those who need them most; and initiatives that expand women's ability to earn more, influence financial decisions, and protect their livelihoods in the face of climate and health risks. The selected firm will be placed on retainers with Women's World Banking and engaged across one or more initiatives based on their expertise and the needs of the portfolio.
- AI land scape assessment and solution mapping: Conduct structured assessments of available AI tools, platforms, and solutions relevant to financial inclusion and gender equity. Evaluate off-the-shelf options against Women's World Banking's programmatic needs and recommend the most appropriate, responsible, and cost-effective solutions.
- Technology partnership development: Identify, engage, and manage relationships with external AI technology providers, vendors, and innovators to advance Women's World Banking's mission and unlock new opportunities for programmatic growth and impact.
- Responsible AI integration guidance: Advise on the responsible adoption and integration of AI tools into Women's World Banking's existing programs and workflows, ensuring solutions meet standards for fairness, transparency, security, and accountability, particularly as they affect low-income women and marginalized populations.
- Fairness and ethics oversight: Evaluate AI tools and vendor solutions for potential bias, discriminatory outputs, or ethical risks prior to adoption, ensuring alignment with Women's World Banking's commitments to gender equity and financial inclusion.
- Strategic advisory and knowledge sharing: Serve as a thought partner to Women's World Banking's leadership on emerging AI trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Grant Support and Representation: Support Women's World Banking's grant applications by contributing to proposal development and allowing the firm to be named as a technical partner where appropriate. Where required by funders, participate in proposal defense sessions or funder convenings to represent the AI advisory dimension of the work.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of organizational experience in AI strategy, technology consulting, or digital transformation, with a demonstrated focus on responsible or ethical AI adoption.
- Proven track record of conducting AI landscape assessments, vendor evaluations, or technology solution mapping for mission-driven or development-sector organizations.
- Demonstrated experience advising on AI tools and platforms in areas relevant to financial services, lending, credit, or financial inclusion.
- Experience managing or facilitating external technology partnerships, including vendor engagement, due diligence, and integration oversight.
- Demonstrated ability to operate across diverse regulatory environments and emerging markets.
- At least one member of the proposed project team holds a graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a closely related technical field from an accredited institution, with at least 6 years of professional experience applying machine learning and a minimum of 4 years working with deep learning methods.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with financial regulations and compliance frameworks relevant to AI-driven lending or credit scoring. Experience with standards such as Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act or equivalent frameworks in emerging markets such as India or Nigeria; firms are not expected to hold expertise across all markets but should demonstrate the ability to navigate and learn new regulatory environments quickly.
- Prior experience working with or advising mission-driven organizations, NGOs, or international development institutions on AI strategy or technology adoption.
- Experience working in or across emerging markets, particularly in contexts involving gender equity, financial inclusion, or underserved populations.
How to Apply
Applications must be received no later than June 26, 2026, at midnight EST.
- Cover letter: Briefly describing the firm's interest, relevant experience, and capacity to undertake this engagement.
- Organizational profile: Include the firm's background, areas of expertise, key clients, and experience working with mission-driven or international development organizations.
- Relevant case studies: Demonstrate prior experience in comparable engagements.
- References: Please provide at least two references from clients or partners with direct knowledge of your firm's work in comparable engagements.
- Project team structure: Include roles, responsibilities, and brief bios of key personnel who would be assigned to this engagement.
- Cost structure: Please use the table below as a guide and submit a filled-out version as part of your application. The roles listed are indicative, and we recognize that firms may have different internal structures and role definitions. You are welcome to adjust role titles, add rows where necessary, or indicate where a listed role does not apply, and explain how that function will otherwise be covered. You may also share your firm's average pricing, as we understand that rates may vary slightly depending on project specifications, complexity, and scope. All costs should be quoted in USD.
| Role | Definition | Daily Rate |
| Lead AI Strategist / Principal Advisor | Senior advisor responsible for overall strategic direction, AI solution mapping, partnership development, and direct engagement with Women's World Banking leadership | $ |
| AI Ethics and Fairness Specialist | Specialist responsible for evaluating AI tools and vendor solutions for bias, fairness risks, and alignment with gender equity and financial inclusion principles | $ |
| Additional Role (Proposed by Firm) | Please describe the role, its responsibilities, and its relevance to this engagement | $
|
| Total Cost | $ | |
| Additional comments | ||
Applicants may submit their question(s) in writing until June 18, 2026, to mm@womensworldbanking.org. Please include in the e-mail subject line “Questions: AI Advisory Firm”.
This RFP does not guarantee or commit Women’s World Banking to proceeding with the above-described work. Due to the overwhelming responses, not all candidates will be contacted.
Women’s World Banking is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Women’s World Banking will be unable to contract with any individual who is a US citizen or resident without an LLC or LP or similar structure.
About Women's World Banking
We believe in being a force for the greater good, devoted to accelerating and growing the financial inclusion of women. With rapidly changing markets, influenced by technology and social behavioral expectations, we are embarking on a new chapter to transform the way we design and implement solutions.
For over 40 years, Women’s World Banking has partnered with financial institutions, showing them the benefit of investing in women as customers. We equip these institutions with in-depth research and data driven insights to develop financial products and educational programs. While our clients are financial service providers, our mission is to engage consumers – women who are marginalized by financial systems.
Women’s World Banking and WWB Asset Management is an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
