Consultant for AI Governance

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and promoting human rights, particularly in the context of education and cultural preservation. UNESCO operates various programs and initiatives that address global challenges, including the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, which is a growing area of focus for the organization.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for AI Governance at UNESCO involves working under the authority of the director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences Sector and directly supervising the Head of the Ethics of AI Unit. The consultant will be responsible for drafting a final policy-oriented country report based on the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) for one of the seven participating countries. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of the ethical and human rights implications of AI, as well as the ability to synthesize complex information into coherent policy recommendations. The consultant will engage in data curation and analysis, lead national consultations, and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure the report aligns with UNESCO's frameworks and national AI policy objectives. The ultimate goal is to promote ethical and inclusive governance of AI, empowering civil society and enhancing engagement with countries on AI ethics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include leading the data curation and analysis based on the completed RAM questionnaire and national consultation inputs, drafting the final RAM policy-oriented country report, preparing a diagnostic summary, collaborating with the Ethics of AI Unit for feedback, conducting a RAM country report launch event, and providing insights for the observatory country page. The consultant will ensure that the report includes qualitative and quantitative information, relevant data visualizations, and policy recommendations that align with national AI policy timelines. Additionally, the consultant will coordinate logistics for the report launch event and engage in discussions with the UNESCO HQ team for future engagements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields related to AI governance, ethical implications of AI, law and technology, or data science. A minimum of five years of professional experience in AI ethics, governance, and policymaking is required, with demonstrated experience in leading multi-stakeholder consultation processes. Proven ability to develop assessment methodologies and policy tools, particularly in AI ethics, is essential. Candidates should also have experience in coordinating international projects and managing contributions from multiple stakeholders to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of AI, law and technology, computer science, data science, or related fields. An advanced university degree (PhD) in these areas is highly desirable and can enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in AI ethics, governance, and policymaking. This experience should include conducting research and producing policy-oriented reports, as well as leading multi-stakeholder consultation processes. A PhD can be counted as part of the required work experience, and candidates should demonstrate a strong background in developing and revising assessment methodologies and governance frameworks in the context of AI ethics.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language, such as French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese, is considered desirable and can enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is from one to six months, with the specific duration set at three months until March 30th, 202

• The consultant may work remotely but is expected to attend in-person missions related to project implementation. The application process requires candidates to submit an up-to-date CV and a one-page statement outlining their qualifications and approach to the work. The financial proposal should indicate salary expectations in US dollars, quoted on a deliverable basis for the assignment. UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States and individuals with disabilities.