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 workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and promoting human rights, particularly in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for AI Governance will play a crucial role in advancing UNESCO's mission to promote ethical and human rights-based approaches to artificial intelligence (AI). This position is integral to the ongoing project, 'Scaling Inclusive, Human Rights-Based Ethical AI Governance,' which aims to consolidate and expand the results of previous initiatives. The consultant will be responsible for updating the Meta-Analysis report on the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and developing a systematic approach for integrating new RAM reports into this analysis. This role requires a deep understanding of AI governance, the ability to synthesize complex data, and the capacity to produce actionable insights for policymakers. The consultant will work closely with the Ethics of AI Unit and contribute to the dissemination of findings and recommendations to various stakeholders, including civil society and government entities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Update the Meta-Analysis of RAMs Report by incorporating newly published RAMs and revising findings and trends accordingly.
• Develop a step-by-step guide for integrating new RAM reports into the Meta-Analysis, ensuring that the process is accessible to the Ethics of AI team without requiring coding expertise.
• Collaborate with the Ethics of AI team to gather inputs and contribute to communication and dissemination efforts.
• Conduct thorough analyses of emerging trends and common challenges in national AI governance based on RAM findings.
• Produce clear, concise, and impactful reports or toolkits that synthesize complex information for policymakers.
• Maintain excellent organizational and project management skills to handle multiple deliverables within tight deadlines.
• Engage with various stakeholders, including policymakers, international organizations, and civil society, to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of AI, law and technology, computer science, data science, or related fields.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in AI ethics, governance, and policymaking, particularly in research and policy-oriented report production.
• Proven experience in conducting cross-cutting analyses and meta-research on AI policy frameworks and governance strategies.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled tools for policy research and data analysis.
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder projects and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A university degree in relevant fields such as governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of AI, law and technology, computer science, data science, or computational social science is required. An advanced degree (PhD) in these areas is highly desirable and can count towards the required work experience.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in the field of AI ethics, governance, and policymaking. This experience should include conducting research, producing policy-oriented reports, and engaging with various stakeholders in the AI governance landscape. A PhD can be considered equivalent to work experience, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for this role.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is mandatory. Proficiency in French is desirable and would be considered an asset for this position, facilitating communication with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role with a contract duration ranging from 1 to 6 months. It is open to both internal and external candidates. The consultant's salary expectations must be expressed in gross amounts and quoted on a deliverable basis. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.