Consultant for Ethical 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 a culture of peace and sustainable development, and it operates numerous programs and initiatives worldwide, focusing on the ethical implications of technology, including artificial intelligence.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Ethical AI Governance will play a crucial role in advancing UNESCO's mission to promote ethical practices in artificial intelligence. This position 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 developing and implementing a stakeholder engagement plan to gather feedback on the Nature Positive AI Toolkit for Policymakers. This toolkit aims to assist Member States in adopting ethical AI practices that align with human rights and environmental sustainability. The consultant will also contribute to ongoing projects related to AI governance, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into policy frameworks. The role requires a deep understanding of AI ethics and governance, as well as the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations for policymakers.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan that includes consultations with policymakers, experts, and civil society actors to gather feedback on the Nature Positive AI Toolkit.
• Analyze the usability and relevance of the Toolkit in governmental contexts and identify areas for improvement.
• Produce targeted recommendations to enhance the Toolkit based on stakeholder feedback.
• Prepare an updated version of the Nature Positive AI Toolkit for Policymakers, incorporating lessons learned from the engagement process.
• Identify synergies between the Toolkit and other Ethics of AI initiatives, ensuring environmental considerations are reflected in all outputs.
• Prepare communication materials, including presentations and social media content, to disseminate findings and updates.
• Participate in meetings with stakeholders to present work and contribute to the Ethics of AI Unit's ongoing activities.
• Attend missions related to project implementation as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields related to the governance of artificial intelligence, ethical implications of digital technologies, law and technology, or similar areas. A minimum of five years of professional experience in ethical, legal, social, and governance issues of AI is required. Proven experience in researching and addressing the environmental implications of AI is essential, along with demonstrated ability in drafting policy-oriented reports and frameworks. Experience leading multi-stakeholder projects is also necessary.

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

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of professional experience in the ethical, legal, social, and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies. Experience in researching and analyzing the environmental implications of AI is crucial, as is the ability to lead multi-stakeholder projects and engage with various stakeholders, including policymakers and civil society.

Languages:
Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English is mandatory. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language such as French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese is desirable and would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is between 1 to 6 months, and it is open to both internal and external candidates. The consultant may work remotely but will be required 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 on a deliverable basis. UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.