Senior Data and AI Officer

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Position Title: Senior Data and AI Officer
Location: Paris
Country: France
Deadline Date: 11-MAR-2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which was established in 194

• UNESCO's mission is to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO is dedicated to fostering a culture of peace, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that education is accessible to all.

Job Overview:
The Senior Data and AI Officer position is crucial for UNESCO as it increasingly relies on data for program delivery and reporting. This role is situated within the Bureau for Digital Business Solutions (DBS) and reports directly to the Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO). The officer will be responsible for establishing data and AI governance frameworks, ensuring the ethical use of data and AI, and coordinating various data and AI projects across the organization. This includes consolidating databases, developing integrated data dashboards, and advocating for responsible data practices. The officer will also engage with various stakeholders, including clients, business owners, and technical teams, to ensure that data governance aligns with UNESCO's mission and ethical standards. The role requires a proactive approach to innovation and a strong foundation in data management and AI concepts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Data and AI Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive Data and AI Governance Framework that establishes policies and procedures for data management across the organization.
• Creating strategies to raise awareness about data management and organizing training sessions for staff.
• Developing tools and processes to ensure data quality and metadata management.
• Coordinating the integration of AI technologies into UNESCO's projects, ensuring alignment with ethical standards.
• Supporting the organization of events and working groups focused on digital innovation and data governance.
• Contributing to digital transformation initiatives by leading the Sub-group on Data and AI.
• Engaging in capacity building by developing training programs on ethical AI use and data management best practices.
• Monitoring AI trends and providing updates to relevant bodies within UNESCO.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Data Governance, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least seven years of relevant professional experience in areas such as AI, machine learning, data science, or data management, along with technical experience in data curation, cleaning, and analysis. Experience in developing data governance frameworks and leading cross-functional teams is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, Data Governance, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics. A Bachelor's degree in these fields, combined with additional work experience, may also be acceptable. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of data management and AI governance.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in relevant fields such as AI, machine learning, data management, or business analysis. This experience should include technical aspects of data management, project delivery for large cross-functional projects, and familiarity with agile development practices. Experience in leading teams and coordinating between technical and non-technical stakeholders is also crucial for this role.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English or French is mandatory, with good knowledge of the other language being desirable. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of two years, and it is open to both internal and external candidates. The role is full-time and based in Paris, France. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 118,625 USD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and workforce diversity.