Consultant to support UNESCO's engagement in global AI initiatives
Paris
- Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Location: Paris
- Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Closing Date: 2024-09-23
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : [[Contract Type]]
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-09-2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
In November 2021, 193 Member States of UNESCO adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (“the Recommendation”). This global standard aims to leverage the positive impacts of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, mainly through the Readiness Assessment Methodology and the Ethical Impact Assessment, capacity building tools that UNESCO developed to measure the state-of-art related to AI in each country and tailor its support. To date, more than 60 countries have embarked on this process. In parallel, UNESCO is generating knowledge products that document the latest regulatory and policy developments on AI. Those efforts are funded through partnerships with multiple donors, including the Government of Japan, the European Commission, and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
At the global level, UNESCO is engaging with the major platforms and initiatives on AI governance, to enrich them with its experience on AI governance and knowledge gained from the multifaceted action on the implementation of the Recommendation.
Among such global initiatives are the AI Safety summits launched by the UK government in November 2023. The UK AI Safety Summit (Bletchley Park, 1-2 November 2023), was followed by the AI Seoul Summit (21 and 22 May 2024), and the preparations are underway for the AI Action Summit to be hosted by the Government of France in February 2024. Other important forums include G20 (Digital Economy Track), G7 (Hiroshima Process), and GPAI.
SCOPE OF WORK
UNESCO is seeking a consultant who will work with the Ethics of AI team to ensure coordination of input and participation in major international events, initiatives and for a on AI ethics and governance, with the special angle of the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
Under the authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Science, and the direct supervision of the Head of the AI Ethics Unit, the selected consultant will contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to ensure cohesion on the international front with regards to AI ethics and governance.
Long Description
Specific Tasks
The selected consultant will be in charge of the following tasks:
- Engaging substantively as part of the Ethics of AI team in regular efforts to link its work with high-level processes related to ethics and governance of AI (including apropos of upcoming AI Safety/Action Summits, G20 and G7 platforms, GPAI, and others);
- Coordinating actions to ensure effective engagement of Ethics of AI team and associated experts in the relevant workstreams of these global initiatives;
- Contributing to ongoing research and analysis conducted by the secretariat on AI governance and ethics;
- Participating in meetings and events related to the summits and liaising internally and externally to position UNESCO in these meetings as well as networking;
- Presenting UNESCO’s work to different stakeholders;
- Supporting the secretariat with the preparation of different materials such as speeches, presentations, blogs, white papers, etc.
- Strengthen the link with different projects on AI that are currently in progress in the section, enhance coordination and help substantively to link the outputs of the projects.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence or digital technologies, law and technology, computer science, data science, computational social science, or other related fields.
Work Experience
• Professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies, at the national and/or international level;
• Proven experience in coordinating and organizing major events related to AI governance, and other digital technologies;
• Proven experience in conducting research and analysis and/or implementing programmes/projects on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies
Skills/Competencies
- Very good understanding of the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies
- Experiences in undertaking policy review and assessments both qualitatively and quantitatively on topics related to governance of AI or related digital technologies
- Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely and to produce high quality policy-oriented analysis and synthesis documents
- Experience in taking part in the organization of global events on AI governance
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English and French
APPLICATION
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:
• A one-page statement laying out how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment, and explaining how they would approach the work;
• The salary expectations for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars on a monthly basis for a 6-month period (full-time working).
Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information above, upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form. Only applications with the above requested information will be considered.
Selection will be based on the candidate’s level of expertise and experience and his/her ability to meet fully the requirements as defined in the Job Opening.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.