OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 23/07/2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background
In November 2021, 193 Member States of UNESCO adopted the Recommendation on the โโEthics of Artificial Intelligence โโ(the Recommendation). This global standard aims to leverage โโthe positive impacts of AI while addressing its inherent โrisks. Countries around the world are โโnow in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO โsupporting them โโthrough various capacity-building efforts, funded through partnerships with multiple donors, โโโincluding the Government of Japan, the European Commission, and the Patrick J. McGovern โโFoundation.โ
The Digital Flanders Agency has launched an Artificial Intelligence Expertise Center (AI EC) โโtasked with enhancing and โguiding the adoption of AI across Flemish public administrations. โโThe capacity and capability of the AI EC need to be โstrengthened to empower it to fulfill its โโcoordination role among Flemish public administrations in the facilitation and โimplementation โโof AI projects.
To this end, the Consultant will work on the project AI-Ready Flemish Public Administration project, funded by the European Commissionโs SG REFORM. The project aims to foster Flemish public administrationsโ AI-readiness and โโincrease the โadoption of AI across the Flemish public administrations in a safe, robust, โโtrustworthy, and ethical manner. Through โits three outcomes, the project focuses on โโstrengthening (i) institutional capacity for AI governance, (ii) technical โcapacity for AI projects, โโand (iii) human capacity for AI awareness, literacy and skills within the Flemish public โโโadministrations.โ
Long Description
Scope of Work
The Consultant will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for โโSocial and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS) and under the direct supervision of the Head of โโEthics of AI Unit at UNESCO Headquarters. โ
The primary functions of the Consultant will be to organize and deliver the institutional capacity building deliverables, and to lead the legal working group of interested stakeholders within and across Flemish public administration entities.
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As a member of the UNESCO Ethics of AI Team, the Consultant will also contribute to the โโdevelopment of various knowledge products and the delivery of tasks to advance the โโimplementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.โ
Long Description
European Commission Project
The Consultant shall undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
Produce a Monitoring Legislation Dashboard The consultant will make a comprehensive overview of โEU digital โlegislation, non-binding guidelines, and interpretative documents relevant to AI, โtaking into account the โanalysis of these documents as part of the RAM exercise. Additionally, โactionable suggestions must be made โregarding the concrete use and uptake of the EU โlegislation dashboard during and beyond the duration of the โproject, including the interface as โwell as mechanisms for information collection and dissemination.โ The Consultant will lead the testing and refinement of the dashboard model: once the initial version of the government AI โlegislation dashboard โis developed, it must undergo testing and refinement to ensure its โfunctionality and usability. The goal is to โcreate a user-friendly and reliable tool that effectively โmonitors and disseminates information about EU โdigital legislation, non-binding guidelines, and โinterpretative documents relevant to AI.โ
Produce optimal AI Governance Recommendations The Consultant will design a conceptual โmodel for the โoptimal AI governance structure tailored to the Flemish context. Based on a review of digital legislation and the existing AI policy governance structure, the consultant will advise on stakeholder โroles, responsibilities and which resources must be provided to ensure โeffective implementation of a potential Flemish AI โstrategy and adherence to guiding principles
Co-lead the Legal and Ethical Working Group. The Consultant will be the key contact point and organizer of a working group of interested stakeholders, bringing together civil servants across the public administration. The group will serve as the primary stakeholder group. The tasks will include coordination, relationship management and clear communication of the project goals and timeline.
Substantively contribute to deliverables with an institutional component which other Team members are leading, including: An Algorithm Register Feasibility Study UNESCOโs Readiness Assessment Methodology for Flanders Final project reporting.
Long Description
Ethics of AI Team General Tasks
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies at the national and/or international level. A PhD can count as work experience. Proven experience involving EU digital legislation is mandatory.Skills and competencies
Very good understanding of artificial intelligence's ethical, legal, social and governance issues and related digital technologies. Excellent knowledge of EU digital legislation, comprising the recently published AI Act. Excellent knowledge about the dynamics of governance of AI, including policies, legislative and regulatory frameworks, institutional mechanisms, organisational structures and processes, and initiatives by different stakeholders in this field. This includes broad familiarity with UNESCOโs AI Readiness Assessment Methodology and the ability to translate lessons learned and good practices into practical guidance for policymakers. Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely and to produce high-quality policy-oriented analysis and synthesis documents, especially to convey complex legislation to a diverse audience. Proven ability to work on multiple interrelated outputs. Proven ability to lead workstreams and demonstrate excellent project knowledge management skills. Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment, and to work effectively under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
Languages
Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Ph.D. or equivalent in governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence or digital technologies, law and technology, or other related fields.
Work Experience
At least one (1) year of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence acquired at the international level. Experience working with Flemish public administrations is considered highly desirable; experience working with Dutch public administrations is considered an advantage. Experience dialoguing with communication and graphic design teams to translate complex legal concepts into easy-to-understand visual knowledge products is considered highly desirable. Experience in leading trainings and public speaking engagements on topics of digital legislation is considered highly desirable. Demonstratable experience with asynchronous communication and remote-first teams is considered highly desirable.
Languages
Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of Dutch
APPLICATION PROCESS
Before submitting the Employment History form (Word file) to the โMy Employment History Form / My Documentsโ section of the online application, the candidate must add the following elements at the end of the file: CV,
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 11-month period (full-time working).
Please note that the consultant salary expectations must be expressed in gross amounts. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties in accordance with local laws. UNESCO will not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which the Project Coordination Consultant may be liable in respect of any payments made to him/her under the terms of this contract.
Only applications with the above-requested information can be considered.
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 an 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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