Project Officer (Social and Human Sciences)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : SHS/PA 042

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 26-AUG-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance
 

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), a global standard aimed at leveraging the positive impacts of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Countries worldwide are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts, funded through partnerships with multiple donors, including the Government of Japan, the European Commission, and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.

The Digital Flanders Agency has launched an Artificial Intelligence Expertise Centre (AI EC) to enhance and guide the adoption of AI across Flemish public administrations. The capacity and capability of the AI EC need to be strengthened to empower it to fulfil its coordination role among Flemish public administrations in the facilitation and implementation of AI projects. The project aims to foster Flemish public administrations’ AI-readiness and increase the adoption of AI across the Flemish public administrations in a safe, robust, trustworthy, and ethical manner. The project’s three main outcomes focus on strengthening: (i) institutional capacity for AI governance, (ii) technical capacity for AI projects, and (iii) human capacity for AI awareness, literacy, and skills.

The incumbent will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences’ Sector (ADG/SHS) and under the direct supervision of the Head of Ethics of AI Unit at UNESCO Headquarters. 

As a member of the UNESCO Ethics of AI Team, s/he will contribute to developing various knowledge products and advancing the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

Long Description

European Commission Project Responsibilities:

The Project Officer will oversee the successful implementation of the project activities and ensure the quality of its outcomes, including: 

• Strengthening AI governance capacity through organizational and policy measures in Flemish public administrations, enabling them to adapt their governance frameworks and swiftly implement current and forthcoming digital legislation.
• Enhancing technical capacity to execute AI projects within Flemish public administrations, improving expertise in AI-ready Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, including cybersecurity and data stewardship.
• Increasing human capacity in Flemish public administrations by raising AI awareness and enhancing literacy and skills.

The Project Officer will be responsible produce a comprehensive assessment report using UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology to evaluate various aspects of AI governance in Flemish public administrations. This includes setting up an AI Advisory Board, producing an overview of digital legislation related to AI, contributing to the development of the Flemish AI Strategy, recommending an optimal AI governance structure, and advising on stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities. 

The Project Officer will also provide concrete recommendations on how to operationalise the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) findings to increase AI-readiness in the Flemish public administration.

Other Responsabilities:

• Actively engage as part of the Ethics of AI team in linking its work to high-level processes related to AI ethics and governance, including within the UN system, G20 and G7 platforms, and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), and others. 
• Contribute to other ongoing work of the AI Ethics Team, including research and analysis, participation in meetings, presentations to stakeholders, and support in preparing speeches, presentations, blogs, white papers, and other materials.

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 

• A minimum of 4 (four) years of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies at the national level, of which preferably 2 (two) years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience managing projects and teams.
• Proven experience coordinating and leading large events involving multidisciplinary stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies 

• Very good understanding of artificial intelligence’s ethical, legal, social and governance issues and related digital technologies.
• 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 UNESCO’s 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.
• Proven ability to work on multiple interrelated outputs.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education  

• Advanced university degree (PhD 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 

• Experience conducting research and analysis and/or implementing programmes/projects on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies is strongly desirable.
• Experience in producing policy-oriented reports or recommendations is strongly desirable.

Languages

• Knowledge of Dutch.
• Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 104 196 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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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.