Lead expert for RAM & multistakeholder consultation & preparation of AI readiness report

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the TOR are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. Proposals deemed suitable in accordance to the TOR, UNESCO shall select based on Organisation best value for money.

In November 2021, 193 Member States of UNESCO adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. This global standard aims to leverage the positive impact of AI while addressing its inherent risks. Countries around the world are now in the process of implementing the Recommendation, with UNESCO supporting them through various capacity-building efforts. UNESCO is partnering with European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (INTPA) with Innovative Tools initiative, to assist UNESCO’s Member States in implementing UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (UNESCO Recommendation) by deploying the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). 

UNESCO is seeking senior experts to oversee the implementation of the project in Malaysia, including all research and analytical components, and to lead the preparation of a policy-oriented country report. This report will build on the results derived from UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and reflect the outcomes of the multi-stakeholder national consultations to be organized in the framework of this report. The aim of the report will be to inform the country’s comprehensive national AI strategy and to provide an evidence-based framework on the ethical governance of AI, with short-and long-term priorities identified, and using the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI as a blueprint.

The expert will work under the overall programmatic direction and authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS) and the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Jakarta, in coordination of the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Unit within the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in the UNESCO Office in Jakarta.

Candidates may team up to submit their joint applications for this consultancy.

The aim of this consultancy is to lead the development of research and analytical outputs towards the production of a policy-oriented country report. The Report will be based on the evidence gained through the deployment of UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology and the key outcomes of the broad national consultations. More specifically, the lead expert will be responsible for:

• Facilitating the work of a multidisciplinary national steering committee that will oversee the deployment of the RAM from the government’s side, notably from the Ministry of Communications and Informatics.
• Conducting the RAM questionnaire, to gain in-depth understanding of the potential for AI development, the state of the art in the country in terms of institutional and regulatory readiness, as well as the regulatory and institutional gaps to be filled to transform the potential into action. This should include identification of the key stakeholders to be engaged for data collection purposes.
• Preparing diagnostic report based on the outcomes of the RAM exercise. To this end, lead in data collection, data curation and analysis, ensuring a high level of quality. Where relevant and necessary, articulate regional and/or comparative perspectives and analysis for the purposes of cross-learning and exchange of good practices.
• Coordinating broad-based multistakeholder national consultations to present the results of the readiness assessment and to facilitate discussions leading to the identification of needs, concerns, and policy priorities for government, civil society, academia and the private sector.
• Drafting the final policy-oriented country report presenting the findings of the RAM questionnaire, to inform the national AI strategy. Depending on the country context, this report may be complementary to the existing national AI strategy or serve as the blueprint for establishing such a strategy/roadmap where one does not exist or updating it, and will feature recommendations concerning the regulatory and other policy reforms, institutional design, and capacity-building programmes needed for effective and responsible governance of AI in the country, based on the short- and long-term priorities identified, and using the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence as an overall framework. The report should follow the format which will be provided by the Programme Specialist, and should include qualitative and quantitative information, relevant data visualisations, examples of good practices, highlights, etc.
• Ensuring editing, and layout of the final report in English and assisting in the accuracy of the translation, editing and layout of the final report in other local languages as necessary.
• Participating in the high-level National Forum on AI to showcase the outcome of the project, which will be organized by UNESCO.
• Ensuring overall coordination with the UNESCO Office in Jakarta the national stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders involved throughout the RAM processes.

Education:

 Work Experience:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s 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:

• A minimum of ten years of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies, at national and/or international level. Experiences with the relevant government agency in the implementing country is a plus.
• 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, as well as standards related to these issues. Experiences in producing policy-oriented report or recommendations are strongly desirable.

Skills/competencies:

• Very good understanding of the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies.
• Excellent knowledge about the dynamics of governance of AI in the implementing country, including policies, legislative and regulatory frameworks, institutional mechanisms, organizational structures and processes, and initiatives by different stakeholders in this field.
• 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.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of local language and English.

Source:  https://careers.unesco.org/job/Malaysia-Lead-expert-for-RAM-&-multistakeholder-consultation-&-preparation-of-AI-readiness-report-Malaysia/793890902/