UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 02-09-2024 EXTENDED
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, 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 Center (AI EC) tasked with enhancing and guiding 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. Through its three outcomes, the project focuses on strengthening (i) institutional capacity for AI governance, (ii) technical capacity for AI projects, and (iii) human capacity for AI awareness, literacy and skills within the Flemish public administrations.
Read more about the project here: www.unesco.org/en/artificial-intelligence/recommendation-ethics/flemish-government.
The Consultant 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, the Consultant will contribute to the development of various knowledge products and the delivery of tasks to advance the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
SCOPE OF WORK
European Commission Project
a. Assess the needs for an EU digital legislation, non-binding guidelines and interpretative documents dashboard: identify the specific features, functionalities, and information that should be included in the dashboard to effectively serve the needs of decision-makers and public administrators in Flanders. Inform the design and development of a dashboard.
b. Testing and refinement of the dashboard: once the initial version of the government AI legislation dashboard is developed, it must undergo testing and refinement to ensure its functionality and usability. The goal is to create a user-friendly and reliable tool that effectively monitors and disseminates information about EU digital legislation, non-binding guidelines, and interpretative documents relevant to AI.
c. Assess the ratio of AI systems belonging to the high-risk/low-risk category of the AI Act: evaluate whether the AI systems used by representative entities within Flemish public administration will be classified as high-risk or low-risk according to the AI Act provisions to assess the overall ratio of high-risk/low-risk AI systems, as well as to prepare for the guidance note on the EU AI Act.
d. Assess the feasibility of establishing an algorithm register: assess the potential benefits, needs and expectations towards an algorithm register.
e. Conduct a feasibility study for the creation of an algorithm register: a feasibility study must be undertaken to assess the viability and practicality of establishing a public algorithm register for Flemish Public Administrations.
f. Assess current needs and best practices on AI self-assessment tools: assess current needs and best practices related to self-assessment tools for AI applications. The findings need to inform the development of recommendations for designing and implementing a tailored self-assessment tool suited to the needs and uses of AI in the Flemish public administration context.
g. Assess current ICT infrastructure: assess the existing ICT infrastructure, including data, cybersecurity, and AI components.
SCOPE OF WORK
h. Piloting the AI-ready reference architecture framework and potential reusable AI components with stakeholders: once the AI-ready reference architecture framework is developed, it needs to be piloted in a use case with stakeholders from the Flemish public administration through additional workshops, meetings, and consultations. This validation process must ensure that the framework accurately reflects the needs, requirements, and priorities of public administration entities in Flanders and aligns with their strategic objectives for AI implementation.
i. Assess the need for the monitoring and dissemination of emerging AI technologies and platforms dashboard: assess the needs and requirements for the government dashboard. Insights must inform the design and development of the dashboard, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of its Intended users and provides valuable and relevant information on emerging AI technologies and platforms.
j. Determine the content of the dashboard and provide inputs into the potential format: this involves defining data sources and proposing mechanisms for data collection and dissemination. This must be done to meet users’ specific needs and preferences, ensuring usability and effectiveness in delivering relevant information on emerging AI technologies and platforms. Additionally, actionable suggestions need to be made regarding the concrete use and uptake of the government dashboard during and beyond the project.
k.Testing and refinement of the dashboard: once the initial version of the government dashboard is proposed, it must undergo testing and refinement to ensure its functionality and usability. The goal is to create a user-friendly and reliable tool that effectively monitors and disseminates information about emerging AI technologies and platforms to support decision-making across government agencies during and beyond the project.
l. Assess digital/ AI skill levels for different government profiles across various levels of the Flemish government: identify specific skill requirements and competency levels needed for different roles and responsibilities within the Flemish government and public administration concerning ICT through an inclusive process.
Long Description
General Tasks
m. Engaging substantively as part of the Ethics of AI team in the regular efforts to link its work with the high-level processes related to ethics and governance of AI (including within the UN system, G20 and G7 platforms, GPAI, and others).
n. Contributing to other ongoing work of the AI Ethics Team: contributing to ongoing research and analysis conducted by the secretariat; participating in meetings; presenting the work to different stakeholders; supporting the secretariat with the preparation of different materials such as speeches, presentations, blogs, white papers etc.
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 three 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 in gathering information through methods such as conducting interviews, surveys, and focus groups at the national and/or international level is mandatory.
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) 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
• Specialized training/certification in conducting interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
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 another language, especially Dutch.
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 11-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 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.
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