OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Montevideo

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-04-2024

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 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 seeking senior experts to oversee the implementation of the project in Peru 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 authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), under the 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 Montevideo.

Long Description

Scope of the Work

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. The lead expert will be responsible for:

1. 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 Mitic and Conacyt.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Drafting the final policy-oriented country report presenting the findings of the RAM questionnaire, to inform the national AI strategy. 
6. Ensuring editing, and layout of the final report in Spanish and assisting in the accuracy of the translation, editing and layout of the final report in the English language version.
7. Participating in the high-level National Forum on AI to showcase the outcome of the project, which will be organized by UNESCO.
8. Ensuring overall coordination with the UNESCO Montevideo Office the national stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders involved throughout the RAM processes.

Deliverables and timeframe:

1. By the end of 2nd Month: Diagnostic Report of the Country’s readiness following UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology
2. By the end of 3rd Month: Synthesis report on the key outputs from the multistakeholder national consultations in the diagnostic report.
3. Final Deliverable: Policy-oriented Country Report with key recommendations on policies/approaches needed in the country on the ethical governance of AI

Application process:

Interested candidates should send: CV together with the requirements below in one file.

• • A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.
  • A written proposal comprising:
    • An approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference.
    • A timeframe proposed to achieve the tasks.
    • List and CVs of associated experts that will be involved in the process on specific aspects, if needed.
    • The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• 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 10 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 Spanish and English.

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COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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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