Child Protection Innovation Research Fellow

Result of Service The position is located within UNICRI’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in The Hague (‘the Centre’). The Centre was established in 2017 and seeks to advance understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and related technologies vis-a`-vis crime prevention, criminal justice, rule of law and security; to support and assist United Nations Member States in understanding the risks and benefits of these technologies; and to explore their contribution for a future free of violence and crime. The fellow will support the work of the Centre as an Child Protection Innovation Research Fellow, in particular with reference to the project ‘Working with Law Enforcement to Build Capacities for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Combat Online Child Sexual Abuse Material’ – also known as the ‘AI for Safer Children’ initiative. More specifically, the fellow will support the implementation of the project through the performance specific research and analysis on the protection of children’s rights and the role of innovation and new technology in combating child sexual exploitation and abuse online.

Work Location The Hague

Expected duration Full-time (19 working days each month), July – October 2022 with possible extensions, subject to availability of funds and operational necessities

Duties and Responsibilities United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI' s goals are:

• to advance understanding of crime-related problems;
• to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems;
• to support the respect of international instruments and other standards;
• to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance.

Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Contribute to the work of the team to realize foreseen outcomes and outputs and to further developing the existing objectives and activities of the AI for Safer Children initiative through research and analysis.
• Research and analyze trends and developments regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse online, as well as law enforcement and its use of new technologies such as AI, cataloguing and storing relevant resources, and contribute to ensuring the project team is informed.
• Research and analyze related activities of Member States, International Organizations and relevant initiatives of industry partners, cataloguing and storing relevant resources, and contributing to ensuring that the project team is informed.
• Support meetings, training courses, seminars, workshops, awareness-raising and promotional events, including by drafting agendas, identifying speakers, preparing materials and participating during events.
• Support coordination with stakeholders in the law enforcement community, industry, academia, as well as counterparts within the UN System and other International Organizations.
• Assist in preparing reports and other publications, researching and analyzing relevant background documentation as required.

• Any other related research tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international law, international relations or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Experience: Work experience is not required for fellows with a Master’s degree; Work experience in research and/or project or programme management and implementation in the fields of new and emerging technologies, crime prevention, criminal justice or other relevant field is desirable. Experience in working with the United Nations, preferably in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data processing is highly desirable.

Language: For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.