Consultant on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 1

Contract

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**Call for Proposal** --------------------- **OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) / Bioethics and Ethics of Science Section Duty Station: Paris Job Family: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : 8 months (from May 2022 until December 2022) Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 26-APR-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **Overview** ------------ In November 2021, the 41st Session of UNESCO’s General Conference adopted with acclamation the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the first ever global normative instrument in this area. In order to help its Member States implement the Recommendation, UNESCO is developing new initiatives, activities, tools and methodologies mandated by the instrument, in collaboration with its key partners. UNESCO aims to provide strong policy and capacity building support to AI stakeholders – the national and local governments, the academic institutions, the civil society and the private sector, in their efforts to translate the Recommendation and its specific provisions into AI specific laws, regulations, rules and practices. The Recommendation also provides a solid foundation for the entire UN system for a coordinated response to the ethical challenges posed by AI technologies in various fields, with UNESCO playing a leading role in this area. The UNESCO Bioethics and Ethics of Science Section hereby invites qualified individuals to express their interest for the position of a consultant responsible for supporting the Section in its work related to the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, including the elaboration of critical tools and methodologies to understand, measure, monitor and evaluate the impact of AI, and conducting research and analysis on developments, initiatives and policies related to the ethical dimensions of this technology. Long Description ---------------- **A. Terms of Reference** ------------------------- A. **ASSIGNMENT** Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS) and direct supervision from the Chief of Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology Section, the consultant is responsible for providing professional and technical support in the development and application of tools and approaches for the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, including ethical impact assessment and readiness assessment methodology. The incumbent shall carry out the following tasks: 1. Contribute to the development of capacity-building tools and methodologies for the implementation of the Recommendation, including the facilitation of the work of the group of experts, managing the related research and analytical processes, and the finalization of the outputs for deployment in target countries. 2. Conduct research and produce articles and policy briefs on the recent developments, emerging ethical challenges and relevant trends in AI; 3. Elaborate proposals for funding to support the various aspects of the implementation of the Recommendation; 4. Advance the work on AI and environment in the context of the Recommendation and with direct linkages to its Policy Action Area on Environment and Ecosystems. 5. Mapping and managing the existing knowledge and competencies relevant to ethics of artificial intelligence. 6. Provide expert advice on typology of different direct and possible indirect impacts of artificial intelligence on human rights, education, cultural diversity, environment, privacy etc. 7. Identify the most relevant organizations globally with expertise in ethical impact assessment 8. Help to create and animate the new UNESCO community of practitioners in the field of ethics of artificial intelligence. 9. Organize and/or contribute to organization of expert meetings relevant to the ethics of AI. 10. Contribute to the broader understanding of the impacts of artificial intelligence systems on society and humanity. Identify the main megatrends in this respect and advice what measures should be developed in order to mitigate any negative impact. 11. Other activities as required for the success of the work according to the requests from the Chief of Section and ADG. **B. Deliverables** ------------------- - Monthly progress reports on policy briefs, blog posts, funding proposals, and other relevant materials based on conducted research and analysis on the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. - Final report on the tasks completed by the end of the assignment, as well as all files created for the purposes of the assignment. **C. Required Qualifications** ------------------------------ **Education** - Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) or equivalent professional qualifications in artificial intelligence governance, ethics of science and technology, society and technology, law, social and human sciences, political science or relevant fields. **Experience** - At least 5 years of experience in research and analysis; - Good understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or the broader AI ecosystem (i.e. Internet of Things, big data, etc.), and related ethical, legal and social implications; - Experience with intergovernmental organizations would be an asset. **Language skills** - Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of English; - Working knowledge of French will be an asset. **Competencies and skills** - Excellent analytical and drafting skills; - Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and able to exchange information on complex issues; - Strong problem-solving skills; - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multicultural environment with external and internal partners; - Excellent organization and planning skills, including the ability to organize own work priorities and deadlines. Discretion and maturity of judgement are required; - Solid computer skills including advanced knowledge of office software such as Word and Excel. **D. Application procedure** ---------------------------- 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 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; - The amount to be charged 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. Complete the rest of the required sections of the online application form (please make sure to include a list of relevant publications), and submit the application.