Innovation and Technology Policy Expert

Result of Service The Consultant, Innovation and Technology Policy Expert, is envisaged to support UNICRI with reference to the work of its Centre for AI and Robotics on the project ‘Toolkit for Responsible Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Law Enforcement’. The Consultant will support the project team on the implementation of the project, in particular in terms of the elaboration of resources for the toolkit focused on the implementation of responsible AI within a law enforcement context and how to assess readiness to implement it, ensuring that these resources and all others within the toolkit reflects the latest trends and developments in the field of responsible AI.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration Max. 20 working days (5 working days per month)

Duties and Responsibilities 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.

In 2021, UNICRI, through its Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, launched the project ‘Toolkit for Responsible Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Law Enforcement’. The project seeks to fill gaps in terms of guidance and support for law enforcement agencies on the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) through the creation of a toolkit on responsible AI innovation. As a result of the project, law enforcement agencies aiming to develop or already developing AI tools or seeking to procure AI tools from third parties will obtain the necessary knowledge and understanding to enable them to tap into the positive potential of AI. At the same time, by providing overarching principles, requirements and recommendations that promote the lawful and trustworthy use of AI, it is expected that the project will contribute to preventing possible related risks associated with the use of AI and that law enforcement will be in a position to make more informed decisions and deploy AI responsibly.

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

• Prepare a draft of an organizational roadmap for implementing responsible AI within the context of a law enforcement agency to be included as a resource within the toolkit.
• Prepare a draft of organizational readiness assessment questionnaire for responsible AI as a complement to the organizational roadmap to be included as a resource within the toolkit.
• Review drafts of the other resources contained within the toolkit to ensure alignment with the organizational roadmap and the organizational readinesss assessment questionnaire and to ensure that these resources reflect the latest trends and developments in terms of responsible AI.
• Liaise with the UNICRI team responsible for the development of the toolkit, as well as the toolkit core group of experts established by UNICRI and INTERPOL, which is comprised of law enforcement, academia, private sector and civil society, in order to collect insights and feedback to shape the toolkit.
• Interact with other relevant stakeholders for the toolkit, including academia, private sector, civil society, as well as INTERPOL and other relevant entities within the United Nations system, such as the United Nations Police and other international organizations.

• Provide substantive technical support in the preparation and during virtual discussion rooms organized by UNICRI and INTERPOL, as well as expert consultations with key stakeholders, the 4th INTERPOL-UNICRI Global Meeting on AI for Law Enforcement and other meetings organized under the umbrella of the development and promotion of the toolkit.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, international relations, public policy, sociology or other relevant fields is required. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience on responsible AI or the ethics, governance or policies concerning digital technologies is required. Experience with the development of frameworks, guidelines, policy papers, strategies, codes of conduct or best practice documents concerning responsible or ethical AI and machine learning is required. Experience working with law enforcement or in the context of crime prevention is required. Language: For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other official languages of the United Nations is considered an asset.

  Additional Information 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.

  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.