Lead expert for the preparation of AI readiness country report

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) Duty Station: \[\[Senegal\]\] 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) : 12-APR-2023 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Lead expert for the preparation of AI readiness country report** **Beneficiary Country: Senegal** **1. 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 partnering with McGovern Foundation on Harnessing the Power of AI to Promote Equal Opportunities in the Digital World initiative, to translate the Recommendation into national institutional and regulatory frameworks and to build a national consensus on the shared vision for AI. At the initial stage, the project will be piloted in four countries: Chile, Mexico, Morocco and Senegal, within a nine-month period. UNESCO is seeking senior experts to oversee the implementation of the project in Morocco, 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), and direct supervision of the Chief of Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology Section and the Programme Specialist in the responsible field office of UNESCO. Candidates may team up to submit their joint applications for this consultancy. **2. 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. More specifically, the lead expert will be responsible for: a. Facilitating the work of a multidisciplinary national steering committee that will oversee the project implementation from the government’s side. b. Facilitating the deployment of RAM, 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. c. Preparing diagnostic report based on the outcomes of the RAM exercise. d. Participating as an expert in the broad-based 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 the civil society. e. Drafting the final policy-oriented country report to inform the national AI strategy. Depending on the country context, this report may be complementary to the existing national AI strategy or serve as the blueprint for establishing such a strategy where one does not exist, and will feature recommendations concerning the regulatory and other policy reforms needed for an effective governance of AI in the country, based on the short- and long-term priorities identified, and using the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence as an overall framework. f. Participating in the high-level National Forum on AI to showcase the outcome of the project. Long Description ---------------- **Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM)** A critical initial stage in the implementation of the Recommendation is the deployment of RAM, as mandated by the Recommendation, to assist Member States in identifying their status at specific moments of their readiness trajectory along a continuum of dimensions (legal/regulatory, social/cultural, technical/infrastructural, economic and scientific/educational). The RAM is a macro level instrument that will help countries understand where they stand on the scale of preparedness to implement AI ethically and responsibly for all their citizens, highlighting what institutional and regulatory changes will be needed. Furthermore, the output of the RAM will also help UNESCO tailor the policy reform and institutional capacity building efforts to the needs of different countries. This will ensure that the country has in place human capacity, policies, and regulations to address the challenges brought by AI such as reinforcing traditional biases and ensure that people and their interest are always at the centre of AI development. *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. By the end of 6th Month: Policy-oriented Country Report paying the way for policy reform in the country on the ethical governance of AI. **Duty Station** The lead expert is expected to be based in the implementation country, or to travel to the country during the project period as required for the full engagement in the national processes. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **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 ten 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 English and French. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- 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 6-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. **Footer** ---------- 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](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) 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.