OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Malaysia

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) : 03-July-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO is inviting written proposals for the work assignment described below:
The written proposal includes:
1.    A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment
2.    A written proposal comprising:
a.    An approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference
b.    A timeframe proposed to achieve the tasks
c.    List and CVs of associated experts that will be involved in the process on specific aspects, if needed
d.    The amount to be charged for the assignment should be quoted in US dollars. Please identify any travel costs separately.

Your proposal should be submitted by e-mail no later than 3 July 2024. E-mails proposals and any supporting documents must be in ENGLISH and should not exceed 5MB. 
The e-mail addresses for submission: recruitment.jakarta@unesco.org & shs.jak@unesco.org

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the TOR are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. Proposals deemed suitable in accordance to the TOR, UNESCO shall select based on Organisation best value for money.

Long Description

BACKGROUND
In November 2021, 194 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 European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (INTPA) with Innovative Tools initiative, to assist UNESCO’s Member States in implementing UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (UNESCO Recommendation) by deploying the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). 

UNESCO is seeking senior experts to oversee the implementation of the project in Malaysia, 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 programmatic direction and authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS) and the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Jakarta, in 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 Jakarta.

Candidates may team up to submit their joint applications for this consultancy.
 

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 & 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.

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.

Long Description

SCOPE OF 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:

• Facilitating the work of a multidisciplinary national steering committee that will oversee the deployment of the RAM from the government’s side.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Drafting the final policy-oriented country report presenting the findings of the RAM questionnaire, 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/roadmap where one does not exist or updating it, and will feature recommendations concerning the regulatory and other policy reforms, institutional design, and capacity-building programmes needed for effective and responsible 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. The report should follow the format which will be provided by the Programme Specialist, and should include qualitative and quantitative information, relevant data visualisations, examples of good practices, highlights, etc. 
• Ensuring editing, and layout of the final report in English and assisting in the accuracy of the translation, editing and layout of the final report in other local languages as necessary. 
• Participating in the high-level National Forum on AI to showcase the outcome of the project, which will be organized by UNESCO.
• Ensuring overall coordination with the UNESCO Office in Jakarta the national stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders involved throughout the RAM processes.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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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

1. Very good understanding of the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies.
2. 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.
3. Experiences in undertaking policy review and assessments both qualitatively and quantitatively on topics related to governance of AI or related digital technologies.
4. Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely and to produce high quality policy-oriented analysis and synthesis documents.

LANGUAGES

1. Excellent knowledge of local language and English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION 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:

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

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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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) 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.