Back Project Coordination Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 16-07-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

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. Building on the achievements of previous initiatives in collaboration with the Government of Japan through, this project aims to enhance civil society engagement, expand the implementation of AI readiness assessment methodology (RAM), and strengthen the knowledge sharing across African and SIDS stakeholders.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), and direct supervision of the Head of Ethics of AI Unit, the Project Coordination Consultant will support the delivery of the project Supporting Countries in Building Effective AI Governance through Implementing the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, and leverage complementarities with other projects and initiatives deployed by SHS sector to build the national capacities for the implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

The Project Coordination Consultant shall undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Supporting the coordination and implementation of the project by contributing to activities across its two core pillars:

Long Description

a. Coordinate the implementation of the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in six countries

1. Support the preparation and rollout of national inception workshops, data collection processes, and stakeholder consultations

   1. Ensure close coordination with UNESCO Field Offices, national counterparts, and consultants to facilitate timely and high-quality delivery of RAM country reports

      1. Monitor progress against the project’s Results Framework and contribute to regular reporting

         1. Provide logistical and operational support for RAM-related missions, meetings, and procurement

            b. Support the planning and delivery of two regional knowledge-sharing fora (Africa and SIDS)

            📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

            ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

            1. Lead the planning, agenda design, participant outreach, and documentation for the two regional fora

               1. Coordinate structured peer-learning sessions, good practice exchange, and integration of Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) training elements

                  1. Contribute to visibility and communication efforts

                     1. Support monitoring and evaluation of the fora

                        Long Description

                        2. Drafting policy briefs, blog posts, and other relevant materials based on conducted research and analysis, and contributing to the preparation of interventions in public fora, such as conferences, panels and others;

                        3. Provide advice to the Sector on tools, resources and policies related to the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence, including for the implementation of the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence;

                        4. Support engagement with key stakeholders, including government representatives, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international organizations;

                        5. Contribute to other matters requested by the head of unit.

                        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.

                        REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

                        Education

                     2. 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

                     3. Minimum two (2) years of relevant professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies, at national and/or international level.

                     4. Experience in supporting international projects and coordinating Multistakeholder initiatives.

                     5. 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.

                        Skills and Competencies

                     6. Very good understanding of the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of AI and related digital technologies.
                     7. Good organizational and project management skills.
                  2. Good analytical skills with ability to undertake research including the collection and synthesis of information from various sources.
               2. Excellent written/oral communication skills, ability to prepare and present findings and recommendations on issues clearly and concisely.
            2. Ability to work effectively in a team, maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment, and to work effectively under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
         2. Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software.

            Languages

         3. Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English or French, and a good knowledge of the other.

            DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

            Education

         4. Ph.D. 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

         5. At least one (1) year of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence acquired at the international level.