SHS Individual Consultant
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Field Office
Duty Station: Cairo
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Individual Consultant Contract
Duration of contract :4 months
Recruitment open to : Candidate entitled to live and work in Egypt only.
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18.07.2023
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. AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) is a tool to translate the Recommendation into national institutional and regulatory frameworks and to build a national consensus on the shared vision for AI. In 2023, it is being piloted in selected countries in Africa, SIDS and Latin America Regions. UNESCO is seeking a national expert to undertake the Readiness Assessment in Egypt, including all research and analytical components of its five dimensions, 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 national consultations. The aim of the report will be to identify the gaps in the country’s national AI strategy, other laws and policies, and technical measures, in order 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 Officer in Charge (OIC) of Cairo office, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for SHS. Candidates may team up to submit their joint applications for this consultancy.
Long Description
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 national consultations. More specifically, the expert will be responsible for:
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- Liaising with the Ministry of Information and Communications that will oversee the project implementation from the government’s side.
- Take part in a virtual training on RAM organized by UNESCO (HQ).
- Conduct 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.
- Conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders in government and beyond.
- Preparing diagnostic report based on the outcomes of the RAM exercise.
- Present the results of the readiness assessment in a national consultation meeting and to facilitate discussions leading to the identification of needs, concerns, and policy priorities for the civil society.
- Drafting the final policy-oriented country report which may be complementary to the existing national AI strategy 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.
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.
Long Description
Deliverables and timeline
- Drafting a Diagnostic Report of the Country’s readiness in English following UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology – 30 September 2023.
- Presentation of preliminary findings and recommendations at the national consultation meeting – 30 October 2023.
- Policy-oriented Country Report in English paving the way for policy reform in the country on the ethical governance of AI – 30 November 2023.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Mandatory qualifications:
- A minimum of 5-10 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.
- 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.
- 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 in English.
- Excellent reading and writing skills in both English and Arabic languages
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experiences in producing policy-oriented report or recommendations on Artificial intelligence.
- Experiences with the relevant government agency in the implementing country.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and send to : [email protected] the following documents:
1) CV in English
2) A statement indicating how his/her qualifications and experience relate to the assignment.
A written proposal comprising:
- An approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference.
- Team composition and CVs (if more than one consultant)
- Number of working days
- Estimation of Fees
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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