Consultant for Supporting the Coordination of the McGovern III Project and the Seven RAMs

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 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 31-OCT-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO has the mandate to promote the development of science and technology from an ethical and human rights approach. Under this framework in November 2021, UNESCO developed the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which the 193 Member States adopted by acclamation at the 41st session of its General Conference, and spearheading its implementation by the Member States through innovative tools and methodologies, such as the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and the Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA). Through the application of these tools, UNESCO is changing the business model that drives AI, going beyond principles to develop a range of concrete and practical solutions to ensure fair, inclusive, sustainable and equitable outcomes of AI.

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) has played a pivotal role in supporting UNESCO’s efforts to position ethics as the cornerstone of building AI governance. Through the implementation of two projects (2023 and 2024), UNESCO has facilitated a multistakeholder process of evidence gathering through national consultation and the deployment of RAM in Brazil, Chile, Morocco and Senegal in the first phase and in the ongoing phase in Argentina, India, Indonesia, Tanzania and Türkiye. The partnership also advances key knowledge products that will further reinforce capacity-building efforts on the ground and empower stakeholders to navigate the complex AI landscape.

The goal of the new project - Scaling Inclusive, Human Rights-Based Ethical AI Governance (2025) - is to consolidate the results delivered to date, build on the achievements made, expand the reach and depth of diagnostic and policy development efforts, and deploy globally the tools, methodologies, knowledge and experiences from the recent efforts of building AI governance ecosystem. The actions will be organised around three main pillars/expected outcomes: a. empowering civil society, b. expanding and deepening engagement with countries for ethics of AI through RAMs and other tools; c. producing new knowledge on AI governance.

Long Description

The aim of this consultancy is to provide transversal support across all key outputs of UNESCO’s McGovern III project on ethical AI governance. This includes contributing to the coordination and implementation of activities related to UNESCO’s Global Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Academic Network on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Policy, supporting the execution of the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in seven new countries, and assisting in the development of analytical knowledge products such as the Meta-Analysis of RAMs, the comprehensive RAM Revision, and the Nature Positive AI Toolkit. The consultant will also provide input on public communications, contribute to stakeholder engagement, and ensure alignment across the project’s core pillars to help advance the implementation of the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

The Consultant will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS) and under the direct supervision of the Head of Ethics of AI Unit at UNESCO Headquarters.

Description

Under the supervision of the Head of the Ethics of AI Unit, the consultant will be responsible for:

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

a) UNESCO’s Global Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Academic Network on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Policy:

• Contribute to the coordination and expansion of the Network to widen civil society participation in the global AI ethics landscape. 
• Provide technical and coordination support to the Network’s five thematic subgroups — IP and Culture, Empowering Citizens and Civil Society in AI Governance, International AI Red Lines, AI in the Public Sector, and Environment and Ecosystems— and actively participate in discussions and implementation of agreed activities.

b) Enhancing and Broadening the Impact of UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM):

• Contribute to the implementation of RAM in seven new countries, ensuring alignment with national policy needs.
• Contribute to organizing national stakeholder consultations and targeted capacity-building activities to support policy development.
• Provide logistical and substantive support for high-level events showcasing findings and promoting peer learning.
• Take part in follow-up efforts with countries that have previously conducted RAM, ensuring the adoption of policy recommendations.

c) Producing Analytical Knowledge Products:

• Contribute to the final phase of the meta-analysis of RAMs, consolidating findings to identify key governance trends and best practices.
• Provide inputs for the completion of deep-dive reports on critical AI governance challenges, including gender equality and environmental impact, and contribute to the implementation of follow-up activities.
• Contribute to the final revision of the RAM and take part in subsequent activities related to its implementation.

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

3. Providing advice and support 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. Supporting stakeholder engagement, including coordination with government representatives, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international organizations.

5. Performing other tasks as requested by the Head of the Ethics of AI Unit, in alignment with project priorities and timelines.

The consultant shall attend missions in person related to the project implementation. The exact dates are to be confirmed by the Secretariat in due course.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

Deliverables and Timeframe 

• Month 1, by 15th December 2025: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

• Month 2, by 15th January 2026: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

• Month 3, by 15th February 2026: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

• Month 4, by 15th March 2026: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

• Month 5, by 15th April 2026: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

• Month 5.5, by 30th April 2026: Submit a monthly report to update progress on the project.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

-

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• University degree in the governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence or digital technologies, law and technology, computer science, data science, computational social science, or other related fields.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in AI ethics, governance, and policymaking, particularly in conducting research and producing policy-oriented reports.
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder projects, including engagement with policymakers, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society.
• 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.
•  A PhD can count as work experience.

Skills and competencies

• Very good understanding of artificial intelligence's ethical, legal, social and governance issues and related digital technologies.
• Ability to synthesize and analyze large volumes of data and generate actionable insights for policymakers.
• Excellent knowledge about the dynamics of governance of AI, including policies, legislative and regulatory frameworks, institutional mechanisms, organisational structures and processes, and initiatives by different stakeholders in this field. This includes broad familiarity with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, as well as the ability to translate lessons learned and good practices into practical guidance for policymakers.
• Proven ability to conduct high-quality policy research, synthesize complex information, and produce clear, concise, and impactful reports or toolkits.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple interrelated deliverables within tight deadlines.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (PhD) in the governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence or digital technologies, law and technology, computer science, data science, computational social science, or other related fields.

Work Experience

• Experience conducting research and analysis and/or implementing programmes/projects on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies is strongly desirable.
• Prior experience producing policy-oriented publications for international organizations or government agencies.

Languages

Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of French.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The consultant should be based in Paris.

An up-to-date CV must be submitted instead of the Employment History form (Word file) to the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application; The candidate must add the following elements at the end of the file:

A one-page statement laying out how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment and explaining how they would approach the work.

The salary expectations for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars on a monthly basis for a 5-month period (full-time working).

Only applications with the above-requested information can be considered.

Please note that the consultant salary expectations must be expressed in gross amounts. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties in accordance with local laws. UNESCO will not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which the Individual Specialist may be liable in respect of any payments made to him/her under the terms of this contract.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Footer