Coordinator for UNESCO's Global CSO & Academic Institutions Network on AI Ethics and Policy

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) : 04-DEC-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

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 Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, and Türkiye in the first phases and in the ongoing phase in Angola, Djibouti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Moldova, and Oman. 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.

Long Description

The goal of the project—Scaling Inclusive, Human Rights-Based Ethical AI Governance (2025)—which started earlier this year 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.

UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence highlights that multistakeholder collaboration - spanning governments, private sector entities, academics, and civil society organisations (CSOs) - is essential for addressing the complex challenges posed by AI and data-intensive technologies. To widen civil society participation in the global AI ethics landscape, UNESCO launched the Global Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Academic Network on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics and Policy during the 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, on 26 June, 2025. Since then, the Network members have agreed on 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 are now working on concrete outputs to advance the Network’s contribution to global AI ethics and policy discussions. The aim of this consultancy is to coordinate the Network’s activities, support the implementation of subgroup outputs, and advance the long-term expansion of the Network.

Long Description

Overview of the Functions of the Post

The Consultant will work under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), as well as under the direct supervision of the Director of Research, Ethics and Inclusion a.i. and Chief of the Section of Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology, at UNESCO Headquarters. The consultant will:

a) Coordinate the activities of the Network, together with the multistakeholder coordination group, ensuring effective planning, implementation, and regular communication among its members.

b) Support the implementation of the five thematic subgroup outputs by offering operational guidance, fostering collaboration, and monitoring progress to anticipate and address emerging needs.

c) Contribute to the expansion and long-term sustainability of the Network.

The outputs and activities the Consultant will engage in are:

1. Coordinate the activities of the Network, including the multistakeholder coordination group:

• Provide overall coordination for Network activities.
• Lead the preparation and facilitation of meetings, including support materials and logistical arrangements.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with members and keep the mailing list up to date as new members join.
• Establish a feedback process that allows the Network to respond to the evolving needs of civil society organizations and academic institutions.
• Ensure that all Network activities are aligned with UNESCO’s mandate and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

2. Support the implementation of the five thematic subgroup activities:

• Coordinate communication among subgroup members when Secretariat support is required.
• Participate in subgroup discussions and offer guidance for subgroup activity implementation, in collaboration with members of the Ethics of AI Unit.
• Review subgroup outputs and provide substantive, timely feedback.
• Maintain oversight of developments of the subgroups to identify gaps, challenges, or emerging needs.
• Addressing identified needs in close coordination with the Project Coordinator to ensure timely and appropriate support.

3. Expanding the Network and ensuring its long-term longevity.

• Drive the expansion of the Global Network of CSOs and academic institutions’ membership, with special relevance to CSOs and academic institutions from different thematic areas and regions.
• Supporting efforts to secure the resources and partnerships required for the Network’s long-term operation, for example, including the writing of grants.

The consultant may work remotely and shall attend missions in person related to the project implementation. The Secretariat will confirm the specific dates in due course and cover the cost of the missions. 

Deliverables and Timeframe

• Month 1, by 31 January 2026:

Upon submission and approval of a monthly report on activities.

• Month 2, by 28 February 2026:

Upon submission and approval of a monthly report on activities.

• Month 3, by 31 March 2026:

Upon submission and approval of a monthly report on activities.

• Month 4, by 30 April 2026:

Upon submission and approval of a monthly report on activities.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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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 five years of professional experience in AI ethics, governance, and policymaking, particularly in conducting research and producing policy-oriented reports. A PhD can count as work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading multi-stakeholder consultation processes and synthesising diverse inputs into coherent, policy-oriented documents.
• Proven experience in developing and/or revising assessment methodologies, policy tools, or governance frameworks, particularly in the context of AI ethics or digital governance.
• Experience in coordinating international projects, including organising expert groups, managing contributions from multiple stakeholders, and ensuring high-quality deliverables.

Long Description

Skills and competencies

• Very good understanding of artificial intelligence's ethical, legal, social and governance issues and related digital technologies.
• 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, synthesise complex information, and produce clear, concise, and impactful reports or toolkits.
• Excellent organisational 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 organisations or government agencies.

Languages

Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese).

APPLICATION PROCESS

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, each one in a separate page:

• 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 financial proposal should indicate the consultant’s salary expectations in US dollars, quoted on a deliverable basis for the period of the assignment.

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

Please note that the consultant's 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

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