Senior Consultant (AI and culture policy analyst)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

 Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 09-JAN-2026

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

Background

UNESCO has a mandate to guide cultural policies that safeguard cultural rights and protect cultural diversity in the face of the structural impact of the digital transformation on societies and the cultural sector in particular.

In the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration, Member States called upon UNESCO to support them in harnessing digital transformation, drawing upon the 2017 Operational Guidelines on the Implementation of the Convention in the Digital Environment and the culture-related provisions of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

Building on this mandate, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025 established AI and Culture as a central focus area, reflecting the growing influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on culture. Preparatory work included the Report of the Independent Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and Culture (CULTAI Report), convened by UNESCO and a global survey on the implementation of the MONDIACULT Declaration, which examined progress on various topics, including digital transformation and AI. The conference featured ministerial debates and side events that examined the opportunities of AI for cultural access, heritage protection and increased visibility of diverse cultural expressions, together with the risks linked to cultural homogenization, erosion of linguistic diversity, the marginalization of minority voices, the lack of fair recognition for creators and unbalanced cultural data governance. These discussions confirmed the need for coherent cultural policies that address the evolving dynamics of AI-driven environments and that empower local communities and cultural professionals.

As part of the CLT/EO, the Special Projects and Partnerships (SPP) unit supports transversal initiatives and special projects in the field of culture by coordinating and monitoring their implementation. This includes cross-sectoral initiatives, such as the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education (2024) and its Implementation guidance (2025), among others. In this context, CLT/EO/SPP supports an integrated approach to MONDIACULT 2025 thematic areas, particularly AI and culture, by strengthening analytical capacities, generating evidence for policy reflection and advancing cooperation across institutions. It further contributes specialised research functions to support UNESCO’s mandate on strategic challenges, especially AI and culture, including the development of analytical tools, policy-relevant evidence and cross-sector coordination mechanisms.

Overview of the Functions of the Post

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture (ADG/CLT) and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator for Special Projects and Partnerships (CLT/EO/SPP), the Consultant will provide senior-level support on MONDIACULT thematic areas, particularly on AI policy and management for the Culture Sector. The role requires advanced research expertise, strong analytical judgement, experience in designing and elaborating knowledge products in collaboration with academic, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders, and the ability to coordinate complex processes across UNESCO entities and external partners.

The Consultant will support the technical follow-up of MONDIACULT 2025 and contribute to the preparatory work towards MONDIACULT 2029. This includes examining how rapid socio-technical change affects cultural rights and governance, analysing institutional and community-level needs and producing forward-looking insights that inform policy development. This work requires consolidating diverse sources of evidence, producing structured analytical outputs and translating research findings into actionable policy contributions.

Long Description

The Consultant will design an internal AI strategy for the Culture Sector and contribute to the preparation of policy guidance for Member States. The work involves reviewing existing evidence, comparing policy approaches across sectors and organisations, analysing Member State priorities and identifying governance gaps related to cultural data, algorithmic distribution systems, institutional accountability, transparency requirements, linguistic diversity, cultural rights and the conditions that shape equitable participation in AI-intensive environments. It also requires the capacity to integrate research, strategic planning and policy analysis in a coherent framework aligned with the MONDIACULT process.

The Consultant will also design and support an AI and Culture community engagement initiative to strengthen cooperation among creators, artists, cultural professionals, civil society, technologists and institutional partners. This requires knowledge of community engagement models, network formation, participatory methodologies and mechanisms to translate community insights into policy-relevant outputs. The role further demands experience in designing multi-stakeholder processes and supporting their translation into evidence-based cultural policy.

Deliverables and Timeframe

Deliverable 1 (03/2026) – Technical contribution to MONDIACULT 2025 follow-up and preparation for MONDIACULT 2029

Research-based analytical contribution supporting the technical follow-up of MONDIACULT 2025, integrating evidence from the ministerial sessions, side events, the digital library and other preparatory work. The deliverable will synthesise these inputs with emerging data from cultural ecosystems, identify priority domains for deeper inquiry and propose a structured approach for monitoring and advancing AI-related cultural policy commitments in preparation for the MONDIACULT 2029 action plan.

Deliverable 2 (05/2026) – Internal Artificial Intelligence strategy for the UNESCO Culture Sector

A practical internal AI strategy for the Culture Sector aligned with the MONDIACULT process and the preparation of the MONDIACULT 2029 action plan. The strategy will build on existing UNESCO documents, policy outcomes and operational initiatives and will incorporate evidence from consultations across Culture Sector entities and other relevant sectors. It will propose culturally rights-based priorities, coordination mechanisms, analytical functions and implementation pathways that guide how the Sector should engage with AI in its programmes, partnerships and support to Member States.

Deliverable 3 (07/2026) – Evidence-based framework and methodological plan for Artificial Intelligence policy guidance

A mixed methods research plan that defines analytical approaches, data collection instruments, literature review and baseline analysis required to produce rigorous policy guidance on AI and culture. It will summarise the key policy areas that require examination, such as the implications of AI for culture and arts education, the conditions that support human creativity and authorship, the impact on heritage protection, cultural rights, linguistic diversity, cultural data practices, algorithmic distribution systems, institutional accountability and the evolving forms of mediation between creators, institutions and audiences, with particular attention to the needs of the Global South.

Deliverable 4 (09/2026) – Analytical and pilot design framework on Artificial Intelligence, culture and arts education

A structured analytical framework and pilot design focused on the role of AI in culture and arts education across formal, non-formal and lifelong learning contexts. The deliverable will define key policy questions, conceptual foundations and design parameters for innovative approaches to culture and arts education in AI shaped environments. It will address issues such as cultural rights in education, human creativity and authorship, skills development, ethical and critical AI literacy, inclusion and access, pedagogical innovation and institutional readiness. The framework will outline a pilot initiative in culture and arts education, including objectives, target groups, learning modalities, implementation steps, resource requirements and indicators for assessing educational quality, relevance and policy uptake. The deliverable will also identify pathways for integrating lessons into national education and cultural policies.

Deliverable 5 (10/2026) – Draft Artificial Intelligence policy guidance document for the cultural and creative ecosystem

A research driven draft guidance document that synthesises evidence generated through the mixed methods research plan and advances preliminary policy orientations for Member States. The draft will integrate analytical findings on cultural rights, institutional readiness, governance gaps, cultural data practices, algorithmic distribution systems, heritage protection, linguistic diversity, creativity and culture and arts education. It will propose structured policy options informed by quantitative and qualitative insights, as well as by inputs generated through the community engagement pilot. The document will outline conceptual frameworks, diagnostic tools and decision-making pathways that can guide cultural governance in AI intensive environments.

Long Description

Deliverable 6 (12/2026) – Implementation support and policy consolidation on Artificial Intelligence, culture and arts education

Technical and analytical support for the implementation and assessment of the pilot initiative on AI, culture and arts education. This deliverable will include coordination support, monitoring of implementation, documentation of pedagogical approaches and synthesis of results. It will analyse the implications of AI for culture and arts education systems, including curriculum design, teacher and educator capacities, institutional partnerships and cross sectoral policy alignment. Based on the findings, the deliverable will propose consolidated policy orientations and practical recommendations to strengthen culture and arts education in AI supported contexts, with attention to creativity, cultural diversity, ethical use of technology and inclusive learning opportunities. The results will feed into broader AI and culture policy guidance and future strategic actions supporting Member States.

Work Location – Partly on site, partly home based

Expected duration – 11 months

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree in disciplines related to culture, policy and/or innovation.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience acquired in the field of policy and innovation including education policy, culture and arts education or related learning systems, of which preferably 5 years at the international level.
• Proven experience in conducting internationally comparative quantitative and qualitative research in the fields of policy and innovation with demonstrated application to education, culture and arts education or skills development contexts.
• Experience coordinating research groups and managing complex analytical processes including AI, innovation, culture and/or education focused research, pilot design or learning oriented initiatives.
• Experience contributing to large scale analytical processes, policy reports or global conferences in multilateral contexts including those addressing education, culture and arts education or lifelong learning.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders including policy makers, researchers, civil society and professional communities as well as educators, cultural institutions and learning practitioners.

Long Description

 Skills and Competencies

• Excellent analytical and drafting skills with the ability to examine complex socio technical issues affecting creativity, heritage, culture and education in AI intensive environments.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to present research findings and policy options on complex topics including AI, culture and education related policy questions.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies with the capacity to design mixed methods studies and translate evidence into policy guidance.
• Strong ability to coordinate multi stakeholder processes and support cooperation across institutional, governmental and community actors including education and cultural systems.
• Proven capacity to synthesise information from diverse sources and produce high quality outputs on innovation and education policy, cultural rights and cultural data governance.
• Experience preparing multidisciplinary policy reports and supporting the development of strategic frameworks aligned with organisational mandates.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage priorities and deliver under tight timelines.
• Ability to work independently and in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

Languages 

• Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced research degree (PhD) in the governance of artificial intelligence, technology, innovation, education policy, culture and arts education, or other related fields.
• Advanced training in research design, socio-technical analysis or related fields.

Work experience

• Experience conducting research and analysis and/or implementing programmes and projects on policy, ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies including applications in education, culture and arts education or skills development.

• Prior experience producing policy-oriented publications for international organizations or government agencies.
• Professional experience in the United Nations system.

Languages 

• Knowledge of another/other UNESCO official language(s).

APPLICATION 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.

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

A written proposal comprising:

• An up-to-date CV;
• A brief technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the assignment in line with the terms of reference
• A competitive fee for the assignment quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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