OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Moldova (the Republic of)
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 17/SEP/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 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 UNESCOโs 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 Tรผrkiye. 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 projectโScaling Inclusive, Human Rights-Based Ethical AI Governance (2025)โis 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 Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) is currently being implemented in over 70 countries, including 28 African Countries and 9 SIDs. UNESCO has gathered firsthand evidence through the RAM, and specific RAM Recommendations have influenced the development of national AI policies, such as the Draft Kenya National AI Strategy, published in January 2025. The new action in 2025 will take place in seven additional countries. In these countries, UNESCO will mobilise key national stakeholders โ policymakers, the private sector, civil society, and the academic community โ for a multistakeholder effort to conduct the Readiness Assessment. The aim of this consultancy is to conduct the Readiness Assessment Methodology in one of the seven countries and produce a final country report that reflects the state of the art regarding AI in the country.
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) and under the supervision of the Head of Ethics of AI Unit at UNESCO Headquarters. The consultant will lead the development of research and analytical outputs towards the production of a policy-oriented country report to be aligned with and feed into the national AI policy timelines/priorities. The Report will be based on the evidence gained through the deployment of UNESCOโs AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and the key outcomes of the broad national consultations.
The outputs and activities the Consultant will engage in are:
Facilitating the work of a multidisciplinary national steering committee that will oversee the project implementation from the governmentโs side. This should include identification of the key stakeholders to be engaged for data collection purposes. Conducting the RAM questionnaire, 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. To this end, lead in data collection, data curation and analysis, ensuring a high level of quality. The Consultant will proactively engage with national stakeholders and ensure the alignment of the country's activities and outputs with the global RAM implementation by UNESCO. Preparing a diagnostic report based on the outcomes of the RAM questionnaire. Organizing broad-based multistakeholder national consultations to present the results of the readiness assessment and to facilitate discussions leading to the identification of needs, concerns, and policy priorities for government, civil society, academia and the private sector. Drafting the final policy-oriented RAM country report (in English), based on the outcomes of the RAM data collection and multistakeholder national consultations. This report may be complementary to the existing national AI strategy or serve as the blueprint for reviewing/upgrading/consolidating such a strategy, and will feature recommendations concerning the regulatory and other policy reforms, institutional design, and capacity-building programmes needed for effective and responsible 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. The report should follow the format which will be provided by UNESCO, and should include qualitative and quantitative information, relevant data visualisations, examples of good practices, highlights, etc. Facilitating and aligning the project activities with the broader adoption of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI to ensure coherence and integration with Country-level AI strategy and policy activities. Participating in the high-level National Forum on AI to showcase the outcome of the project.
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.
DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME
Month 1, September 30th, 2025
Engage with various stakeholders to co-produce a timeline for the delivery of the RAM deployment and its outputs. Engage a key point of contact from the RAM expert team to identify up to 5 venues for consultation workshops and two key events based on a joint agreement on the location of cities where these events would occur. The key events include: Consultation workshops across three cities and up to 5 workshops between these cities. Kick-off aimed between 2ndโ3rd Month 2025 (working with governmental focal points and UNESCO to finalise the dates). RAM country report launch event at the end of the 4th month. Lead on arranging logistics such as building a consultation participantsโ list and invitee list for key events, online communication with stakeholders and requirements such as catering and technical setup (video recording, display screens, etc.) as needed and including translation services where needed. Lead in identifying and engaging local academic, research, or similar institutions to act as consultation workshop partners and aiming to secure in-kind contributions, such as venue spaces for hosting and the expertise of personnel in conducting workshops. This includes supporting the running of breakout groups, recording notes, and assisting in workshop activities. Support UNESCO liaise with the local actors and facilitate contractual arrangements related to consultations and other events. Social network post to announce the launch of the RAM process.
Month 2, by October 31st, 2025
Diagnostic Report of the Countryโs readiness presenting and contextualising the data gathered from conducting UNESCOโs AI Readiness Assessment Methodology questionnaire. Coordinate logistics with government and UNESCO HQ contacts for the kick-off event. Material for the kick-off event (speeches, TPs, social network posts, etc.).
Month 3, by November 28th, 2025
Month 4, by December 26th, 2025
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Masterโs 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
A minimum of five years of professional experience on the ethical, legal, social and governance issues of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies at the national and/or international level. 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. 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 UNESCOโs AI Readiness Assessment Methodology and the ability to translate lessons learned and good practices into practical guidance for policymakers. Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely and to produce high-quality policy-oriented analysis and synthesis documents, especially to convey complex legislation to a diverse audience. Proven ability to demonstrate excellent project knowledge management skills. Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment, and to work effectively under tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
Languages
Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English. Knowledge of Romanian would be an asset.APPLICATION PROCESS
The duration of the contract is until December 31st, 2025 with a monthly payment.
The consultant should either be based in the implementation country or travel there during the project to fully participate in national processes.
An up-to-date CV must be submitted instead of the Employment History form (Word file) to the โMy Employment History Form / My Documentsโ 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
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 an 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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