Consultant for Policy Research Support for AI Ready Flemish Public Administration Project

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 operating 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 Digital Flanders Agency has launched an Artificial Intelligence Expertise Center (AI EC) ‎‎tasked with enhancing and ‎guiding the adoption of AI across Flemish public administrations. ‎‎The capacity and capability of the AI EC need to be ‎strengthened to empower it to fulfill its ‎‎coordination role among Flemish public administrations in the facilitation and ‎implementation ‎‎of AI projects.

To this end, UNESCO is implementing the AI-Ready Flemish Public Administration project, funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) through the EU's Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The project aims to foster Flemish public administrations' AI-readiness and increase the adoption of AI across the Flemish public administrations in a safe, robust, trustworthy, and ethical manner. Through its three pillars, the project focuses on strengthening: (i) institutional capacity for AI governance; (ii) technical capacity for AI projects; and (iii) human capacity for AI awareness, literacy, and skills within the Flemish public administrations.

The project operates through close collaboration with Digital Flanders' AI Expertise Centre, whose mandate is to support the 90+ Flemish public administration entities through a 1-to-many approach. Flanders is also a world-first in implementing UNESCO's RAM at the sub-national level, mapping the AI policy and governance landscape and identifying priority areas for ethical AI governance across six dimensions: ethical governance, legal, socio-cultural, scientific, economic, and technical.

Aim of this consultancy

The aim of this consultancy is to provide junior-level policy research support to the AI-Ready Flemish Public Administration project in support of the UNESCO Ethics of AI Team. The consultant will contribute to the revision and publication of the UNESCO Readiness Assessment Methodology, event management, and research support activities.

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

The consultant may work remotely with occassional missions to Brussels.

Intended Outcomes

The Consultancy is designed to support the following outcomes:

• The UNESCO Readiness Assessment Methodology is revised, updated, and prepared for publication in close collaboration with the project team.
• Project events are effectively supported through timely preparation, coordination, and follow-up, ensuring smooth delivery.
• The UNESCO Ethics of AI Unit’s research capacity is strengthened through targeted policy research support, including literature reviews, background notes, and stakeholder mapping.
• Contribute to the preparation of materials for the Global Forum on the Ethics of AI and other project milestones.

Overview of Functions

The outputs and activities the Consultant will engage in are:

Output 1 - Supporting the Revision and Publication of the UNESCO Readiness Assessment Methodology

The Consultant will provide structured support to the revision and publication process of the UNESCO Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). This includes:

• Reviewing existing RAM documentation and identifying areas requiring revision, clarification, or updating in light of recent implementation experience.
• Drafting and editing sections of the RAM under the guidance of the Project Lead, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with UNESCO’s editorial standards.
• Provide help in coordinating internal feedback rounds, tracking comments and revisions, and consolidating inputs from team members and stakeholders.
• Supporting the preparation of the RAM for publication, including formatting, cross-referencing, and liaising with relevant teams as needed.

Output 2 - Event Management Support

The Consultant will support the logistical and substantive preparation of project events, including workshops, stakeholder consultations, and conference contributions. This includes:

• Contributing to the planning and coordination of in-person and online events, including scheduling, invitations, agenda preparation, and venue or platform logistics.
• Preparing background documents, speaker briefings, and event materials in collaboration with the project team.
• Providing on-site or virtual support during events, including rapporteuring, note-taking, and follow-up action tracking.
• Supporting the preparation of contributions to the Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, scheduled for September 2026 pending Member State confirmation.
• Drafting post-event summaries and reports for internal and external audiences.

Output 3 - Research Support

The Consultant will provide research support to the Ethics of AI Unit on topics relevant to the project. This includes:

• Supporting desk-based literature reviews and policy landscape analyses on AI governance, ethical AI implementation, and related topics.
• Drafting background notes, annotated bibliographies, and briefing documents for the project team.
• Supporting stakeholder mapping exercises, including identifying relevant actors, initiatives, and frameworks at the national and international level.
• Contributing to the preparation of policy-oriented knowledge products, including summaries, factsheets, and web content.
• Monitoring relevant policy and regulatory developments in the field of AI governance and flagging key updates for the attention of the project team.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework [link removed].

Required qualifications

Education

• University degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in governance of artificial intelligence, ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence or digital technologies, science and technology studies, law and technology, public administration, political science, or other related fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of professional or academic experience in policy research, digital governance, or a related field. Recent graduates with strong academic research experience are encouraged to apply.

Skills and competencies

• Good understanding of artificial intelligence’s ethical, legal, social, and governance issues.
• Ability to conduct policy research and produce clear, concise written summaries and background documents.
• Strong organisational skills and capacity to support event planning and coordination.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and maintain good working relations within a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work under guidance and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.

Desirable qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.

Work Experience

• Prior experience in an international or multilateral organisation.
• Experience supporting EU-funded projects or working within a European public administration context.
• Familiarity with UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology or the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
• 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.
• Experience with asynchronous communication and remote-first teams.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of Dutch (spoken and written) is considered highly desireable.

1.  An up-to-date CV must be submitted to the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application.

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.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website [link removed]. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.