Consultant for Updating the Meta-Analysis of RAMs Report

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) : 12-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.

Through its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), successfully implemented in several countries, UNESCO has gathered firsthand evidence, and specific RAM recommendations have informed the development of national AI policies, such as the Draft Kenya National AI Strategy published in January 2025. Since the RAM was published in 2023 and used worldwide, valuable feedback has been gathered on its content and application. The aim of this consultancy is to integrate newly completed RAM reports into the cross-cutting analysis, identify emerging trends and common challenges in national AI governance, and define a clear methodology that can be easily replicated and expanded as new RAMs are published. As additional RAM reports are finalized, several recurring patterns call for targeted analysis to better understand their implications. The resulting comprehensive analysis will inform decision-makers, researchers, and the broader AI governance community about the main findings of UNESCO’s RAMs and highlight key trends in national approaches to AI governance.

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 direct supervision of the Head of Ethics of AI Unit at UNESCO Headquarters. The consultant will lead the update process of the Meta-Analysis report about the main findings of UNESCO’s RAMs.

The outputs and activities the Consultant will engage in are:

Output 1. Updating the Meta-Analysis of RAMs Report with newly published RAMs:

• Update the Meta-Analysis of RAMs Reports with the RAM reports completed as of January 2026. Revise the findings, trends, and comparative insights accordingly.

• Integrate inputs of the Ethics of AI team as needed and contribute to dissemination, communication and briefing outputs as necessary.

Output 2. Developing a step-by step guide to integrate new RAM reports into the Meta-Analysis.

• Produce a clear and operational methodology to ensure that future RAM reports can be systematically incorporated into the Meta-Analysis by the Ethics of AI team without the need of coding expertise.

Deliverables and Timeframe

Deliverable 1 (02/2026) Step-by-step guide for RAM Meta-Analysis

The Consultant will produce a clear and operational methodology to ensure that future RAM reports can be systematically incorporated into the Meta-Analysis. This guide should serve as an internal reference tool for the Ethics of AI Unit to maintain, update, and expand the Meta-Analysis efficiently and consistently over time.

Deliverable 2 (04/2026) Updated Meta-Analysis of RAM Reports.

The Consultant will update the Meta-Analysis of RAM Report by integrating the newly published RAMs completed as of January 2026 and revise the conclusions and findings accordingly.

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.
• Proven experience in conducting cross-cutting analyses and meta-research on AI policy frameworks, governance strategies, and regulatory approaches at the national or international level.
• Experience utilizing AI-enabled tools, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), for policy research and data analysis.
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder projects, including engagement with policymakers, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society.

Long Description

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.
• Proficiency in research methodologies, particularly in meta-analysis and comparative policy evaluation.
• 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.
• Experience working with AI-assisted research methodologies, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of French.

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.

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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