Consultant for UNESCO Social and Human Sciences

OVERVIEW

The Sciences (SCS) Unit in the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific is mandated to promote and advance scientific knowledge for sustainable development, the ethics of science and technology, and social inclusion, in Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Singapore, and indirectly in Viet Nam and Cambodia, in cooperation with the country offices and the antenna office.

Against a backdrop of rapid modernization and digital transformation, multifaceted social transformation, and increasing social inequalities in South-East Asia, UNESCO seeks to harness the unique power of the scientific interdisciplinarity to develop relevant approaches in supporting evidence-based policy formulation, and promoting rights and ethics in the areas of science and technology.

ASSIGNMENTS

• Under the Ethics of Science and Technology Programme, advise and collaborate with national institutions in Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam in implementing recommendations from the UNESCO country reports on AI Ethics Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM):
  • In Lao PDR, bring expert recommendations and guidance to support the government design and implement its first-ever National AI Strategy, and to co-lead the UNCT Task Force on Digital Transformation, including in developing a joint programme on the Future of Skills;
  • In Thailand, provide technical support in implementing the AI Ethics and Start-ups initiative, as well as the AI and Environmental and Ecosystem Assessment programme with national institutions and private sector, both applying the principles of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI with a strong gender-transformative approach;
  • In Vietnam, provide technical support to the UNESCO Office in Hanoi in implementing the AI Ethics and Start-ups initiative with national institutions and private sector, both applying the principles of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI with a strong gender-transformative approach.
• Under the Management of Social Transformation (MOST) Programme, facilitate the development of a scientific interdisciplinary programme on Promoting the Science-Society Interface for Climate Adaptation in Asia-Pacific, including technological components. The programme consists of leveraging three UNESCO scientific programmes – MOST, Man and Biosphere (MAB), and UNESCO GeoParks (UGG) – to document and analyse communal knowledge pertaining to sustainable development and climate change adaption:
  • Supervise the production of a research paper, using AI tools, documenting interdisciplinary scientific work in natural resources management, climate adaptation vulnerabilities, and deployment of development projects such as sustainable tourism in UNESCO designated sites;
  • Lead and organise consultations meetings with relevant stakeholders and research institutions in support of the situation analysis work undertaken by the research team;
  • Coordinate technical dialogues with UNESCO Field Offices in Asia-Pacific in contribution to the situation analysis, and the design of a regional initiative thereof, responding to the priorities and eligibility criteria of the Adaptation Fund;
  • Lead the design and organisation of a regional UNESCO Conference on Science-Society Interface for Climate Adaptation in Asia-Pacific to discuss and endorse the findings of the research paper and the regional initiative with involved scientists and involved stakeholders.
• Under UNESCO’s regional framework on sustainable and cultural tourism, formulate and facilitate the Sciences Unit’s technical expertise and contribution to the intersectoral programme design, with a particular focus on youth’s intercultural dialogue, and the promotion of cultural heritage for peace and regional integration in a context of digital transformation.

CONTRACT DURATION

The duration of the assignment will be six months, and the Consultant will be based in Bangkok, Thailand

LOCATION AND TRAVEL

• The Individual Specialist will be based in Bangkok, Thailand and work within the premises of the UNESCO Bangkok office.
• The Specialist may be required to travel on mission directly related to programmes or projects implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and received DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties.

DELIVERABLES

The Individual Specialist shall submit the following deliverables to UNESCO:

• 1st Deliverable: Situation analysis of the start-up ecosystem and landscape in Thailand and Vietnam, especially in the field of AI, with specific entry points for integrating the Ethics of AI standards;
• 2nd Deliverable: Situation analysis of Thailand’s plans, visions, and anticipated challenges in terms of investments in data centres, with a particular focus on ethical implications for the environment, AI governance, and the future of skills;
• 3rd Deliverable: Draft programme document on Promoting the Science-Society Interface for Climate Adap