Development of National framework of AI Ethics in Mauritania

Result of Service

• Diagnostic report summarizing key findings and stakeholder inputs. • Annotated outline and draft framework of the AI code of ethics. • Final version of the framework of the AI code of ethics. • Presentation slides and summary brief. • Implementation advisory report. The report prepared should be in Arabic and in electronic format and should not be less than 30 pages. A 2 to 4 pages executive summary of the report is requested. The completed parts should be edited and saved in MS-Word (*.docx file) or an alternate compatible format. Note that PDF format will not be accepted. It should include a table of contents to be automatically updated followed by a list of all tables and figures. The various parts should be submitted in electronic form and sent to the email of the designated focal point. Attention is kindly drawn to the need to ensure that the final draft of the outputs be thoroughly reviewed prior to submission and to indicate the sources of tables and diagrams. References to reports and other substantive material should be clearly indicated within the text and noted at the end. It is also essential to send, with the completed output, photocopies or scans of at least the first page of books, reports and bulletins, used as reference material as well as copies of the pages quoted. The content of the generated document shall be the sole property of ESCWA. Their contents cannot and must not be presented, discussed or published without the express authorization of ESCWA. The consultant shall keep in mind that UN-ESCWA routinely checks all deliverables for plagiarism using readily available electronic tools. All previously published content, even if written by the selected consultant, must be clearly referenced where required within the text and end-noted at the end of the study. The report submitted by the consultant must not contain quoted, previously published text equalling more than 20 per cent of the total number of pages. The consultant shall not publish or announce or reveal the content of the report, partly or entirely, on social media or any other public channel, without ESCWA and MTNMA permission. The content of the generated document shall be the sole property of ESCWA.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

16 weeks

Duties and Responsibilities

GENERAL SCOPE Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies and societies worldwide, offering significant opportunities to accelerate progress in areas such as healthcare, education, public services, and sustainable development. At the same time, the United Nations system recognizes that AI has profound and far reaching impacts on human lives, economies, and ecosystems, influencing decision making, social interactions, and access to opportunities. While AI can serve as a powerful enabler for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it also presents significant risks, including bias and discrimination, threats to human rights and privacy, environmental costs, and the potential to exacerbate existing digital and socioeconomic inequalities if not properly governed. In response to these challenges, UNESCO adopted in 2021 the first global normative instrument on AI ethics, which underscores that the protection of human rights and human dignity must remain at the core of AI systems throughout their lifecycle . The Recommendation highlights the importance of principles such as transparency, accountability, fairness, inclusiveness, and human oversight to ensure that AI technologies are trustworthy and aligned with human centered values. At the global level, the establishment of robust AI ethics frameworks is increasingly seen as a prerequisite for building trust in emerging technologies, enabling international cooperation, and ensuring that innovation contributes to inclusive and sustainable development. International organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), emphasize that ethical governance, standards, and multistakeholder collaboration are essential to harness AI’s transformative potential across sectors such as health, agriculture, and disaster management, while mitigating associated risks and ensuring equitable access. In this context, ethical AI frameworks are not only regulatory tools but also strategic enablers for innovation, competitiveness, and social cohesion at the global level . In the Arab region, AI is recognized by UN-ESCWA as a defining megatrend with the potential to drive economic diversification, enhance public service delivery, and create new employment and skills opportunities across key sectors. The development of context specific, inclusive, and responsible AI governance frameworks is critical to ensure that AI adoption aligns with regional values, strengthens social inclusion, and supports progress towards national development priorities and the SDGs. For Mauritania, developing a national AI ethics framework is a strategic priority to guide the responsible adoption and use of AI technologies in line with international standards and best practices. Such a framework will play a critical role in safeguarding fundamental rights, strengthening public trust in digital transformation, and enhancing institutional capacity for AI governance. It will also provide a foundation for fostering innovation, attracting investment, and ensuring that AI applications contribute to inclusive economic growth, improved public service delivery, and sustainable socio economic development. UN-ESCWA, through its technical cooperation program, is committed to provide technical assistance to its member states to boost national efforts towards the achievement of the 2030 Development Agenda. Recently, the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Admin (MTNMA) in Mauritania requested UN-ESCWA’s assistance in developing the national framework of AI Ethics. The provision of this advisory service is the subject of these terms of reference. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The consultant shall propose to the designated ESCWA focal point a detailed version of the national framework for the AI code of ethics in Mauritania. The expert will be responsible for the following tasks, organized into four phases: Phase 1: Review and Diagnostic • Review existing national digital documents and the existing frameworks in Mauritania, related to digital transformation, innovation, and AI; • Map relevant international best practices in AI ethics (at least 2 selected international and 2 regional cases); • Identify and conduct stakeholder consultations with MTNMA staff and key national actors, and with the national committee related to this topic, and summarize for each meeting/interview the points discussed, their remarks, observations and proposals; • Contribute to sectoral workshops to discuss needs and priorities, if needed; Phase 2: Development and Drafting • Prepare an outline and annotated structure for the framework for AI code of ethics. • Draft the framework incorporating international standards and national priorities and include practical and scalable compliance mechanisms for monitoring adherence to the Code, and roles and responsibilities for across government and industry; • Ensure alignment with Mauritania’s AI strategy and relevant AI Ethics global and regional Ethics frameworks. Phase 3: Consultation and Finalization • Present draft framework of the AI code of ethics to MTNMA and stakeholders for feedback. • Contribute to national workshop (physically or remotely) and capture the main comments and discussions. • Revise and finalize the draft framework based on inputs received. • Prepare a short presentation and briefing note summarizing key elements. Phase 4: Advisory Implementation • Provide recommendations on dissemination, awareness-raising, and training plans. ESCWA promotes gender equality and integration of youth through its publications and therefore the consultant should pay attention, with the help of ESCWA staff, to gender considerations and youth dimension throughout the research work to ensure that the report gives equal attention to the needs of both men and women, as well as girls and boys. Writing should use gender-sensitive language.

Qualifications/special skills

A masters degree or equivalent in AI, ICT, technology, engineering, computer science, public administration, ethics, or a related field is required. A Ph.D. degree is desired. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of experience including 5 years in the domain of digital technologies is required. Previous experience in the development of national policies and plans is required. Proven experience in public administration, governance or ethical frameworks is required. Previous experience in developing AI ethics frameworks is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is required; Knowledge of the English or French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.