Consultant – Digital storytelling on the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of expression

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Archived vacancy details

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Issued by: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Vacancy number: VNSECC01611
Vacancy type: Experts/Consultants
Field of expertise: Media Affairs
Number of posts: 1
Duty station: Vienna
Date of issue: 2 March 2021
Deadline for application: 15 March 2021 - 23:59 Central European Time (CET/CEST)
Date of entry on duty: 5 April 2021

Background

		Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of a temporary nature, with an expected duration of approximately 100 working days within the period April – August 2021. The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counterterrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis. The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairmanship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions. Free expression and free media are basic human rights. To ensure compliance with media-freedom commitments agreed upon by participating States, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) was established in December 1997. The function of the Representative is to observe relevant media developments in OSCE participating States with a view to providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression. The Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States. In case of serious problems caused, for instance, by obstruction of media activities and unfavourable working conditions for journalists, the Representative seeks direct contacts with the participating State and other parties involved, assesses the facts and contributes to the resolution of the issue. Another task is to assist participating States by advocating and promoting full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media. Assistance is typically provided in the form of legal analyses of legislation, organizing conferences and roundtables during which best practices are shared and promoted, preparing topical publications and guidebooks on media freedom matters and providing training seminars for media and government officials. The RFoM is looking for a consultant to develop an interactive digital storytelling on algorithmic and AI-based data analysis to support the OSCE RFoM Office in raising awareness in the framework of the project “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Freedom of Expression” (#SAIFE project).

Tasks and Responsibilities

		The consultant will support the implementation of the RFoM Office’s project on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Freedom of Expression” through research and development of an interactive and artistic storytelling website (or other web presence), based on experiments and algorithmic data analysis. Under the guidance of the direct supervisor and #SAIFE project team, the tasks and responsibilities of the consultant will include: Conducting research on algorithmic tracking, its impact on freedom of expression and access to information, and correlation with personality traits; Developing digital and interactive storytelling (concept and implementing tools) to make the abstract topic more tangible and conveying findings in an understandable and compact format; in this context, providing explanations on the complexity of artificial intelligence, data tracking, content dissemination, personality traits, ad targeting, and their impact on freedom of expression, including by conducting dedicated expert interviews; Developing presentable outputs and materials for the project’s activities for raising awareness and promoting knowledge, in particular on algorithmic and AI-based personality detection and its impact on freedom of expression; Compiling, collecting and presenting relevant content for awareness-raising activities, as well as producing audio-visual content for and presenting them at OSCE events and project activities, building on artistic and psychological data experiments and data analysis; Supporting the planning of presentation activities for awareness-raising in the OSCE context, and strategic communication outreach; Communicating and co-operating with relevant stakeholders and external experts contributing to the aim of the awareness-raising activities; Monitoring and analysing developments around algorithmic and AI-based tracking online, its impact on freedom of opinion and expression, and keeping OSCE staff informed; Developing an algorithmic personality assessment simulation application in collaboration with researchers, data analysts, investigative journalists, programmers and UI/UX designers; Creating tools for user experiences to raise awareness of algorithmic personality detection through personal experience, e.g. through technical and narrative interplay of technologies and dialogue frameworks, such as a multi-turn voicebot; Developing tools to showcase individual values online for advertising; Adapting existing tools and information to the OSCE context, including through translation. Using, where possible, AI and machine-learning applications. For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, please see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media.

Necessary Qualifications

		First-level university degree in design, film production, marketing or other related field; A minimum of eight years of work experience at national and/or international level, including in the area of filmmaking and writing; Demonstrated knowledge of tracking of personal data and its impact on freedom of expression; experience in data scraping, data analysis, and related research; Excellent communication skills and previous experience in storytelling, visualization of complex issues, and awareness-raising activities; Experience with audio-visual production, editing and post-production; experience with artistic storytelling and website development beneficial; Thorough understanding of the functioning of the OSCE, as well as the work of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media; Professional fluency in written and oral English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset; Computer literacy; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Ability to work in a team, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds whilst maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Remuneration Package

		Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

How To Apply

		If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies. If you are not a national of a participating State, you must apply by submitting an offline application form which can be found under http://www.osce.org/employment/108714. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model. Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.