Project Associate – AI and Emerging Technologies

HD’s AI and Emerging Technologies (AIET) programme aims to support and facilitate the adoption of effective international measures to address the risks posed by AI and other technologies for international security, stability and conflict dynamics, particularly in relation to military applications of AI. The programme does this through convening dialogue across and within regions, bilateral outreach, and close engagement with multilateral initiatives on the governance of AI in the military and security domains. The AIET programme is expanding its dialogue work on military AI in 2025, and is also developing a new thematic focus within HD on outer space security.

The Project Associate will support the operations and key activities of the AIET programme, which is housed within HD’s Digital Conflict Directorate. Alongside the AIET programme, the Digital Conflict Directorate includes programmes on cyber mediation and social media and disinformation. It serves as a specialised unit within HD working to reduce the conflict risks posed by new technologies through dialogue and mediation.

Key responsibilities are:

• Support the planning, preparation and conduct of consultations, meetings and dialogues with government officials and experts from across regions.
• Support project scoping and development, including mapping issues, stakeholders and key relationships against AIET programme objectives, and drafting concept notes.
• Monitor developments, events and policy debates relevant to AIET’s work.
• Conduct background research in support of specific projects.
• Support on donor engagement (e.g. drafting project proposals, briefings, and reports).
• Support on monitoring and evaluation, capturing lessons learnt from across the programme, and liaising with HD’s Mediation Support Unit (MESU).
• Support AIET team coordination and work-planning (e.g. keeping abreast of programme work, note-taking during regular meetings, managing documentation, etc.)

The successful candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Minimum of 3-4 years’ experience in a similar function in peace and conflict, disarmament, diplomacy, technology policy or a related area.
• Experience working in diplomacy and/or policy on AI and emerging technologies.
• Relevant university degree (e.g. peace and conflict studies, international relations, technology policy or related field), and a commitment to conflict resolution, peacemaking and related humanitarian issues.
• The ideal candidate will be politically astute, with experience in varied diplomatic settings, well organised, and a good communicator with strong analytical skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely in English.
• Other languages are an asset.

The position is remote, with a location in Central European Time, or a nearby time-zone, preferred, and collaborate with Geneva-based colleagues. This position requires travel.

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV along with a short cover letter in a single PDF file to hrgeneva@hdcentre.org by 12 January 2025 Please indicate “Project Associate AIET” in the subject line of your e-mail.

HD promotes equal opportunities in employment.