Result of Service

The purpose of the consultancy is to undertake a rapid assessment of the current and potential use of AI technologies within the Papua New Guinea judicial sector and identify opportunities, risks and capacity-building needs. The research should focus on issues including:

Awareness and understanding of AI technologies among judges, magistrates and judicial officers;
Existing and potential use cases for AI in legal research, drafting, case management, translation and administrative functions;
Benefits and efficiency gains associated with AI adoption;
Risks related to judicial independence, confidentiality, security, transparency, bias and accountability;
Challenges arising from AI-generated information, synthetic content and misinformation that may affect judicial proceedings;
Capacity, governance and ethical considerations for the responsible use of AI within courts;
Future policy and institutional measures required to safeguard public confidence and judicial integrity. stakeholders, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 1. Conduct a desk review of relevant international and regional literature, policies, judicial guidance, and emerging practices concerning AI and the judiciary; 2. Develop a research methodology and data collection tools; 3. Design and administer a survey of judicial officers and court personnel; 4. Conduct key informant interviews and consultations with representatives of: o The judiciary; o Legal practitioners; o Academic institutions; o Technology experts; o Judicial training institutions; o Relevant government stakeholders; 5. Analyse findings and identify emerging opportunities, risks and capacity needs; 6. Prepare recommendations for the responsible governance and use of AI within the judiciary; 7. Present preliminary findings to PNGCJE and UNODC stakeholders; 8. Finalize all outputs incorporating feedback received. 9. Preparation of a short leadership article (1,500-3,000 words) for publication through the Global Judicial Integrity Network (GJIN) on the opportunities and risks of AI in the Papua New Guinea judicial context.

Work Location

Home based with travel to Papua New Guinea

Expected duration

18/09/2026-10/12/26

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), seeks to engage a consultant to undertake a research study examining the opportunities, risks and implications of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the judiciary in Papua New Guinea. The initiative aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on judicial integrity, independence, resilience and digital transformation within the justice sector. It is envisaged that the study will generate evidence-based recommendations to support the responsible and ethical use of AI by judicial officers and court institutions. The research will be informed by relevant international standards and frameworks relating to judicial integrity, including the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, the Manila Statement on Judicial Integrity, and the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, public administration, public policy, information technology, criminology, governances, or related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in legal research, judicial reform, governance, anti-corruption, justice sector development, digital governance, or related fields is required. A minimum of three years of experience conducting policy research and drafting analytical reports is required. Experience in judicial institutions and judicial ethics frameworks is required. Knowledge of emerging technologies and AI governance issues is required. Experience in the Pacific region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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.

Anti-corruption Consultant (International consultant)- Research on Artificial Intelligence and Judicial Integrity in Papua New Guinea