AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking an AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to help ensure responsible, ethical, and compliant AI development and deployment across the organization.

You will establish ethical frameworks, perform impact assessments, advise on fairness, transparency, and accountability, monitor regulatory changes, and collaborate with legal, compliance and engineering teams to embed ethics throughout the AI lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Ethics, Law, CS, Public Policy or related field.
• 3–5 years of AI ethics, responsible AI, or AI governance experience.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML principles and societal implications.
• Familiar with GDPR, AI Acts, and industry standards.
• Excellent research, analytical, and communication skills.
• Policy development and stakeholder engagement experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for AI development and deployment.
• Conduct thorough AI ethics impact assessments and risk analyses for new and existing AI projects.
• Advise cross-functional teams on ethical considerations, fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
• Monitor regulatory landscapes and ensure compliance with emerging AI governance standards and laws.
• Develop training programs and educational materials on AI ethics for employees at all levels.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to embed ethical principles into the AI lifecycle.

Skills

AI ethics

Governance

Regulatory compliance

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Advanced degree in Ethics, Law, CS, Public Policy or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to join their growing team in Durban. This crucial role will focus on ensuring that our client's AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with all relevant regulations. You will be responsible for establishing ethical frameworks, conducting impact assessments, and advising on best practices to mitigate risks associated with AI. This position is ideal for an individual with a strong understanding of AI technologies and a passion for ensuring their fair and beneficial use, contributing to a culture of trust and accountability within our client's operations in Durban.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for AI development and deployment.
• Conduct thorough AI ethics impact assessments and risk analyses for new and existing AI projects.
• Advise cross-functional teams on ethical considerations, fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
• Monitor regulatory landscapes and ensure compliance with emerging AI governance standards and laws.
• Develop training programs and educational materials on AI ethics for employees at all levels.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to embed ethical principles into the AI lifecycle.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Ethics, Law, Computer Science, Public Policy, or a related field, with a specialization in AI ethics.
• 3-5 years of experience in AI ethics, responsible AI, AI governance, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML principles, technologies, and their societal implications.
• Familiarity with relevant ethical frameworks, regulations (e.g., GDPR, proposed AI Acts), and industry standards.
• Excellent research, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ethical concepts clearly.
• Experience in policy development and stakeholder engagement is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development budget for workshops, conferences, and certifications.
• Opportunity to shape the ethical future of AI in a leading organization based in Durban.