Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to lead ethical governance in AI across development and deployment. You will craft frameworks, guide risk assessments, and collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure responsible AI use.

The role requires deep knowledge of AI ethics, regulatory developments, and strong communication. A hybrid work pattern is offered, with Pretoria focus and global regulatory awareness driving responsible innovation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Ethics, Law, Philosophy, CS, Public Policy, or related field.
• 5+ years of AI ethics, responsible AI, technology policy, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of AI concepts, ML and data science principles.
• In-depth knowledge of ethical frameworks, AI risks and governance models.
• Familiarity with current and emerging AI regulations and standards.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence.
• Experience in a corporate or consulting environment.
• Ability to work in hybrid settings (remote and in-office) based in Pretoria.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AI ethics frameworks, policies, and guidelines.
• Conduct ethical risk assessments for AI projects and products.
• Advise product development teams on ethical considerations and best practices.
• Monitor regulatory developments in AI ethics and governance globally and locally.
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops on AI ethics.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure responsible AI use.
• Engage with regulators and industry bodies on AI ethics issues.
• Establish mechanisms for model explainability, fairness, and accountability.
• Address ethical concerns related to AI systems.
• Contribute to Placements24's thought leadership in AI ethics and governance.

Skills

AI ethics

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical writing

Stakeholder influence

Education

Master's degree or higher

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to join their innovative team. This role is crucial in ensuring that our client's AI development and deployment practices are responsible, ethical, and compliant with evolving regulations. The position involves a hybrid work model, offering a blend of collaborative in-office engagement and the flexibility of remote work. You will be responsible for developing frameworks, guidelines, and policies to govern the ethical use of AI, mitigating risks, and promoting fairness and transparency. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the ethical landscape of AI within a forward-thinking organization and contribute to building trustworthy AI systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of AI technologies, ethical principles, and relevant legal/regulatory frameworks. Your expertise will be vital in navigating the complex challenges of AI governance and fostering a culture of responsible innovation. We believe in fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and ethical considerations are integrated into every stage of the AI lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AI ethics frameworks, policies, and guidelines.
• Conduct ethical risk assessments for AI projects and products.
• Advise product development teams on ethical considerations and best practices for AI.
• Monitor regulatory developments in AI ethics and governance globally and locally.
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops on AI ethics and responsible AI practices.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure AI systems are developed and used responsibly.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including regulators and industry bodies, on AI ethics issues.
• Establish mechanisms for AI model explainability, fairness, and accountability.
• Investigate and address ethical concerns related to AI systems.
• Contribute to the company's thought leadership in the area of AI ethics and governance.

Requirements

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field such as Ethics, Law, Philosophy, Computer Science, Public Policy, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in AI ethics, responsible AI, technology policy, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of AI concepts, machine learning, and data science principles.
• In-depth knowledge of ethical frameworks, AI risks (bias, fairness, transparency, accountability), and governance models.
• Familiarity with current and emerging AI regulations and standards.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience working in a corporate or consulting environment.
• Ability to work effectively in both remote and in-office settings for a hybrid role based in Pretoria.
• Demonstrated passion for responsible technology development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on high-impact AI ethics initiatives.
• Professional development and training in emerging AI governance topics.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation and responsibility.
• Contribution to shaping ethical AI practices in the industry.
• Retirement fund and medical aid options.
• Generous leave policy.