OVERVIEW

Post Number : CI/PA-025

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-AUG-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage.

(The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO’s wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, the general guidance of the Director of the Division for Freedom of Expression, Media Development, and Media and Information Literacy, the supervision of the Chief of the Section for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (CI/FMD/FEJ), and the direct supervision of the relevant Senior Project Officer, the Project Officer will be recruited to support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the project ‘Protecting journalists to protect democracy: tackling emergency threats to media freedom’, that aims to promote the information integrity of electoral processes through fostering an enabling environment for freedom of expression and safety of journalists.

The Outcomes of the project are in line with 41 C/5 Output 6.CI2 “Member States have strengthened capacities and raised awareness to enhance norms and policies related to freedom of expression, press freedom, safety of journalists, including women journalists, and the right to access information, online and offline”.

The Project Officer will also support the work of the CI/FMD/FEJ Section on media and elections, supporting rule of law, democratic institutions and electoral integrity; and the overall mandate of the Section for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, as instructed by the supervisors.

The main responsibilities of the Project Officer will be as follows:

Long Description

Programme and Project Support:

• Implement, monitor, evaluate and report on the project ‘Protecting journalists to protect democracy: tackling emergency threats to media freedom’ (hereafter “Project”), specifically the component that aims to promote the information integrity of electoral processes, through fostering an enabling environment for freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
• Provide programme and project support related to the implementation of the above-mentioned Project, including the monitoring and technical backstopping to colleagues, partners and stakeholders, as well as support for the design and implementation of activities.
• Provide Project implementation support to field operations, including through the provision of analytical support for Project design, delivery of technical advice and involvement in capacity building, and assistance in the contextualisation of globally produced resources.
• Define and revise Project requirements and specifications ensuring consistency with relevant priorities and available resources.
• Participate in Project review and evaluation meetings, and take action or provide substantive inputs to improve delivery and/or resolve implementation issues/challenges.
• Provide programme support to the Section’s work on media and elections, and coordinate the production, dissemination and management of global resources on these topics.

Long Description

Advice and Knowledge Management:

• Provide information and technical advice to governments, electoral stakeholders, regulatory authorities, partners and colleagues related to the Project.
• Engage with and keep abreast of developments and advancements related to the information integrity of electoral processes in order to inform and support governments, electoral authorities and colleagues on policy formulation, Project development, resources and best practices.
• Ensure technical backstopping on Project implementation to colleagues, field offices and stakeholders as related to assignments and priorities.
• Monitor trends and conduct analyses on contemporary challenges of the digital age and threats to the media in the context of elections in target countries/regions of the Project, research and recommend particular courses of action based on findings.

Long Description

Networking and Partnerships:

• In relation to the Project, provide information and liaise with colleagues within the Sector and in other Sectors, Field Offices, partners and stakeholders to discuss developments, exchange and archive ideas.
• Attend and participate in Project meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars representing UNESCO, promoting knowledge sharing, contributing to advocacy efforts and fostering approaches and interventions of proven effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with governmental and electoral authorities, partners and liaise with relevant stakeholders, including internet platforms to foster co-regulation and promote transparency in the oversight of online content moderation and political advertisements.

Administrative Support:

• Support the administration of the Project by contributing to the monitoring of budget, preparing requests/calls for proposals, managing contracting and liaising with administrative services

Visibility and communication:

• Ensure effective communication and visibility of the Project activities on media and elections, by implementing a communication plan and including donor and partner logos, as necessary.
• Coordinate the preparation of information material, news/website articles, and material for social media assets.
• Provide support to events, key initiatives and conferences on promoting the information integrity of electoral processes, freedom of expression and safety of journalists, either hosted by UNESCO or requiring UNESCO’s presence.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Political Sciences, Social Sciences including History and Law, or other relevant fields.

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 103 683 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.

UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.

UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.