BACKGROUND INFORMATION

UNESCO’s mandate to protect freedom of expression and information requires a comprehensive approach that involves diverse set of strategies that involve policy solutions, research, international and regional advocacy, among others.

The Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalist (FEJ) Section takes forward these strategies and deeps dive into the behaviour in the digital environment and their intersection with different technologies.

Therefore, to safeguard freedom of expression and information online and counter online harms such as hate speech, UNESCO has implemented a set of strategies:

a) Within the Social Media 4 Peace project, funded by the European Union. In conflict-prone regions, these strategies include developing networks and coalitions where multistakeholder dialogue is essential for creating peaceful narratives and promoting coherent content moderation and curation policies based on international human rights standards. Additionally, these efforts focus on developing Media and Information Literacy strategies to empower users.

b) Through a policy solution and based on the lessons learned by the Social media 4 Peace Project, UNESCO developed, through a multistakeholder consultation process, Guidelines for the governance of digital platforms. The Guidelines were launched in November 2023 and a new phase to implement and operationalize them has started. Thus, UNESCO will seek to support networks that promote and ensure, using the Guidelines, a human right respecting governance solutions.

These networks are:

• The I4T Knowledge Network
• The Global Forum of Networks
• The self-regulatory authorities and the Social Media 4 Peace Project Coalitions

Each network has defined their aim and the strategy to pursue that aim, while UNESCO will support them to fulfil their mission and use its convening power to bring them together to share knowledge and capacity building. Thus, one of the aims of this consultancy will be of nurturing and supporting the implementation strategy of the Social Media 4 Peace Project, aligned with a comprehensive understanding a the human rights based approach outlined in the Guidelines and thus the strengthening of these three networks.

c) Finally, the development of these activities must be supported by evidence-based research. The World Trends Report on Freedom of Expression, a flagship publication produced every four years, informs Member States’ actions to foster an environment conducive to freedom of expression and information, and highlights key trends within the information ecosystem. Therefore, the evaluation and learning process of the Social Media 4 Peace Project will be crucial in informing this report, which is set to be released in 2025.

Therefore, with the support of the Multi-donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) and the Social Media 4 Peace Project, this consultancy will build on these important strategies of the CI/FEJ section to protect and promote freedom of expression in the digital environment.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, the general supervision of the Chief of Section for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, and the direct supervision of the relevant Programme Specialist, the Consultant will contribute to the implementation of the Section’s activities, under regular and extrabudgetary programmes, aimed at promoting and protecting freedom of expression in the digital environment.

The Consultant will focus specifically on supporting UNESCO’s work to promote freedom of expression in the digital ecosystem through a human rights-based approach, particularly for the finalization of phase 1 of the project Social Media 4 Peace Project, follow up on the Global Forum of Networks Roadmap for the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms” and the development of the World Trends Report (WTR).

In particular, the Individual Consultant will support the Section through:

• Drafting briefings related to the Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms, the Social Media 4 Peace Project and World Trends Report.
• Preparing concept notes, speeches and talking points; reports, including background research, and review of existing literature and policies of issues related to the Guidelines for the governance digital platforms, the Social Media 4 Peace Project and the World Trends Report.
• Facilitating and coordinating the follow up of the activities set on the RoadMap of the Global Forum of Networks and ensure efficient communication of main outcomes with the other networks.

• Preparing the organization of the next International Conference for Internet Governance among the different networks.
• Facilitating the development and building up of regional multistakeholder networks to promote the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms.”
• Drafting and editing information and communication materials, website articles, concept notes, speeches, correspondence, briefings, project proposals, policy guidelines, agreements and other documents related to the Social Media 4 Peace Project, the “Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms,” the Networks and the World Trends Report.
• Conducting monitoring and reporting on the impact of the Social media 4 Peace Project, the “Guidelines for Governance Digital Platforms” and their connection to the World Trends Report and its use by key stakeholders. Backstopping colleagues at Headquarters and in the Field to support the organization of events, presentations, conferences bounded to the Social media 4 Peace Project and the Guidelines for governance digital platforms and the World Press Freedom Day.
• Organizing and preparing background documents for the strengthening of Social media 4 Peace Coalitions along with the other networks (I4T Knowledge Network and the Global Forum of Networks).
• Developing a strategy to integrate the lessons learned and implementation of SM4P project, with the implementation of the Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms funded by the EU.
• Provide technical assistance in the finalization of the evaluation report, to ensure that the document captures the linkages between the Social Media 4 Peace project and the implementation of the “Guidelines for the Governance of digital platforms.”

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Master’s degree in media/communication studies, international relations, human rights, social sciences, political science, or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least five years of relevant professional experience, one of which acquired at international level, preferably in the United Nations System or other intergovernmental organization.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (both written and spoken).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Languages

• Very good knowledge of Spanish (both written and spoken).

Work Experience

• Experience in the area of freedom of expression and digital policy.