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 overall supervision of the Director for Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Media and Information Literacy (DIR/FMD), and the direct supervision of the Deputy Secretary of the International Programme for the development of Communication (IPDC), the Consultant (hereafter referred to as individual specialist) shall:

A. Prepare the annual report on IPDC projects to be submitted to IPDC’s Bureau, by collecting and analyzing the individual implementation reports of all IPDC projects implemented in 2023 – 2024, using a Results-Based Management lens. The individual specialist will analyze the impact of IPDC’s support and its contribution to UNESCO’s priorities, and distill challenges and lessons learned. The length of the report will be approx. 40 standard pages (standard page = 320 words).

B. Contribute to the preparation of the 69th IPDC Bureau meeting (June 2025), including by supporting the preparation and finalization of high-quality working documents, speeches, briefings and reports.

C. Support the management of IPDC’s annual project cycle, including by contributing to the review process of proposals received by the IPDC Secretariat.

D. Build further momentum for IPDC’s initiative to promote solutions to the viability challenges faced by media, including by:

• Lead UNESCO’s inputs on the implementation of the Media Viability Manifesto and the Principles for Effective Support to the Media and Information Environment.
• Manage a regional project to update the Media Viability Indicators and apply them in 3 countries of the Arab States region.
• Lead outreach efforts for UNESCO’s resources on media viability and provide substantive inputs to the development of a new brief on media viability.
• Contribute to UNESCO’s fundraising efforts in the area of media viability.

E. Provide guidance and backstopping for an IPDC-supported regional projects to set up an online platform for the safety of women journalists in Africa.

F. Support the process of developing a new UNESCO handbook on environmental reporting.

G. Other tasks within the field of IPDC’s work, as requested by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary to the IPDC.

Deliverables:

Submit to UNESCO for approval:

a) By February 2025, a first monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

b) By March 2025, a second monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

c) By April 2025, a third monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

d) By May 2025, a fourth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

e) By June 2025, a fifth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

f) By July 2025, a sixth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

g) By August 2025, a seventh report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

h) By September 2025, an eight report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

i) By October 2025, a ninth report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

j) By November 2025, a tenth report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract

k) By December 2025, a final report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Journalism/Media studies, international development, political sciences or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project planning, coordination, research, management, communication and/or editing in the area of international relations, media, development, or public policy.
• Relevant work experience with UN agencies, IGOs.
• Previous experience in working on media development and/or press freedom issues.

Skills/Competencies

• Good understanding of UNESCO’s work to promote media development and freedom of expression.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and ability to exchange, develop and summarize concise information on complex issues.
• Strong project management skills. Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and planning skills, and ability to prioritize assignments and deadlines. Discretion and maturity of judgement.
• Capacity to collect, digest, consolidate, synthesize and analyze a vast array of information and provide insights on complex issues.
• Solid computer skills including advanced knowledge of office software such as Word, Excel.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s institutional mandates and working procedures.
• Innovative thinking.
• Familiarity with the latest trends in the media sector.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).