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 authority of the Assistant-Director General for Communication and Information, the overall supervision of the Secretary of International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), and the direct supervision of the Deputy-Secretary of the IPDC, the Consultant (hereafter referred to as Individual Specialist) will contribute to the implementation of activities under the umbrella of the IPDC.

Specifically, the Individual Specialist will:

A. Contribute to the timely organization of the IPDC Bureau and Council meetings and follow-up on their recommendations and decisions:

• Take part in the preparation of the 69th meeting of the IPDC Bureau and other IPDC governance-related meetings by drafting working documents, speeches, scenarios and briefings;
• Contribute to the drafting and finalization of the IPDC Bureau’s 69th meeting report;
• Support the implementation of Bureau and Council decisions.

B. Support the 2025 IPDC call for grassroots projects

• Update and, where necessary, help create new training materials tailored for field offices and applicants.
• Participate in the planning of training and induction sessions for UNESCO field offices, potential applicants, and the IPDC Bureau members.
• Contribute to the review of IPDC projects submitted as part of the 2025 annual calls.

Long Description

C. Contribute to programme planning, implementation and M&E

• Contribute to the periodic reporting on IPDC activities in Core Manager;
• Assist in coordinating the deployment of IPDC’s new M&E framework with Field Offices
• Support the collection, quality control and analysis of implementation reports, providing feedback and recommendations for improvements if necessary.
• Support IPDC’s online platform management and evolutions, and contribute to ensuring the continuous archiving of project proposals, reporting templates, M&E reports and other relevant documentation.
• Explore avenues for strengthening IPDC’s gender-transformative action.

D. Ensure the coordination of IPDC’s Safe Spaces initiative

• Act as focal point for IPDC’s ‘Safe Spaces’ initiative, focused on displaced and exiled journalists.
• Identify new countries and regions to which the initiative could be extended, strengthen the existing components of the initiative, and ensure linkages and the sharing of good practices between them as well as with the “Voices in Exile” initiative.
• Provide guidance and feedback to field offices and partners involved in this initiative, including to ensure the mainstreaming of UNESCO’s knowledge resources in the planned activities.
• Seek new funding avenues for the initiative.

E. Support IPDC’s visibility and resource mobilization strategy

• Draft briefings and strategic talking points for meetings with donors;
• Contribute to enhancing the visibility of IPDC’s support and impact.
• Develop at least 1 project proposal targeting traditional or new potential donors to the IPDC.

F. 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 final report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract, together with supporting documents.

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 5 years of relevant professional experience in project planning, coordination, management, research and/or communication 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.

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).