OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background:

UNESCO is committed to fostering freedom of expression, media pluralism, and the ethical use of digital technologies to build inclusive societies rooted in universal access to information. UNESCO empowers key actors to ensure that fundamental freedoms especially freedom of expression and access to information align with international human rights standards. With more people actively using social media platforms, these spaces have become crucial for dialogue, networking, and self-expression. However, new and emerging challenges such as the proliferation of disinformation, hate speech, and algorithm-driven biases poses significant risks to democracy and public discourse. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital platforms introduces additional complexities. AI-driven algorithms shape online content, often amplifying biases, spreading disinformation, and impacting fundamental freedoms. UNESCO underscores the need for ethical AI governance frameworks to ensure these technologies promote transparency, accountability, and adherence to human rights standards. Other challenges especially the safety of journalists, particularly women journalists, remains a pressing concern. Online harassment, threats, and gender-based violence disproportionately target women in media, undermining their freedom of expression and access to equal participation in digital spaces. UNESCO continues to emphasize the importance of robust measures to protect journalists and ensure their safety, both online and offline, as a cornerstone of press freedom.

To address these challenges, UNESCO has launched different initiatives including Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms” in November 2023, Media and Information Literacy and integration of fundamental freedoms in AI. Anchored in the Windhoek+30 Declaration of 2021. Moreover, the recent Global Digital Compact and summit for the future has also emphasized on the importance of platform accountability, and digital literacy in combating harmful content while safeguarding fundamental rights.

In Pakistan, various developments are taking place in terms of establishing regulatory frameworks and legislations to navigate online content. By adopting a multi stakeholder approach there is a need to facilitate close working with relevant duty bearers to ensure that freedom of expression and access to information remain intact.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSULTANY

The UNESCO Office in Pakistan is seeking to hire a national consultant to support an inclusive and holistic advocacy efforts to address these challenges. The consultant will support in expanding efforts to facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration aligning with international human rights standards by integrating UNESCO’s ongoing programs. This advocacy plan primarily focuses on promoting more transparency, ethical use of digital technologies, and the strengthening of media and information literacy (MIL) among stakeholders to anchor within UNESCO’s digital transformation agenda.
The consultant will support in establishing baseline information and advise the communication and information sector in expanding areas to address critical themes such as the safety of journalists, particularly women journalists, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital platforms and media and information literacy and engaging judiciary and civil servants on freedom of expression and rule of law. These efforts will aim to foster an enabling environment for freedom of expression, combat online disinformation and hate speech, and protect cultural diversity in the digital sphere.

More specifically, the assignment aims to achieve the following two objectives:

Ecosystem Stakeholder Analysis

– Strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement and policy coherence by analyzing the contributions of relevant key actors in addressing disinformation, harmful content, online regulation, and the impacts of generative AI on freedom of expression and access to information.

Assessing Policy Framework and Alignment

– Promote informed policymaking by identifying and analyzing existing, recent, and upcoming legislation, role of regulatory bodies, and amendments related to curbing disinformation and harmful online content,
– Mapping global and regional best practices to align with international standards for safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information online

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Pakistan and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer Communication and Information, the national consultant will perform the following duties

– Conduct a comprehensive stakeholder analysis, including duty bearers, government departments, academia, civil society, and media groups engaged in related thematic areas.
– Assess current and planned governmental initiatives to address disinformation and harmful online content
– Evaluate existing and upcoming legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks impacting freedom of expression and access to information in the digital sphere
– Review and document ongoing and emerging fact-checking initiatives led by civil society, media organizations, international bodies, and government agencies
– Analyse the repository of national safety mechanisms for journalists to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement
– Identify technology companies and startups developing AI-driven tools to counter disinformation and harmful content, fostering potential partnerships for innovative solutions.
– Map UN – wide initiatives addressing similar issues and explore avenues for collaboration and exchange of best practices

DELIVERABLES AND SUBMISSION TIMELINE

The national consultant’s compensation will be based on a per-day rate, which will be negotiated and agreed upon prior to the commencement of the assignment.

Payments will be made as a lump sum at the end of each month, contingent upon the submission of three (03) progress reports (one at the end of each month detailing the tasks undertaken and accomplished in alignment with the outlined scope of work).

These reports must be reviewed and approved by the supervisor(s) before the monthly payment is processed.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• A master’s degree in public policy, management sciences and social sciences or any related field.

Professional Experience:

It is desirable that the national consultant has:

• Five years of experience in conducting comprehensive stakeholder mapping and analysis, including government departments, duty bearers, academia, civil society organizations, and media groups, to identify synergies and enhance collaborative efforts
• Proven ability to assess current and planned governmental initiatives, as well as analyse legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, particularly those addressing disinformation, harmful online content, and digital freedom of expression
• Expertise in reviewing and documenting fact-checking initiatives by civil society, media organizations, international bodies, and government agencies, with an emphasis on evaluating their impact and sustainability
• Analytical skills in assessing repositories of national safety mechanisms for journalists to identify gaps, propose actionable improvements, and ensure alignment with international standards.
• Experience of engagement with technology companies and startups to explore innovative AI-driven solutions for combating disinformation and harmful content online.
• Experience of working with UN agencies is desirable

Skills and Competencies:
• Excellent communication, analytical, report-writing skills and database packages.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Good knowledge and understanding of government functioning.
• Ability to take initiative and establish priorities, with capacity to work efficiently under pressure
• Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong understanding of Pakistan socio-economic landscape with a focus on freedom of expression, access to information and media development.

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Language Skills:
• Fluency in English and Urdu is required, with proficiency in any other local languages spoken in the area being an added advantage.