International Consultant – Communication and Information

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Yangon

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement: [[filter13]]

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-FEB-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

UNESCO works to create an enabling environment for a free, independent and pluralistic media by promoting and protecting freedom of expression, safety of journalists, access to information and fostering a media and information literate society. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under Goal 16, recognizes the importance of “access to information, fundamental freedoms and the safety of journalists for the creation of peaceful, just and inclusive societies”. The projects “Preventing hate speech and promoting peaceful society through Media and Information Literacy” and “Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists” aim to help facilitate UNESCO’s work in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UNESCO office in Myanmar is working with a wide range of stakeholders, including the international and local media development organizations, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), journalists and media associations, on a series of activities to promote the freedom of expression and access to information.  The activities include awareness raising on freedom of expression and safety of journalists, capacity building programmes and multimedia campaigns to promote Media and Information Literacy and advocacy for the development of Community Media in Myanmar. UNESCO also supports to strengthen the capacity of journalist regarding reporting on ethnic, cultural and religious issues, strengthen the capacity of community media to promote diversity and pluralism, enhance the awareness and dialogue on diversity, discrimination and pluralism of youth and women, and peace education as intersectoral activities.
 

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To get technical and advisory support bringing critical input from an individual consultant for the communication and information unit of UNESCO Yangon Office regarding resource mobilization, planning and implementation of the projects related to freedom of expression, press freedom, the safety of journalists, access to information, preventing hate speech, and promoting peaceful society through media and information literacy.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervision of the Head of Project Antenna Office in Yangon, in close collaboration with the UNESCO Communication and Information (CI) unit. The individual specialist shall be responsible for the following. 
1.    Work closely with Communication and Information team to design and prepare work plans for next stages of the Multi-Donor Programme (MDP) and facilitate resource mobilization through cooperation, partnerships, and proposal development.
1.1.    Provide technical assistance to the development of 2024 MDP workplan to foster a free, independent, and pluralistic media by promoting freedom of expression, press freedom, safety of journalists, access to information and media and information literacy. 
1.2.    Initiate coordination and communication with potential funding sources for fund raising and resource mobilization including the preparation of relevant background/technical information (e.g., Brief notes) of the programs for use during donor communication.
1.3.    Lead the development of proposal and budget in close collaboration with the Head of Office and CI team. 

2.    Provide technical assistance in drafting concept notes, terms of reference, press releases, and publications for the activities and events regarding CI’s projects with the focus on Media Development, Freedom of Expression, Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists, Access to Information and Media and Information Literacy.
2.1.    Convene or attend dialogues, meetings, workshops, trainings, and other activities related to the implementation of projects. 
2.2.    Convene or attend consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners to promote collaboration and coordination for the implementation activities. 
2.3.    Plan and implement with CI team annual commemorative events for World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI), World Radio Day (WRD), Global MIL Week and any other related campaigns and events.

3.    Provide technical consultation in conducting CI’s activities, and overall implementation of CI’s projects including the development of monitoring tools and plans based on the M&E Plan and Guidance to ensure the achievement of the project outcomes and outputs. 

4.    Offer technical assistance in donor reporting, inclusive of the preparation of progress reports to donors for the execution of programs/projects with the support of communication and Information team. 

Note: Due to COVID-19 pandemic and political situation, a degree of flexibility is needed to allow for amendment of the contract deliverables, travel, and requisite payment. The participation at the consultation meetings, dialogues, trainings may be in person or through virtual conferencing depending on the COVID-19 pandemic and political situation in Myanmar and the availability of the individual specialist.

Travel: 
The Specialist will be required to travel on missions directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and receive Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations.  Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) security clearance prior to each approved mission. 
 

4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

The Individual Specialist shall submit the deliverables outlined as below. It is also required to provide, in addition to PDF files, the source documents and the editable version (such as Microsoft Word editable files) of the deliverables to UNESCO, who is the owner of all the deliverables.

4.1.    A narrative report which highlights progress made in work planning for 2024 Multi-Donor Program along with the finalized workplan by 29th March 2024.

4.2.    A planning report for fund raising and resource mobilization, inclusive of the identification of potential funding sources and the communication strategy by 30th April 2024.

4.3.    An activity progress report with the concept notes and documents prepared for the implementation of programs/projects by 31st May 2024.

4.4.    A monitoring and evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness of CI’s program/project activities, including the development of M & E Tools by 28th June 2024.

4.5.    An achievement report for fund raising and resource mobilization, highlighting the progress made in donor communication and partnerships for funds and the follow-up action points by 31st July 2024.

4.6.    A final report summarizing the main activities carried out, outcomes and lessons learnt during the contract period by 30th August 2024. All supporting travel documents (such as original boarding passes, original visa fee receipts, UNDSS security clearance) of official travel undertaken shall be submitted for reimbursement after each approved mission.

Timeframe
From: [1st-March -2024]   To: [31st-August-2024]   

No
Deliverable(s)
Article Reference
Timeline
1
A narrative report which highlights progress made in work planning for 2024 Multi-Donor Program along with the finalized workplan 
   4.1
by 29th March 2024
2
A mission report for fund raising and resource mobilization, inclusive of the identification of potential funding sources and the communication strategy 
   4.2
by 30th April 2024
3
A progress report with the concept notes and documents prepared for the implementation of programs/project 
   4.3
by 31st May 2024
4
A monitoring and evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness of CI’s program/project activities, including the development of M & E Tools 
   4.4
by 28th June 2024
5
An achievement report for fund raising and resource mobilization, highlighting the progress made in donor communication and partnerships for funds and the follow-up action points 
   4.5
by 31st July 2024
6
A final report summarizing the main activities carried out, outcomes and lessons learnt during the contract period 
   4.6
by 30th August 2024

5. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY UNESCO (if any)

6. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CONSULTANTS; AUTHORS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, FILM OR VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALISTS] (if any)
N/A 
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
7.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in the field of communication, information science, social science, media, management or related areas.

Work Experience
Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, preferably in the field of communication and information.

Skills/Competencies
•    Excellent project management, coordination and organizational skills;
•    Good analytical and problem-solving skills;
•    Ability to perform in facilitating workshops, dialogues and seminars focused on freedom of expression, right to information, journalists’ safety, community media and media and information literacy;
•    Strong technical skills regarding the projects related to Media and Information Literacy (MIL), safety of journalists and press freedom
•    Strong expertise and demonstrated experience in developing action plans and advocacy strategies aimed at mobilizing donor support for media development initiatives.
•    Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills;
•    Creative thinking and problem-solving skills;
•    Proven ability to work efficiently, under pressure, and in a multi-cultural environment

Languages
•    Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken). 
 

8. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience
•    Work experience with the UN or other inter-governmental organizations in relevant fields; 
•    Strong ability and prior experience working in media development in the Asia-Pacific Region, in particular in the development and support of media initiatives related to freedom of expression, right to information, journalists’ safety, community media and media and information literacy. 
•    Familiar with Myanmar’s media landscape and context, including knowledge on the existing media houses and journalists’ associations and organizations.
•    Proven experience in regional coordination and technical assistance; 
•    Proven experience in donor and stakeholder relationship management; 
•    Experience in preparing publications and reports; 
•    Research experience; 
•    Experience in leading, guiding and supervising international teams;
•    Relevant experience in the Asia-Pacific at both regional and national levels. 

 Skills/Competencies
•    Good leadership and teamwork with excellent managerial skills.

Languages
•    Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).  
 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form. 

•    An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment. 

•    Written technical and financial proposals (in English):

o    Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 4, A4 pages), a workplan and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and 
o    The proposed daily or monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Travel expenses should be drawn up separately.

•    Contact details including telephone numbers and email addresses of three referees. 

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.
 

Short Description

Additional Information
•    Travel costs should be included in the financial proposal.
•    This contract is for a period of 6 months, with/without the possibility of extension. Estimated start date is: 1st March 2024. 
Assessment
•    Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
•    Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note:  
•    Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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.
 

Footer

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.