OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Tashkent

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) : 06-FEB-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background:

With the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), represented by the Embassy of Switzerland to Uzbekistan, the UNESCO Tashkent office will be implementing the program “Empowering the government and citizens of Uzbekistan by strengthening access to information, accountability of institutions and media competence”.

This program aims to transform Uzbekistan’s media landscape by enabling citizens’ access to information, reinforcing accountability and the rule of law, improving journalism education, and advancing media literacy in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. It focuses on three key areas: legislation and access to information, media development, and media literacy to enhance government capacity and citizen engagement.

Emphasizing the importance of critical information engagement for both citizens and the government, the program acknowledges that accurate and responsive government information, along with proper legislative norms for mass media activities, are essential. It assists to put in place adequate legislative norms to legalize mass media activities. The program further cooperates with judicial actors and law enforcement bodies and focuses on strengthening the rule of law by developing teaching modules on the importance of freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists as fundamental principles. It develops a set of guidelines and code of conduct on improving relationships between law enforcement officers and media professionals and adopts a communication plan on how to ensure accountability and transparency of police institutions through effective communication with the public. A significant aspect of the program is the development of a media and information literacy strategy, equipping government and citizens with skills to navigate and assess information sources effectively.

The program conducts tailored research, workshops and training in partnership with local organizations, promoting ownership and long-term sustainability. Consultations, conferences and awareness campaigns ensure a diverse range of voices and perspectives are included, fostering a comprehensive understanding of local challenges and opportunities.

Long Description

Tasks with timeline:

In collaboration with the Communication and Information Unit of the UNESCO Tashkent Office and the mandated national and international experts, conduct an analysis on access to information to be used for defining training objectives for workshops for governmental duty bearers (press officers, press secretaries, officials dealing with information requests etc.) and awareness raising campaigns for the public. The analysis should complement the 16.10.2 Survey results for Uzbekistan and Theme C (Right of Access to Information) covered by the IUI Assessment to be conducted in Uzbekistan.

The Individual Specialist will particularly (but not limited to):

A.

• Evaluate the legal and institutional framework to access information against international standards:
• Identify and assess the different channels for requesting information (online, offline, written, verbal),
• Assess the request procedure (application platforms, fees, information requested from information seekers) and identify specific gaps in legislation.
• Assess appeals mechanisms (e.g., independence,)
• Assess whether the access to information legal framework is gender-sensitive (based on the recommendations submitted on page 16 of the UNESCO publication “Promoting Gender Equity in the Right of Access to Information”, see unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381684/PDF/381684eng.pdf.multi

B.

• Analyze the functionality and effectiveness of access to information mechanisms (for ordinary citizens and journalists), and:
• Analyze the timeliness of responses to information requests and compliance with legal deadlines based on professional experiences within the journalist network,
• Assess the quality and completeness of information provided in response to requests,
• Analyze the effectiveness of appeal mechanisms (e.g. independence, effectiveness),
• Assess whether the access to information practice is gender-sensitive (based on the recommendations submitted on page 16 of the UNESCO publication “Promoting Gender Equity in the Right of Access to Information”, see unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381684/PDF/381684eng.pdf.multi
• Describe monitoring mechanisms in place and suggest improvements
• Provide a list of resources developed and studies conducted by international or local organizations on access to information in Uzbekistan

Long Description

C.

• Evaluate user access and awareness:
• Provide a list of public awareness campaigns on access information in Uzbekistan
• Analyze the level of understanding of access to information among different user groups, including specific challenges faced by vulnerable groups.

D.

• Identify challenges and opportunities for improvement or capacities of duty bearers providing access to information:
• Evaluate the capacities of governmental information providers and analyze the main obstacles to effective access to, including legal challenges, institutional weaknesses, and lack of user awareness.
• Identify best practices and international standards relevant to access to information, and assess their applicability in the Uzbekistan context.
• Develop and prepare a specific and actionable report on analysis recommendations for improving the legal framework, institutional infrastructure, access mechanisms, and user awareness in Uzbekistan.

2. Deliverables:

a) Submission of a progress report summarizing the key findings and recommendations on A., B., C. and D, no later than 15th of March 2024 (in English language)
b) Submission of final assessment report (desk study equivalent to 20 days work) which includes the analyses, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improvement, no later than 31 March 2024 (English language)

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Law, Social sciences or other relevant field

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in conducting research analyses and data analyses, evaluating program effectiveness, and mechanisms, or/ doing policy assessment.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience with governmental authorities, press officers, media outlets, local NGOs and agencies, and international organizations in the field of media and access to information.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”. At the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV
• A proposal (maximum 3 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment, based on the abovementioned timeline.
• The proposed fee (excluding travel cost) in US dollars to undertake the assignment. Travel cost will be covered by the project.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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