Individual Consultant (Ocean Literacy)
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Duty Station: Bangkok
Job Family: Natural Sciences
Type of contract : Affiliated personnel
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 15/02/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background and rationale
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is the United Nations body for ocean science, ocean observation, ocean services and capacity development. Its mission is to promote international cooperation and coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building to learn more about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas, and to apply this knowledge to improve management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and the decision-making processes of States. IOC has been designated as the coordinating agency for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (Hereafter referred to as “Ocean Decade”). The Ocean Literacy programme of IOC promotes an understanding of the ocean’s influence on humanity and humanity’s influence on the ocean, aiming to bridge the science–policy–society gap, foster ocean stewardship, and enable effective implementation of global frameworks such as SDG 14 through behavioral change and inclusive participation.
The UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) is the regional arm of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) for the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. The Sub-Commission carries forward the IOC’s mission in the region, advancing ocean knowledge, fostering international cooperation, and catalyzing ocean science solutions for sustainable development of marine and coastal resources.
While serving as the IOC Regional Secretariat for the Sub-Commission, the WESTPAC Office assumes additional function as the Decade Coordination Office responsible for coordinating Decade Actions across all Ocean Decade Challenges in the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas. Hosted by the Government of Thailand, the Office is situated in the Government Complex Building B, Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok. It is administratively attached to the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, facilitating efficient coordination and collaboration in achieving the objectives set forth by the IOC and UNESCO.
Long Description
Objective of this assignment
Ocean Literacy refers to “an understanding of the ocean’s influence on humanity and humanity’s influence on the ocean”. Ocean literacy is not only about increasing public awareness, but also about equipping citizens and stakeholders with the knowledge and motivation to make responsible and informed decisions towards the ocean and its resources.
Ocean literacy is essential for advancing sustainable ocean governance and achieving the goal of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). It is especially crucial for the countries in the Western Pacific, characterized by rich marine biodiversity, diverse cultural-socio-economic contexts, and high vulnerability to climate change.
Journalists and media professionals, as key intermediaries between ocean and society, play a critical role in raising awareness, shaping public discourse, and driving collective actions through accurate and informed reporting. Recognizing the limited level of ocean literacy of journalists and media professionals in the Western Pacific, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific, with the support of the Japanese Funds-in-Trust (JFIT), initiated the “Ocean Literacy for Journalists in the Southeast Asia” pilot project, aiming to enhance the ocean literacy of journalists and media professionals in four pilot countries in the Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, by improving their understanding of ocean and ocean science, fostering collaborative networks between journalists/media groups and ocean experts/institutions, promoting regionally and locally relevant ocean narratives.
As an initial step, this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive scoping assessment in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines to identify target media groups and potential partners at national level, assess key ocean literacy gaps and capacity development needs, review existing ocean literacy tools and methods, and formulate priority activities. The findings generated through this assignment will provide the analytical foundation for the implementation of the “Ocean Literacy for Journalists in the Southeast Asia” project.
Long Description
Key duties and responsibilities
Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok), and the direct supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office/Decade Coordination Office for the region, four national individual consultants will be recruited, one in each country (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines). Each consultant will undertake a comprehensive scoping assessment on ocean literacy among journalists in their respective country. The assignment will include the following specific tasks:
- Identification of target media groups and potential partners at national level: Identify and map key national and local media outlets, journalism associations, and individual journalists engaged in environmental and ocean reporting, and identify potential national partners for collaboration.
- Needs and capacity development assessment: In collaboration with identified targe groups and partners, assess the existing initiatives, knowledge, and experience; and further identify gaps, challenges, and country-specific priorities with respect to journalists’ ocean literacy and capacity development needs.
- Review of existing ocean literacy tools, materials, methods, and good practices: Review and analyze existing training materials, communication tools, and outreach methods currently used to enhance ocean literacy for journalists, and examine relevant regional and international best practices relevant to the Western Pacific context.
- Co-design of priority activities with pilot country: Based on the assessment results, co-develop with national partners a list of priority activities, including development of tailored tools and approaches, to be conducted over the next two years to address the specific needs.
Location and Travel
The Consultant will be home-based and work remotely from any location. They must be available for virtual meetings with the IOC/WESTPAC Office during official working hours in Bangkok, Thailand (UTC+7).
The Consultant may be required to travel on missions directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Consultant should travel economy class and receive 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 ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Consultant 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 Consultant is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.
Delivery versus payment schedule
|
Task number |
Deliverables |
Payment Schedule |
|
1 |
Inception report outlining the approaches and methodologies, timeline and work plan, and submitted to WESTPAC for review and acceptance. |
Upon submission, two weeks from the contract start date |
|
2 |
Final report consolidating all findings and analyses, addressing the assignment objectives, and submitted to WESTPAC for review and acceptance. |
Upon submission, three months after the first deliverable |
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) required in the field of education, ocean or environmental science, journalism, international development, or a related field.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: ocean literacy or advocacy, public outreach or education, science communication or environmental journalism, preferably with minimum two (2) years acquired at the international level.
Skills and competencies
- Strong initiative and proven ability to manage competing priorities, organize and prioritize workloads, and meet established deadlines with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail and quality of work.
- Excellent drafting skills, including the ability to prepare clear and high-quality analytical documents or products.
- Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, diplomatic, and advocacy skills, with demonstrated ability to collect, synthesize, and analyze complex information from various sources and convey messages.
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
- Proficient IT skills, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other relevant digital tools.
Languages
- Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
Long Description
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Working experience with Journalists and Medias is an asset.
- Previous experience with UN agencies or international organizations would be an asset.
Languages
- Knowledge of one relevant local language of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines or Thailand is considered an asset.
- Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.
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.
Before uploading the file, please order the documents in following order:
- A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
- Written technical and financial proposals (in English):
- Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 800 words) and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and
- The proposed 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 as part of the financial proposal.
- Employment History Form
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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.
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.
- Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at iocwestpac@unesco.org
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 an 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.
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