NATIONAL PROJECT OFFICER (COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION) (SB-5 SC10 Min)
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Duty Station: Kyrgyzstan
Job Family: Communication and Information
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level : Level 5
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 10-MAR-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
(Only candidates entitled to work in Kyrgyzstan may apply for this post)
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
UNESCO’s Communication and Information (CI) Unit of Almaty Regional Office (hereinafter “UNESCO Almaty”) aims to promote freedom of expression, free, independent and pluralistic media, and to build an inclusive knowledge society. This includes the promotion and advocacy of free, independent, and pluralistic media, professional and quality journalism, strengthening self-regulation mechanisms of the media, promoting media and information literacy including countering disinformation, hate speech and harmful content online. UNESCO Almaty works with all stakeholders including the government, civil society, academia, and media to achieve these goals in (insert countries covered by the regional/national office).
Within the framework of the EU-funded Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project (Phase II), UNESCO works to build the resilience of societies to the impact of disinformation, hate speech and harmful content in socially polarized environments and foster peace through new technologies, particularly social media. This project takes a comprehensive approach through research and advoacy, coalition-building and capacity building activities. That is, it conducts a mapping of the existing governance mechanisms as well as legislative and policy responses to these challenges in order to identify gaps and root causes. It works to cultivate dialogue and multistakeholder collaboration, using UNESCO’s convening power to bring together relevant actors, including media councils, civil society, academic, regulatory and judicial bodies and national authorities, and builds national coalitions to coordinate and amplify joint actions and advocacy efforts. To implement the project in Kyrgyz Republic, UNESCO is seeking a National Project Officer.
Long Description
Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Almaty and the immediate supervision and guidance of the National Programme Officer for Communication and Information (hereinafter “CI”), the National Project Officer will support and contribute to the implementation of the SM4P project (Phase II) under I portfolio in these following areas:
A) TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION
a. Contribute to the design, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of project activities.
b. Assist in preparation of project work plans, budgets, and output indicators.
c. Provide inputs for preparation of periodic reports as required.
d. Monitor project progress, final reports and financial disbursements to ensure conformity to work plans and alignment to UNESCOs rules and regulations.
e. Conduct situational research and analysis; analyze/compile data for potential partnership opportunities.
f. Develop concept notes/proposals to support resource mobilization; prepare publications, briefings, and other related documents.
g. Keep abreast of relevant news and policies and continuously collect, analyze and share data/studies concerning social media usage, dissemination of hate speech and/or disinformation, and freedom of expression in Kyrgyz Republic.
h. Ensure the involvement and ownership of relevant partners and stakeholders in coordination and implementation of project national activities - notably the National authorities, relevant CSOs and INGOs, social media platforms representatives, etc.
i. Assist in organization and delivery of capacity building activities to enhance capabilities of stake holders, researchers, network members, and colleagues.
j. Disseminate information on project initiatives and activities to ensure project visibility; extend, engage and reinforce networks, engage new and diverse stakeholders, and foster partnerships.
k. Supports unit in mainstreaming gender equality effectively throughout the project activities, reports, research, and analysis.
l. Support unit in arranging meetings/project events, minutes of meetings, monitors followup actions, etc.
m. Draft memos, reports, and other project-related correspondence.
n. Provide substantive logistical and administrative support to project procurement, consultations, technical groups/think tanks, meetings, Networks and Partnership initiatives, events, and missions.
Long Description
B) PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
a. Provide support in CI programme/ SM4P project administration with regard to organization of outreach activities, partnership initiatives and special events. Track, retrieve, research files, reports, records and past practices; gather and collate background information; verify information for relevance and accuracy; analyze and summarize information; identify elements of interest; prepare draft dockets and charts; and assemble documents, prepare reports, presentations, etc. according to established standards and formats.
b. Support SM4P project/ CI programme activities, which include, but not limited to, tracking budgetary data/project documents from current or past initiatives, monitoring assigned CI programme(s)/ SM4P project budgets status, supporting collation of information to assist in developing drafts reports, budget proposals for activities and/or other financial projections with guidance from the CI National Programme Specialist.
c. In collaboration with UNESCO Almaty team members, assess administrative support needed for meetings/events/ workshops/seminars, travels, document processing/publication production, procurement, and other relevant office support services. This include initiating travel authorization and supporting travel arrangements for team staff; informing management and team members of process, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services necessary for programme/project activities execution; and initiating a variety of contractual documents and launch of purchase requisitions in DUO.
d. Maintain internal and external relations for effective implementation of CI’s programme/SM4P project activities; participate in meetings and other activities with relevant partners and stakeholder; minute taking, undertake missions; assist in resource mobilization by supporting development of new project concept notes and proposals; assist in identifying potential donors and partners, with guidance from the CI National Programme Specialist.
e. Contract management support: Provide guidance to contractors on project/programme reporting requirements, rules & procedures, and ensure completeness and accuracy of data submitted. Monitor submission timelines for deliverables as stipulated in contractual documents, follow up with contractors in a timely manner, and notify and/or alert supervisors if delays are expected or errors/omissions/discrepancies are observed and undertake the necessary corrective actions. Support unit in reviewing deliverables for quality & acceptability per TORs/contractual documents. Verify Payment Requests against contractual obligations in DUO. Prepare/submit approved payment requests to Admin for settlement.
f. Maintain up-to-date electronic and/or hard-copy programme/project documentation, records, data sources on budgetary data and other administrative files; update/maintain project equipment listings, etc.
g. Provide general office assistance, draft correspondence, emails and support development of a variety of reports, charts/tables to document/ transmit administrative or budgetary information. Verify outgoing correspondence for completeness, accuracy and compliance with UNESCO format standards and respond to enquiries. Maintain mailing and contact lists. Handle routine administrative tasks.
Long Description
C) COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH
a. Plan and prepare periodic communication outputs to ensure project visibility. This includes the drafting and/or production of public information materials, such as news items, infographics, and other necessary documents or materials, for UNESCO Almaty’swebsite, newsletter and social media channels in coordination with Public Information unit or other relevant team (if necessary).
b. Liaise with the EU delegation in Kyrgyz Republic to share project updates and results, and engage with them for their participation in key activities.
D) MONITORING AND REPORTING
a. Report project results to the project coordination team based in HQ and keep regular communication with them to ensure timely reporting, and full alingment of project activities at the country level with the project’s global strategy.
b. Closely monitor the implementation of project activities and ensure an accurate and systematic collection of data and project information for donor reports.
c. Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress reports on project implementation per the requirements of UNESCO and EU.
The National Project Officer may perform any other duties deemed necessary or relevant to his/her responsibilities, as outlined above, by immediate supervisor or the Director of UNESCO Almaty.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in mass communication, international human rights, social sciences, international communications and/or other fields closely related to the position.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of four (4) years of relevant work experience in freedom of expression, mass communication, international human rights, international communications, peacebuilding or related fields, especially in the Kyrgyz Republic.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of human rights at the international level as well as human rights-related issues and processes in the areas of freedom of expression, access to information and global discussions on hate speech and disinformation especially in the context of social media platforms,
- Ability to administer independent research and analysis, draft reports, and communicate proficiently in a multicultural setting,
- Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives and manage projects including monitoring and reporting.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience in the UN System or international organization, international non-governmental organizations, or similar entities, or with EU-funded projects.
- Certification or experience in project management.
LANGUAGES
- Knowledge of Kyrgyz.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
- Salary: base monthly gross USD 2,443.93
(monthly rates in reference to the local UN FTA salary scales of the locally recruited staff, corresponding to 66% of the gross base salary; subject to change in case of changes in local UN salary scale).
- Medical and Pension Coverage.
As additional payment, upon proof of enrolment in an appropriate pension and/or medical scheme, the following contributions will be added to the SC holder's remuneration:
(a) up to 10% of the SC holder's remuneration to represent UNESCO's sole contribution for pension; and
(b) up to 5% of the SC holder's remuneration to represent UNESCO's sole contribution to medical insurance.
The SC holder must provide the proof of affiliation to local or private social security scheme if in receipt of an additional payment.
- Income Tax.
The remuneration paid to SC holders is not exempt from any income tax which may be levied by the tax authorities in the country where work is performed or any other tax authorities.
UNESCO shall not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which the SC holder
may be personally liable in respect of payments made under the terms of his/her contract.
SC holders will be solely and personally responsible for complying with tax laws that are applicable to them, and for paying any taxes (in particular income tax), duties or other contributions for which they may be personally liable, under any tax laws applicable to them, in respect of any payments made to them under the terms of their SC contract.
- UNESCO's salaries are paid in the currency established by the local UN System (currently in Kazakh Tenge at the applicable mid-month UNORE).
- Annual leave is granted at the rate of 2,5 working days for each completed month of service. The annual leave entitlement must be taken in full during the contract period.
- Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
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.
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PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PRE-SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
A WRITTEN EXAMINATION MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES.
UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
WOMEN CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.