Consultant (Communication and information)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Paris

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) : 30-NOV-2024 (EXTENDED)

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage. (The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)

Work Assignments:

Work Assignments:

Under the overall authority of the Head of Unit a.i. for Media and Information Literacy and Digital competencies, the Individual Specialist shall provide his/her expertise to support Drafting guidelines to advance UNESCO’s intersectoral efforts towards empowering citizens with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, including but not limited to Media and Information Literacy Skills, for the ethical use of new digital technologies for positive societal transformation towards peace.

The Individual Specialist should provide his/her expertise to ensure author services to draft guidelines to identify and define the cross-cutting aspects of UNESCO’s work related to empowering citizens with the necessary critical thinking skills to use new digital technologies and to navigate the online information ecosystem.

This includes reviewing, including of UNESCO’s previous publications and projects, and providing practical guidance and examples of approaches on how to realize concrete intersectoral synergies when implementing different aspects of UNESCO’s work in this area, especially the Intersectoral Programme 4: “Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies: Empowering learners of all ages with skills to navigate an evolving information and knowledge landscape in the digital age”.

     In Particular: the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Undertake a review to identify and define the cross-cutting aspects of UNESCO’s work related to empowering citizens with the necessary critical thinking skills to use new digital technologies and to navigate the online information ecosystem. This includes reviewing, including of UNESCO’s previous publications, ongoing work/activities and projects.
2. Based on this review, put forward practical guidance and examples of approaches on how to realize concrete intersectoral synergies when implementing different aspects of UNESCO’s work in this area, especially the Intersectoral Programme 4: “Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies: Empowering learners of all ages with skills to navigate an evolving information and knowledge landscape in the digital age”.
3. Throughout the process, integrate feedback both from UNESCO teams and also independent experts towards ensuring that document is up to current scientific and UNESCO standards. The document/ practical guidelines resource is to be designed and prepared for internal use (within UNESCO) or by UNESCO employees.

Deliverables:

Deliverables:

1. A comprehensive concept note, outlining notably a table of contents of the Guidelines, by 6 December 2024.
2. Findings of the review and the zero draft of the proposed guidelines. (16 pages; 320 words/page) by 6 January 2025
3. 1st draft of the Guidelines (16 pages; 320 words/page)? – prepared for internal use by UNESCO, by 21 February 2025
4. 2nd draft of the Guidelines (16 pages; 320 words/page) by 25 March 2025

All deliverables should be prepared in English. The style should be simple and accessible to non-native English speakers. 

The author should provide UNESCO with written evidence of permission for UNESCO to reproduce or otherwise use the materials in the work in whatever form or language it is published by using the Permission Consent Form attached to this contract.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

•  Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in journalism, political sciences, management, or in related fields of social and human sciences.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in communication and information and in particular on Media and Information Literacy.

Skills/Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of media and information literacy and its relation to online freedom of expression, online harmful content and its integration in formal and informal education
• Competency in crafting compelling communication materials to enhance project visibility initiatives.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills.
• Ability to work with and in multicultural teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Ability to be proactive and work independently.
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s work and mandate

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of (written and spoken) English

Additional Information:

• The selected candidate will work remotely. 
• Travel to Paris will not be necessary for this assignment. If, in the course of the contract, travel is deemed necessary, UNESCO will reimburse the Individual Specialist in accordance with the organization’s existing travel provisions. Except for expenses necessarily incurred by an Individual Specialist in order to prepare for an assignment (e.g., travel or equipment), no advance payment shall be made)
• This Consultant Contract is for a period of (4 months]
• Estimated contract dates from 26 November to 25 March 2025

Applications submitted without Technical and Financial proposal will not be considered.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience with UNESCO and/or the United Nations system and demonstrated understanding of their functioning and procedures.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, Spanish).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

Part 1: Technical Proposal

1. an up-to-date curriculum vitae;
2. a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
3. an indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO;
4. List of relevant publications, if any. Provide link or URL to view online. [if required]

Part 2: Financial Proposal

1. A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR (or USD) and expressed on a monthly basis (with maximum of 5000 EUR per month) - the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum.

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SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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