Consultant (Middle Level) IPDC 2

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Affiliated personnel

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 2026-02-26

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.)
 
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (ADG/CI), and the direct supervision of the overall supervision of the Director for Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Media and Information Literacy (DIR/FMD), and the direct supervision of the Deputy Secretary of the International Programme for the development of Communication (IPDC), the Consultant (hereafter referred to as individual specialist) shall:

A.  Build further momentum for IPDC’s initiative to promote solutions to the viability challenges faced by media, including by: 

• Leading UNESCO’s inputs on the implementation of the Media Viability Manifesto and the Principles for Effective Support to the Media and Information Environment.
• Enhancing UNESCO's response to key challenges to media viability in the digital and AI era, including fair compensation, sustainable revenue models, new audience engagement patterns, and AI-related content use. 
• Managing the process of updating UNESCO’s Media Viability Indicators and identifying opportunities for their piloting.
• Leading outreach efforts for UNESCO’s resources on media viability, by developing and implementing a structured engagement strategy targeting Member States, media development organizations, media outlets, academic institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. This includes coordinating visibility efforts across UNESCO platforms, and strengthening partnerships that promote the uptake and application of UNESCO’s media viability guidance, tools, and research.
• Proactively identify and secure opportunities to promote UNESCO’s work on media viability—including conferences, partner events, and donor engagements—and prepare talking points, presentations, and briefing materials to support effective participation by UNESCO.
• Contributing to the preparation of the 2026 World Press Freedom Day, through the organization of at least one session related to media viability and support to independent, public-interest journalism.  
• Supporting the finalization and promotion of an evidence brief on the return on investment in supporting independent, public-interest journalism.  
• Contributing to UNESCO’s fundraising efforts in the area of media viability, by identifying relevant donors, mapping alignment between their priorities and UNESCO’s mandate on media viability, ensuring UNESCO’s eligibility, and preparing compelling outreach materials (concept notes, briefings, pitch decks). This also includes initiating or facilitating direct contact with at least three prospective donors, supporting follow-up communication, and contributing to the development of full project proposals where opportunities arise.

B.  Contribute to the preparation of the 70th IPDC Bureau meeting (June 2026) and 35th Council session (November 2026), including by: 

• Supporting the preparation and finalization of working documents and speeches.
• Drafting the IPDC Bureau’s 70th meeting report and Council’s 35th session report.

C.  Support the management of IPDC’s annual project cycle, including by contributing to the review process of proposals received by the IPDC Secretariat. 

D.  Other tasks within the field of IPDC’s work, as requested by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary to the IPDC. 

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Journalism/Media studies, international development, political sciences or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in project planning, coordination, and analysis in media development, international development, or related public policy fields.
• Proven experience in the preparation of official reports, briefing notes, or session documentation.
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience with UN agencies or IGOs.
• Experience in outreach, partnership-building, or donor engagement, including contributions to fundraising materials or proposal development.

 Skills/Competencies

• Good understanding of UNESCO's work to promote media development, media viability, safety of journalists and freedom of expression.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports, speeches, working documents, and donor materials.
• Excellent organization and planning skills, with proven capacity to manage multiple deadlines and support intergovernmental processes with discretion and sound judgement.
• Ability to conduct stakeholder outreach and identify funding opportunities, including preparing concise, compelling resource-mobilization materials.
• Solid computer skills including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, PowerPoint and Excel.  

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English. 

Long Description

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s institutional mandates and working procedures. 
• Innovative thinking.
• Experience related to media viability, media sustainability frameworks, or the economic challenges facing independent media is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the latest trends in the media sector.

Languages

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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
a)    an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
b)    a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.
c)    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.
d)    List of relevant publications, if any. Provide link or URL to view online. 

Part 2: Financial Proposal 
a)    A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR or USD and expressed on a monthly basis – and the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum. The monthly budget for this assignment is capped at USD 6,080/month conmensurate with the level of relevant professional experience. 

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

Additional information:
•    The selected candidate can work remotely. 
•    This consultant contract is for a period of 11 months, and the workload corresponds to a full-time consultancy. 
•    Estimated contract start date: February-March 2026.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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