Consultant (Senior Level) IPDC Secretariat
Remote | Paris
- Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Location: Remote | Paris
- Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
-
Occupational Groups:
- Closing Date: 2025-01-08
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)
Duty Station: Paris
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Communication and Information
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-JAN-2025
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, 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:
Long Description
A. Prepare the annual report on IPDC projects to be submitted to IPDC’s Bureau, by collecting and analyzing the individual implementation reports of all IPDC projects implemented in 2023 - 2024, using a Results-Based Management lens. The individual specialist will analyze the impact of IPDC’s support and its contribution to UNESCO’s priorities, and distill challenges and lessons learned. The length of the report will be approx. 40 standard pages (standard page = 320 words).
B. Contribute to the preparation of the 69th IPDC Bureau meeting (June 2025), including by supporting the preparation and finalization of high-quality working documents, speeches, briefings and reports.
C. Support the management of IPDC’s annual project cycle, including by contributing to the review process of proposals received by the IPDC Secretariat.
Long Description
D. Build further momentum for IPDC’s initiative to promote solutions to the viability challenges faced by media, including by:
- Lead UNESCO’s inputs on the implementation of the Media Viability Manifesto and the Principles for Effective Support to the Media and Information Environment.
- Manage a regional project to update the Media Viability Indicators and apply them in 3 countries of the Arab States region.
- Lead outreach efforts for UNESCO’s resources on media viability and provide substantive inputs to the development of a new brief on media viability.
- Contribute to UNESCO’s fundraising efforts in the area of media viability.
E. Provide guidance and backstopping for an IPDC-supported regional projects to set up an online platform for the safety of women journalists in Africa.
F. Support the process of developing a new UNESCO handbook on environmental reporting.
G. Other tasks within the field of IPDC’s work, as requested by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary to the IPDC.
Long Description
Deliverables:
Submit to UNESCO for approval:
a) By February 2025, a first monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
b) By March 2025, a second monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
c) By April 2025, a third monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
d) By May 2025, a fourth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
e) By June 2025, a fifth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
f) By July 2025, a sixth monthly report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
g) By August 2025, a seventh report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
h) By September 2025, an eight report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
i) By October 2025, a ninth report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
j) By November 2025, a tenth report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract
k) By December 2025, a final report to UNESCO summarizing the activities conducted under the umbrella of this contract.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
-
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 10 years of relevant professional experience in project planning, coordination, research, management, communication and/or editing in the area of international relations, media, development, or public policy.
- Relevant work experience with UN agencies, IGOs.
- Previous experience in working on media development and/or press freedom issues.
Skills/Competencies
- Good understanding of UNESCO's work to promote media development and freedom of expression.
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and ability to exchange, develop and summarize concise information on complex issues.
- Strong project management skills. Excellent analytical skills.
- Excellent organization and planning skills, and ability to prioritize assignments and deadlines. Discretion and maturity of judgement.
- Capacity to collect, digest, consolidate, synthesize and analyze a vast array of information and provide insights on complex issues.
- Solid computer skills including advanced knowledge of office software such as Word, Excel.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Skills/Competencies
- Knowledge of UNESCO’s institutional mandates and working procedures.
- Innovative thinking.
- Familiarity with the latest trends in the media sector.
Languages
- Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or 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
- an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment.
- 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.
- List of relevant publications, if any. Provide link or URL to view online.
Part 2: Financial Proposal
- 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.
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: ASAP, best second half of January 2025.
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.
Footer
UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.