OVERVIEW

Duty Station: Phnom Penh

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) : 31/08/2023

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I. Background

As the United Nations agency with a specific mandate to promote freedom of expression, UNESCO, has played a leading role globally in mobilizing international support to assist the Member States in promoting freedom of expression and media development and advocating for a safe, diverse, pluralistic and independent media environment. The Communication and Information Unit (CI) strives to foster freedom of expression, media development, and access to information and knowledge in line with UNESCO’s mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”. UNESCO defends and promotes freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism, and the building of inclusive knowledge societies underpinned by universal access to information and the innovative use of digital technologies. In Cambodia, UNESCO is working, in close collaboration with all media stakeholders, to foster a safe, free, pluralistic and independent media environment conducive to greater freedom of expression. This includes our support to strengthen legislative frameworks, in line with international standards, to ensure all Cambodians enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and universal access to information, both online and offline. Within the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, UNESCO is spearheading its implementation at the country level to strengthen protection mechanisms for the safety of reporters, and building the capacity of the media sector to raise the professional standards of journalism. Special attention is provided to women journalists, who are particularly vulnerable in the profession and lack equal professional development opportunities. An International Consultant is required to support the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, in close coordination with the relevant line ministries, media stakeholders, and civil society organizations, to provide technical assistance in strengthening media related legislation, in line with international human rights standards, support the implementation of national mechanisms for the protection of journalists within the framework of the UN Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, and provide technical assistance on digital transformation related initiatives, among other tasks.

Long Description

II. Scope of the assignment

Under the overall authority and the direct supervision of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia and Head of Office, and in close collaboration with the Communication and Information Unit (CI) team of UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, the International Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
1. Provide technical assistance to support the implementation of on-going media development and freedom of expression programmes, in close coordination with the relevant line ministries, media stakeholders and civil society organization, particularly through:
a) Provide technical support in reviewing and strengthening the development and amendment of media related legislation, in line with international human rights and freedom of expression standards, through developing legal analysis and policy briefs, organizing and facilitating policy dialogues and consultations with relevant authorities and media stakeholders;
b) Provide technical assistance in the design and delivery of work-plans, strategies and activities for the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in Cambodia, through strengthening national safety mechanisms for journalists, preparing training manuals, presentation slides and needs assessments, delivering sensitization training and workshops for journalists and authorities, and providing advice and capacity building to local stakeholders, to strengthen their capacities to support the establishment and operationalization of safety mechanisms in Cambodia.

2. Provide technical support in maintaining and strengthening strategic partnerships and coalitions with relevant stakeholders and raising the profile of the issues of media development, freedom of expression and safety of journalists, in close coordination with development partners, media associations and civil society organizations, through:
a) Ensuring the active functioning of Media Development Working Group (MDWG) by organizing regular meetings to foster mutual exchange and discuss solutions for promoting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in Cambodia, through preparing background notes, agenda and concept notes, and meeting minutes;
b) Supporting in the design and organization of events to commemorate International Days in relation to Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, and the Safety of Journalists to raise their visibility and profile in the national development agenda and foster dialogue among relevant media stakeholders;

Long Description

3. Provide technical review of on-going and upcoming assessments and research reports across all areas of CI’s work in Cambodia on media development, freedom of expression and safety of journalists through providing technical inputs and working closely with the contractors and partners to revise and finalize the knowledge products for further dissemination and implementation.

4. Conduct analysis and research to identify innovative and solutions-oriented approaches to strengthen media viability/sustainability, freedom of expression, and safety of journalists in Cambodia, including through developing project concept notes, organizing consultations with relevant media stakeholders, and preparing briefing papers and background documents.
5. Provide technical assistance to facilitate UNESCO’s support towards digital transformation and digitalization in Cambodia, including the ethics of Artificial Intelligence, including through research and analysis, project concept note development and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

6. Carry out other work or responsibility as assigned by the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, in close coordination with the CI team.

III. Deliverables

As the International Consultant will support the daily implementation of CI Unit’s programmes, it is expected she/he will submit monthly reports to their supervisor(s) before each monthly payment.

IV. Contract duration, location, and other conditions

The duration of the contract will be for a period of 6 months, from September 2023 to February 2024, with a possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance. It is expected the International Consultant will be based at UNESCO Phnom Penh office for the duration of the contract with some missions to attend some events at province where necessary.

Long Description

V. Required qualifications and experience

Education: Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent and above) in journalism, media development, media management, communications, social/political science, human rights or related field.
Work Experience: At least 4-7 years of relevant professional experience in the field of journalism, media development and/or human rights with a focus on providing technical assistance on media related legislation and safety of journalists, project implementation, and policy analysis. Good knowledge of the media development and freedom of expression context in Southeast Asia is desirable.
Language
• Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory.
Skills and competencies
a. Proven conceptual and analytical skills, including the demonstrated ability to provide advice and technical support on media development, access to information, journalists’ safety, freedom of expression, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation.
b. Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
c. Proven capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships inside and outside the organization.
d. Good Knowledge and understanding of the government functioning.
e. Solid understanding of the global and regional Freedom of Expression and media context.
f. Ability to take initiatives, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure.
g. Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, solid team skills.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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How to apply:
Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and submit the following documents:

1. A letter of interest explaining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the position.
2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
3. Fee proposal or price proposal by indicating monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above, including travel and other related costs. Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered.
4. The contact details of three referees.

Your application should be submitted by e-mail to [email protected], no later than, 31 August 2023 (23.59.00 GMT+0700 SE Asia Standard Time), indicating in the subject: “International Consultant – Media Development Cambodia.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever possible.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.