Individual Specialist for Communication and Information

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. Established in 1945, UNESCO has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO works with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its goals. The organization emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental human rights and essential components of democratic societies. UNESCO's work in Myanmar focuses on promoting freedom of expression, safety of journalists, and media literacy, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges faced by the media sector in the country.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Specialist for Communication and Information at UNESCO's Antenna Office in Yangon is designed to provide technical and advisory support specifically for the Communication and Information (CI) Unit. The specialist will play a crucial role in enhancing UNESCO's efforts to promote freedom of expression, press freedom, and the safety of journalists in Myanmar. This role involves engaging with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), media organizations, and humanitarian actors, to foster an environment conducive to media development and information literacy. The specialist will also be responsible for resource mobilization, project planning, and implementation, ensuring that UNESCO's initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which emphasizes the importance of access to information and fundamental freedoms. The position requires a proactive approach to addressing complex issues related to media and information, and the specialist will be expected to contribute to the development of community media and advocate for the safety and rights of journalists.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Individual Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical expertise to support the planning and implementation of projects for the years 2026-2027 under the guidance of the UNESCO Programme Specialist.
• Engaging with civil society organizations, news media organizations, journalist networks, and humanitarian actors to promote freedom of expression, press freedom, and safety of journalists.
• Supporting fundraising and resource mobilization activities, including the preparation of background and technical information for donor communication.
• Assisting with donor engagement and contributing to the development of proposals and budgets in collaboration with the Head of Office and UNESCO Programme Specialist.
• Providing technical inputs to project reports, work plans, and budgets, and contributing to technical documents as guided by the UNESCO Programme Specialist.
• Undertaking any other supportive activities as requested by the Head of UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon and relevant teams. The specialist will also be responsible for delivering specific outputs, such as strategic reviews of resource mobilization efforts, updates to work plans, and contributions to funding proposals and reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (minimum Master’s) in a relevant field such as Journalism, media and communications, public information, public policy, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field is required, particularly in media development. Experience working in politically sensitive environments or peacebuilding missions is essential, along with a proven track record of negotiating with CSO partners and relevant stakeholders. Candidates should also have knowledge of graphic design, web, social media, and video production, as well as excellent communication skills in both English and Myanmar languages, both spoken and written. The ability to work efficiently under pressure and in a multicultural environment is crucial.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree, in fields related to journalism, media and communications, public information, or public policy. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of media development and the role of communication in fostering freedom of expression and safety for journalists.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field, particularly in media development. Candidates should have experience working in politically sensitive environments or peacebuilding missions, which is critical for navigating the challenges faced in the media sector in Myanmar. Additionally, experience in working with civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders is necessary, as is the ability to guide administrative staff in work planning and quality review.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English and Burmese (Myanmar) languages, both written and spoken. Proficiency in these languages is mandatory for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including local media organizations and civil society groups. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is non-staff and is expected to last between 7 to 11 months. The recruitment is open to external candidates, and the consultant will be based in Yangon during the contract period. The consultant may be required to travel for missions related to project implementation, and travel arrangements will be made in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. The consultant will receive a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) at the standard rate for travel-related expenses. The position emphasizes the importance of integrating a gender perspective in all activities and applying gender analysis wherever feasible. UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity and encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds.