Consultant for Ocean Literacy for Journalists

Job Posting Organization:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on ocean science, observation, services, and capacity development. Established to promote international cooperation, the IOC coordinates programs aimed at understanding the oceans and coastal areas, enhancing sustainable management, and protecting marine environments. The IOC plays a pivotal role in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), which emphasizes the importance of ocean literacy and stewardship. The IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) operates as the regional arm of the IOC, facilitating ocean knowledge and cooperation in the Western Pacific region. The WESTPAC Office, hosted by the Government of Thailand, is located in Bangkok and collaborates closely with the UNESCO Regional Office to achieve its objectives.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for Ocean Literacy for Journalists involves enhancing the understanding of ocean science among journalists and media professionals in Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive scoping assessment to identify media groups, assess ocean literacy gaps, and develop priority activities to improve journalists' knowledge and capacity regarding ocean issues. This role is crucial for fostering informed public discourse and driving collective action towards sustainable ocean governance. The consultant will work remotely but must be available for virtual meetings during Bangkok's official working hours. The assignment is expected to last from one to six months, depending on the project's needs and the consultant's availability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks:

• Identification of target media groups and potential partners at the national level, including mapping key national and local media outlets, journalism associations, and individual journalists involved in environmental and ocean reporting.
• Conducting a needs and capacity development assessment in collaboration with identified target groups and partners to evaluate existing initiatives and identify gaps and challenges in ocean literacy among journalists.
• Reviewing existing ocean literacy tools, materials, and methods to analyze their effectiveness and relevance to the Western Pacific context.
• Co-designing priority activities with national partners based on assessment results, including the development of tailored tools and approaches to address specific needs over the next two years. The consultant will also be required to prepare an inception report and a final report consolidating all findings and analyses related to the assignment objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in education, ocean or environmental science, journalism, international development, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as ocean literacy, public outreach, science communication, or environmental journalism is required, with at least two years of experience at the international level. Strong initiative, organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate excellent drafting skills, analytical abilities, and the capacity to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in fields related to education, ocean or environmental science, journalism, international development, or similar disciplines is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of ocean literacy and the communication strategies necessary for effective outreach.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in ocean literacy, public outreach, science communication, or environmental journalism. Candidates should have at least two years of experience at the international level, which is vital for understanding the global context of ocean issues and the role of media in addressing them.

Languages:
A strong command of written and spoken English is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of a relevant local language from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, or Thailand is considered an asset. Familiarity with another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is also advantageous, as it may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy ranges from one to six months, depending on project requirements. The position is classified as external recruitment, and the consultant will work remotely from any location. However, they must be available for virtual meetings during Bangkok's official working hours (UTC+7). The consultant may also be required to travel for project-related missions, with travel expenses covered according to UNESCO regulations. The consultant is responsible for their travel arrangements and must obtain security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearance for any approved missions. The payment schedule is based on deliverables, with an inception report due two weeks after the contract start date and a final report due three months after the first deliverable.