Media Monitoring Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. Established in 1993, OHCHR works with governments to fulfill their human rights obligations, advocates for human rights, and provides a platform for addressing contemporary human rights challenges. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, engaging with various stakeholders to enhance the global human rights framework and ensure accountability for violations.

Job Overview:
The Media Monitoring Specialist will play a crucial role in establishing a systematic media monitoring function for the OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office. This position is essential for tracking developments with human rights implications across the Caribbean, enabling the office to remain vigilant about emerging issues and to better understand national and regional narratives. The specialist will be responsible for capturing trends, risks, and signals from both traditional and digital media, which will serve as a vital tool for early warning, situational awareness, and strategic planning in support of OHCHR’s mandate. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and analyzing media content related to human rights, providing timely briefings and alerts to inform advocacy and response strategies, and documenting media narratives that influence public perception and policy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct daily media scanning to review and summarize news from print, broadcast, and online sources, focusing on human rights themes such as civil liberties, environmental justice, gender equality, migration, national elections, rule of law, and rights of vulnerable groups.
• Identify and flag key stories or emerging trends that may require further analysis or high-level attention from OHCHR or its partners.
• Prepare and disseminate a concise weekly media digest that highlights noteworthy developments, trends, and opportunities for engagement from a human rights perspective.
• Maintain a searchable archive of relevant media coverage for internal use, organized by date, country, and thematic area.
• Provide real-time monitoring and rapid updates during national or regional crises, such as natural disasters or political unrest, to inform OHCHR’s response.
• Map and track influential journalists, media outlets, and civil society voices across the region that are relevant to human rights reporting and discourse.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically assess media content and identify human rights implications. Proficiency in media monitoring tools and techniques is essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a solid understanding of human rights issues and the media landscape in the Caribbean, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are also required to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, international relations, human rights, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred and may be considered an asset for candidates applying for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in media monitoring, communications, or a related field, preferably within a human rights or advocacy context. Experience working in the Caribbean region and familiarity with its media landscape will be highly advantageous. Demonstrated experience in analyzing media content and producing reports or briefings is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in the region. Proficiency in additional languages spoken in the Caribbean, such as Spanish or French, is considered a valuable asset and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve occasional travel within the Caribbean region. The role is expected to be based in the Bahamas, and candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic and often challenging environment. The OHCHR offers competitive compensation and benefits, including opportunities for professional development and training.