National Consultant for Gender-Based Violence Media Project

Job Posting Organization:
The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was established in June 2023 under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. It serves as a regional platform uniting state and non-state actors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Alliance aims to advance coordinated, gender-transformative action to prevent and respond to GBV, supporting the implementation of national and international commitments such as CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration. It focuses on addressing gaps in GBV prevention and response, consolidating progress made in legal reform, institutional capacity-building, and strengthening women’s movements. The Alliance emphasizes the importance of dialogue, shared learning, and accountability, ensuring that the voices of civil society and survivors inform policy and practice. It operates with a commitment to addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and aims to create a life free from violence for women and girls in Central Asia.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will provide expertise in media, gender equality, and GBV reporting to develop effective, region-specific resources and implement media initiatives related to GBV in Central Asian countries. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV Coordinator and UN Women Kazakhstan, focusing on developing Terms of Reference (TORs) for media training and video courses for journalists. The role involves analyzing vendors, monitoring training implementation, and supporting media campaigns like HeForShe. The consultant will ensure that resources are designed for long-term impact, contributing to improvements in how GBV is communicated across the region. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure broad participation and effective training delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for several key activities:

• Collaborate with the Central Asian Alliance EGBV project team and UN Women country offices to develop two separate TORs for key activities, including a Training of Trainers program and a digital video online course for journalists.
• Identify and engage key stakeholders such as journalists and civil society organizations to ensure broad participation in training.
• Organize training events, select trainers and vendors, and ensure hybrid delivery for wider participation.
• Assist in the procurement process, including preparing documents and analyzing vendors.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess training effectiveness.
• Create a network for continuous improvement of training and provide strategic recommendations for sustainability.
• Compile a final report assessing training impact and recommending future steps.
• Support the #HeForShe campaign through social media publications and interviews.
• Conceptualize a regional media awards program to recognize ethical coverage of GBV, subject to project priorities.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong understanding of gender-based violence issues and best practices for ethical media coverage, particularly in the Central Asian context. Proven experience in designing and evaluating training programs on sensitive topics like GBV is essential. The consultant must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple activities and stakeholders effectively, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary, along with the ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans. Integrity, fairness, and adherence to UN values are critical, as well as proven competencies in coordination and teamwork.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Journalism, Media Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and media practices.

Experience:
A minimum of 7+ years of proven experience in media and journalism is required, with a focus on gender-sensitive reporting and GBV issues. Experience in designing and delivering training programs for journalists, particularly in culturally diverse contexts, is essential. Familiarity with gender equality issues in Central Asia and experience working with government institutions and civil society organizations on gender equality initiatives are highly valued. Knowledge of international frameworks related to gender equality and GBV is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Russian and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Central Asian region may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based with regular meetings as required and potential travel within the Central Asian region. The position emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and adherence to UN Women’s policies, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Candidates must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.