ASSISTANT PROJECT OFFICER

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : NO-A (ICS-8) level of the local UNDP salary scale

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-OCT-2020

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

Within the framework of UNESCO Communication and Information (CI) programme, in particular its Main Line of Action 1 ‘Fostering freedom of expression online and offline, promoting all aspects of the safety of journalists, advancing diversity and participation in media, and supporting independent media’, and under the overall authority of the Director of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervision of the Adviser for Communication and Information, the incumbent shall coordinate and implement UNESCO’s programme on freedom of expression and media development in the Mekong countries.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

In particular, s/he will:

• Plan, organize and facilitate seminars, workshops and public events to promote freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists in the Mekong countries, including online, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including UNESCO field offices, UN agencies, NGOs, academia and governmental agencies;
• Coordinate and provide technical support to build the capacity of media and journalists on ethical and professional reporting, including gender sensitive reporting;
• Develop and implement activities for strengthening media and information literacy (MIL) education, in particular towards youth, and capacity of journalism education institutions in the Mekong countries to fight against disinformation;
• Implement activities to support and facilitate the networking of journalists, in particular women journalists, and sharing of experiences among media institutions on the good practices to sustain the viability of independent media in the Mekong countries;

• Explore and propose partnerships with media, private sector, government institutions and help to mobilize  support for media development and freedom of expression;
• Prepare communication materials such as articles, flyers, videos, PPT, infographics, etc. in close coordination with the Public Information and Outreach Unit of UNESCO Bangkok, and coordinate public information campaigns, including online;
• Prepare and submit activity implementation reports as required by UNESCO;
• Develop project proposals and support the CI Unit in identifying possible donors and mobilizing funding for projects on freedom of expression and media development;
• Collect and keep up-to date relevant country situation and background information relating to the CI programme in the Mekong countries;
• Perform any other duties as required by the Director of UNESCO Bangkok and the Advisor for Communication and Information.

Education

• University degree (Master’s or Bachelor’s) in communication, journalism, media studies, international relations or other related fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum two (2) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of working experience in the field of communication, journalism, media,  international relations or other related fields, at the national or regional level.

Skills and competencies

• Proven ability to plan, implement and report on programme actions and projects
• Good project management skills
• Ability to participate effectively in negotiations with internal and external partners
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) with ability to communicate effectively and persuasively
• Ability to work in a team in a multicultural environment
• Ability to take initiatives, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure.
• Excellent IT and knowledge management skills, with good understanding of emerging communication and information technologies and their potential us

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Work Experience

• Experience within the UN System or international organizations operating in the field of freedom of expression and media development
• Experience in Mekong countries or Southeast Asia

Skills and competencies 

• Knowledge of media development field and political sensitivity.
• Knowledge of UNESCO/UN rules and procedures.

Languages

• Knowledge of a language of Mekong countries is an asset.