Terms of Reference
Title: CI Senior National Consultant
Sector: Communication and Information (CI)
Organizational Unit: UNESCO Khartoum Office
Primary Location: Khartoum
Duration of Contract: 11 months
Remuneration: As per UNESCO scale
Deadline of Submission: 15 January 2023, midnight
Background:
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
In the Sector of Communication and Information (CI), UNESCO protects and promotes freedom of expression, free, independent and pluralistic media, and the building of inclusive knowledge societies underpinned by universal access to information and the innovative use of digital technologies. By adopting a multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach, UNESCO works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders across the world to develop and implement targeted actions that are born out of local needs, which ensures a holistic and results-based approach.
As the year 2023 is approaching and the political situation in Sudan is stabilizing, the CI Sector programs are expected to increase. The need for a senior national consultant with expertise in freedom of expression and media freedom to work towards the success & implementation of these programs in the CI Sector is necessary to ensure the achievement of desired results.
This ToR is related to the Media Development Program and Media Reform for Sudan and comes under the project Media Laws Reform in Sudan.
Tasks:
Under the general authority of the Head of UNESCO Khartoum Office and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the consultant shall perform the following tasks:
Programme management: Manage the implementation of UNESCO’s mandate in the CI sector in Sudan including but not limited to enabling an environment for free, independent and pluralistic media, strengthening the capacities of journalists, reinforcing media policies, promoting the safety of journalists, (promotion of the UN action plan for the safety of journalists), digital innovation, and countering hate speech and violent extremism.
Project implementation: In particular, lead the implementation of the UNESCO’s Media Reform Roadmap for Sudan, in consultation with and in cooperation with all relevant stakeholder, including policy-makers, the judiciary, law enforcement, media outlets, journalists’ associations, civil society and the UN system.
Fundraising: Contribute to the development of the CI Sector issues in Sudan, based on identified needs, through the development of new projects and fund-raising activities especially among conventional and non-conventional donors in Sudan in coordination with the Head of Office.
Funding: Support the UNESCO CI mandate, in particular journalist’s capacity building in Sudan through supporting the national commission of UNESCO and other journalists NGOs to develop proposals for the IPDC and participatory programs in the CI sector.
Visibility: Ensure the visibility of UNESCO in CI projects, current and future, in close collaboration with relevant national and international entities in Sudan and UNESCO’s HQ, Cairo Office & Beirut Office.
In cooperation with the office communications officer work with national and international partners to promote the celebration of CI related days including but not limited to International Radio Day, International Day of Impunity for crimes against journalists, World Press Freedom Day, International Day for Access to Information.
Maintain an up-to-date database of national NGOs and activists, online newspapers, newspaper editors, government senior officials of the media sector, media professionals in UN and other international agencies and embassies.
Ensure the visibility of UNESCO CI projects, prepare, disseminate, and present UNESCO’s CI educational materials and reports, event summaries to and from the Sudanese Media Community including National and International partners.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree in journalism, mass communication or human rights law, with expertise in freedom of expression, or relevant experience of no less than two years in the field of journalism, media development, or related fields.
Desired Experience:
Worked in the Media sector in Sudan or in another country for at least 710 years.
Have knowledge about the dayto-day journalism practice, Media Law, Freedom of Expression and Rule of Law, Countering Hate Speech and Violent Extremism, Digital Security (desired but not required), Safety of Journalists, and the UN action plan for the safety of journalists.
Knowledge of fundraising (desired but not required).
Experience in proposal writing and reporting.
Has the ability to lead national groups of diverse backgrounds while focusing on the required objectives.
Preferred Experience:
Candidate awareness about the UN, particularly UNESCO.
Skills/Competencies:
Communication Skills
Excellent writing skills
Capacity to design and implement training modules
Proven skills in leading training modules (desired but not required).
Strong ability to speak and write in Arabic and English
Has the ability to work comfortably with national & international partners in the media community.
How to Apply:
To apply, please express your interest by sending your technical and financial offer, each described according to the tasks stated as well as your CV in English by email to:
not later than 15 January 2023 by midnight (Sudan time). Please specify the subject line: ‘Application to CI Senior National Consultant”.