Project Officer (Media and Information Literacy)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Communication and Information Sector’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage. (The role of this vacant position does not include responsibility for UNESCO’s wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (ADG/CI), guidance from the Director of the Division for Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Media and Information Literacy, and the direct supervision of the Chief of Unit for Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies (CI/FMD/MIL), the incumbent is responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on projects and programmes relating to media and information literacy and digital competencies under the US Special Account. S/he will work within the framework of UNESCO’s approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and governing body decisions towards internationally agreed development goals, outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs).

Long Description

In particular, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Programme and Project Work

• Implement, monitor, evaluate and report on UNESCO MIL’s governance and policy work, with a focus on legal, regulatory, and digital policy and governance initiatives at global, regional, and national levels.
• Provide programme and project support: analyze specific data and needs and develop proposals; define and revise project requirements effectively by ensuring consistency with priorities and available financial resources; conduct feasibility studies and draft reports; develop schedules for monitoring and tracking project progress in close collaboration with project staff and stakeholders.
• Identify, propose and develop collaborative projects.
• Participate in UNESCO’s (C/5) programme, budget and policy formulation discussions.

Advice and Knowledge Management

• Provide information and technical advice to governments, peers, management and colleagues, including on tools, resources and policies.
• Remain aware of developments and advancements to inform and support governments, ministries and colleagues on policy formulation, project development, resources and best practices.
• Ensure technical backstopping for projects and events and provide technical support to colleagues, Field Offices and Institutes.
• Research, recommend and contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base in MIL’s field of competence, ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and its dissemination.
• Carry out research, trend and priorities analysis and recommend courses of action based on findings and provide inputs for the development of strategies and approaches.

Long Description

Networking and Partnerships

• Liaise with colleagues of UNESCO’s CI Sector and other Sectors, Field Offices, Institutes and stakeholders to create networks of expertise, identifying and discussing opportunities for collaboration.
• Attend and participate in meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars, contributing to advocacy efforts and promoting knowledge exchange.
• Reach out to public and private sector partners and stakeholders to support project development, funding and implementation, as well as relevant policies, strategies and plans.

Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to resource mobilization by playing an active role in funding and project proposal development, submission and follow-up.
• Prepare input to generate MIL-related funding and projects taking into account the priorities of stakeholders.
• Participate in fundraising events and activities.

Administrative Support

• Ensure support to events, key initiatives and conferences either hosted by UNESCO or where UNESCO’s presence is required; provide input to the biennial and medium-term strategies, programmes and budget and reports, as well as Statutory meetings; update and monitor expenditures; coordinate and/or prepare reports, notes, memoranda, briefings, speeches and other correspondence and documents, including news articles and social media contributions related to media and information literacy and digital competencies.
• Support the work of the CI/MIL Unit and carry out other specific duties contributing to the Sector’s mandate, particularly in relation to events, launches, campaigns, and other key communication activities.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communication and Information, Law, Media, or other related fields.

Work Experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of progressively relevant professional experience in communication and information and/or managing projects in the field of media, of which preferably two (2) years acquired at international level.
• Experience in coordinating partnerships and activities as part of the implementation of a major project/fund.
• Experience in resource mobilization involving a variety of contributions from different donors.

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent organizational and planning skills, following a results-based approach.
• Strong analytical, drafting and editing skills, and ability to draft, edit and produce reports on relevant issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to exchange information on complex issues.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills, results-based management and results-based budgeting.
• Excellent IT skills, with proficiency in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent understanding of UNESCO’s work to promote media and information literacy and digital competencies.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and manage competing priorities to meet established deadlines and deliver time-sensitive quality work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and very good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience working with the United Nations or a comparable international organization.

Skills/Competencies

• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s applications (e.g. DUO).
• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s administrative rules, regulations, procedures and standard practices.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).