OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station: Yangon

Job Family: Communication and Information

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 25-JAN-2026

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

1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

UNESCO works to create an enabling environment for a free, independent, and pluralistic media by promoting and protecting freedom of expression, safety of journalists, access to information and fostering a media and information literate society. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under Goal 16, recognizes the importance of “access to information, fundamental freedoms and the safety of journalists for the creation of peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.” The project “MultiDonor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists” aims to help facilitate UNESCO’s work in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) serves to further strengthen UNESCO’s work at a global, regional, and national levels, by channeling funds towards emerging priorities and the most pressing needs to achieve its mandate on freedom of expression, media development, and media and information literacy. It enables UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector to address complex issues through the design and implementation of holistic medium and long-term interventions at national, regional and global levels.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Antenna Office (hereafter UNESCO Office) in Yangon is working with a wide range of stakeholders, including the international and local media development organizations, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), journalists and media associations, on several activities to promote freedom of expression and access to information. These activities include awareness raising on freedom of expression and safety of journalists, capacity building programmes and multimedia campaigns to promote Media and Information Literacy and advocacy for the development of community media in Myanmar. UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon also supports capacity building of journalist on such areas as reporting on ethnic, cultural, and religious issues, strengthen the capacity of community media to promote diversity and pluralism, enhance awareness and dialogue on diversity, and pluralism of youth and women, and peace education as intersectoral activities.

2. OBJECTIVE

To engage an Individual Specialist to provide technical and advisory support to the UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon, specifically for the Communication and Information (CI) Unit. The specialist will contribute expertise in resource mobilization, project planning, and implementation in key areas including freedom of expression, press freedom, journalist safety, prevention of hate speech, development of community media, and promotion of media and information literacy. Additionally, the specialist will support coordination efforts aimed at safeguarding and preserving Myanmar’s tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage

3. WORK ASSIGNMENT

The Individual specialist shall perform the tasks under the direct supervision of the Head of UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon, and in close collaboration with the UNESCO Communication and Information Unit in Myanmar. The Individual specialist's responsibilities include the following:

1. Provide technical expertise to support the planning and implementation of 2026-2027 projects under the guidance of UNESCO Programme Specialist.
2. Engage CSOs, news media organizations, journalist networks, and humanitarian actors in promoting freedom of expression, press freedom, safety of journalists, access to information, and media and information literacy.
3. Support fundraising and resource mobilization activities, including preparation of background/technical information (e.g., concept notes, programme/project proposals, presentation slides) for donor communication.
4. Assist with donor engagement and contribute to the development of proposals and budgets in close collaboration with the Head of Office and UNESCO Programme Specialist.
5. Provide technical inputs to project reports, work plans, and budgets, and contribute to technical documents under the guidance of UNESCO Programme Specialist.
6. Undertake any other supportive activities as requested by the Head of UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon and relevant teams.

4. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The consultant will provide inputs and technical support for the following deliverables, which will be finalized by UNESCO Programme Specialist:
1. Contribute to a strategic review of 2025 resource mobilization efforts, including donor engagement outcomes and media coverage highlights, by 27 February 2026.
2. Provide inputs for the 2026 Cl workplan, including proposed concept notes under intersectoral themes and media coverage highlights, by 27 March 2026.
3. Support the update of the 2026 resource mobilization strategy, including key concept notes and media coverage highlights, by 27 April 2026.
4. Contribute to a review of initiatives implemented in 2025-2026, with recommendations and areas for development, by 27 May 2026.
5. Assist in developing proposals for upcoming funding cycles under MDP and provide media coverage highlights, by 27 June 2026.
6. Provide inputs for a mid-year resource mobilization report, highlighting progress, gaps, and donor engagement outcomes, by 27 July 2026.
7. Support drafting concept notes for potential funding opportunities to aid external fundraising efforts, by 27 August 2026.
8. Contribute to at least two tailored project proposals to targeted donors, by 27 September 2026.
9. Assist in reviewing submitted proposals and identifying new funding windows for concept note development, by 27 October 2026.
10. Provide inputs to update the donor mapping annex with new contacts, funding cycles, and sample concept notes aligned with donor focus areas, by 27 November 2026.
11. Support preparation of a comprehensive year-end Resource Mobilization Report, including performance analysis, lessons learned, and Ql 2027 priorities, by 27 December 2026.

5. Location and Travel

The consultant will be based in Yangon during the contract period. The consultant may be required to travel on missions directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The consultant should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The consultant is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties.

6. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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7. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (minimum Master’s) in a relevant field such as Journalism, media and communications, public information, public policy or a related field from an accredited academic institution

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in in a relevant field.
• Experience in working for media development-related sector.
• Experience in working in a political sensitiveness or peacebuilding mission.
• Experience in working and negotiating with CSOs partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Guide administrative Staff to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review.
• Knowledge of graphic design, web, social media and video production.
• Excellent knowledge of English and Myanmar (spoken and written).
• Ability to work efficiently, under pressure, and in a multi-cultural environment.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong analytical, facilitation, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines, while also contributing effectively as part of a team.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English and Burmese (written and spoken).

8. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience within UN system or international organizations.
• Familiarity with UN programming policies and procedures.
• Experience in human rights, media literacy, gender equality and youth engagement

9. Application Process

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.

1) An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
2) Written technical and financial proposals (in English):

• Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 4, A4 pages), a detailed workplan showing a timeline for completion of activities, the assignment’s important activities/deliverables and milestones/deadlines and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and
• The proposed monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD covering the total duration of 5 months.
3) Contact details of three (3) referees, including names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of individuals familiar with your professional work.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Contractor is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts wherever feasible.

Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

Assessment

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note:

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

10. Selection and Recruitment Process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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