Digital Media Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The UNESCO Office in Kathmandu, established in 1998, contributes to building peace, alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable development and intercultural dialogue in Nepal through education, science, culture, communication and information.

UNESCO works to attain quality education for all, focusing on gender equality and adult literacy, to mobilize scientific knowledge and science policy for sustainable development, to preserve cultural heritage, promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, and to empower people through the free flow of ideas and access to information and knowledge. To achieve these objectives, UNESCO actively participates in the work of the UN Country Team in Nepal and closely cooperates with other development partners in the country.

Through its Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO is mandated to promote freedom of expression, media freedom, media development and to advocate for the rights and safety of journalists. To promote media professionalism, pluralism, diversity, and digital development for building inclusive knowledge societies, the office closely engages with national and international stakeholders.

In the area of Communication and Information, UNESCO has two major interventions outlined its present country strategy - i) Foster Digital Transformation, and ii) Promote Quality and Inclusive Journalism. UNESCO works with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), National Human Rights Commission, Federation of Nepali Journalists, Press Council Nepal, National Information Commission, Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal, UNESCO clubs, youth associations, and other UN agencies.

The UNV assignment is part of key intervention area of fostering digital transformation, the UNV will work with Communication and Information Unit and support UNESCO work with Ministry of Communication, mainstream-national media, and community radios. Likewise, assignment includes supporting the office in promoting openness and the innovative use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to reduce the digital divide and foster an inclusive digital transformation that respects and protect human rights. In this regard, the UNV will also support UN and UNESCO initiatives that promote digital safety and counter online hate speech.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the head of Communication and Information Unit and overall supervision of the head of the office, the UNV Innovation and Digital Media Specialist will:

1. Contribute to UNESCO’s role to build competencies among women, youth and indigenous people for the advancement of digital skills and competencies which enable them to access accurate information relevant to their lives and provide them greater agency;
2. Support the consolidation of existing expertise and engagement with stakeholders to establish effective and evidence-based linkages between people’s online behavior, their use of the Internet as well as contributing the Organization’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) work.
3. Support the Office’s efforts to promote best practice in online digital safety and counter hate speech, especially among young people as well as journalists and media professionals;
4. Contribute to the development activities such as national dialogues concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics and policies with government and non-government stakeholders and contribute the office in development of activities/ proposals for relevant partnerships;
5. Support UNESCO’s work with government, civil society and the private sector as related to the ongoing assessment of the Internet Universality Indicators based on UNESCO’s R.O.A.M - X principles
6. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor and the head of the office.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Expected Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNESCO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNESCO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• New partnerships with government, civil society and private sector concerning MIL, Countering Hate Speech, online safety and AI developed; • A national dialogue on AI policy and ethics is conducted; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNESCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNESCO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNESCO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNESCO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Government, non-government organisation, private sector, universities of educational institutions at national and/or international level or other relevant programmes; experience with innovation and digital inclusion is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Excellent knowledge and ability to streamline UNESCO priority areas with the government’s priority; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, power point, photo shop, in-design etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest in freedom of expression, media development, access to information and gender equality, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.