Purpose of Consultancy
The UNFPA Regional Humanitarian Hub for Syria and the Arab States (The Hub) is seeking to contract a Media and Communications Consultant to support The Hub’s Regional Media Programme, which focuses primarily on building the capacities of journalists and media professionals on how to report on the issues impacting women and girls, particularly genderbased violence. The consultant will co-lead the development of a comprehensive knowledge product on the topic, based on a series of consultations with key stakeholders, including journalists, experts, service providers, and others. The Regional Media Programme was launched by The Hub in 2014 to help journalists to report on gender-based violence (and more broadly on issues related to women and girls) more ethically and professionally, and to support the media in producing such reports more frequently. Over the years, the hub has hosted a wide range of training programmes for and consultations with journalists of various levels of experience throughout the region. These events have been extremely well received by the journalists themselves while also providing opportunities for UNFPA in terms of media relations, visibility, and agency. Since launch, the programme has reached more than 800 journalists who were directly trained, while more than 1,500 received crucial awareness support as an extension of these training efforts. Moreover, many of these journalists went on to produce additional content on GBV and continue to refer to (and partner with) UNFPA when developing their stories. The programme has also collaborated with the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) of Rutgers University as well as a multitude of knowledge products that continue to aid journalists in their reporting. In 2022, The Hub aims to further the reach of this programme by expanding its key knowledge products. Over the course of 2022, consultations will be held with journalists, women’s rights activists, UN partners and partner agencies, as well as other key stakeholders to inform the process of shaping these products, identifying key priorities moving forward, and addressing awareness/experience gaps among new and aspiring journalists.
The consultant will be hired to specifically:
● Organise a series of key informant interviews and consultations with journalists and other stakeholders on the challenges impeding their reporting, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, agreeing on key action points moving forward, and assimilating inputs received. These events should serve as
● Deliver a comprehensive knowledge product on the principles of reporting on women and girls with a specific focus on SRHR, based on existing and new knowledge obtained through UNFPA consultations with the media and other stakeholders. The product should incorporate new insights and evolutions in the media industry to provide a comprehensive, updated, localised, and useful guide that can be referenced by journalists for the next three years.
● Help define the trajectory and priorities of the programme beyond 2022
Kick-off call: An introductory call with The Hub to brief the consultant on the programme and key priorities moving forward.
● Introductory regional call with country offices: An introductory call with a minimum of 6 country offices to brief them on the plan, generate interest and buyin, and communicate expectations.
● Inception report: A basic overview of the methodology that will be followed to gather the key data, including who will be interviewed/consulted, when, where, and how. This should include specific recommendations (individual journalists, publications, organisations, etc.), with each recommendation linked to the approved roadmap of the knowledge product.
● Conducting Key informant interviews with select individuals from humanitarian countries: Interviews with select UNFPA staff, journalists, GBV/ WRA experts, and stakeholders involved in the reporting process (editors, NGOs, legal experts, government agencies, etc.). Up to 40 KII are expected. This includes the summary of findings to inform stakeholder consultation.
● Stakeholder consultation event: The hybrid consultation event should bring together a wide range of representatives from key stakeholder groups, including journalists, editors, GBV specialists, women’s rights activists, in addition to UN agencies, partner organisations, local NGOs, etc. The objective of the event is to create a platform for constructive dialogue in a manner that directly feeds into the knowledge product being developed. A short consultation report should be provided at the conclusion of the event
Knowledge product: A general summary of the structure, content, approach, companion products, and other relevant information for approval; o A first draft of the Knowledge product for review including Presentation of the product and region-wide review process. o Final knowledge product
Duration and Working Schedule: This position is home based and is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of their location. The consultant will be expected to travel to Amman, Jordan for one main consultation event (please refer to the list of deliverables) if the Covid 19 situations allows. The duration of the contract will be from 10th August to 30th November 2022.
Nature of Consultancy: Remotely
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g., electronic, hard copy etc.):
Kick-off call- Early-mid August
Introductory regional call with country offices -Mid-August
Inception report - Mid-August
Key informant interviews with select individuals from humanitarian countries- Mid-August to early September
Stakeholder consultation event - Mid to late September
Knowledge Product outline - Early October
draft of Knowledge product -10th oct
Final knowledge product -Mid November
Monitoring will be based on the quality of the data provided from key informant interviews/consultations, feedback received by key stakeholders, and the engagement following publication (website views, shares, etc.).
Supervisor Arrangements: The Consultant will report to the Communication Specialist
Expected Travel: Travel to Amman, Jordan to organise/attend one major consultation with journalists and stakeholders (covid situations allowing)
Requirements:
● A minimum of 7 years’ experience in media, journalism, communications, or related fields.
Experience in the Arab region is preferred.
● Excellent English writing and editing skills and the ability to read and write Arabic.
● Demonstrated experience in organising and coordinating large-scale events and workshops, particularly events that feature a diversity of participants and stakeholders.
● Demonstrated ability to turn content into powerful narratives / stories, collaborating with a global network of communicators in a multicultural environment.
● Hands-on expertise and creative flair to develop compelling content for diverse audiences.
● Experience working with researchers and technical experts.
● Excellent organisational, project management, and planning skills.
● Demonstrated experience developing content around issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights is an asset.
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable: UNFPA will provide the consultant with: - Past materials, guidance notes, and essential information - Guidance on each deliverable - Contacts, particularly those within UNFPA’s own network - Instant feedback on deliverables
UNFPA Work Environment: UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
How to apply:
Interested individuals with the required qualifications and experience should submit their application to mazahreh@unfpa.org , with the subject line “Media & Communications Consultancy”. The application should include:
• A consultancy technical proposal
• A cover letter indicating the candidate’s motivation for this consultancy and relevant expertise and experience.
• A copy of academic qualifications (University Degree).
• Duly completed P11 UN Personal History Form (only P11 Form will be considered)
• A proven record of similar work experience.
• Names and contact information of three references.
The closing date for the submission of applications is 10 August 2022.
Only those candidates who meet all qualifications and experience will be contacted for further consideration. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
