Policy and Advocacy for Communication and Information

UNESCO is committed to fostering freedom of expression, media pluralism, and the ethical use of digital technologies to build inclusive societies rooted in universal access to information. UNESCO empowers key actors to ensure that fundamental freedoms especially freedom of expression and access to information align with international human rights standards. With more people actively using social media platforms, these spaces have become crucial for dialogue, networking, and self-expression. However, new and emerging challenges such as the proliferation of disinformation, hate speech, and algorithm-driven biases poses significant risks to democracy and public discourse. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital platforms introduces additional complexities. AI-driven algorithms shape online content, often amplifying biases, spreading disinformation, and impacting fundamental freedoms. UNESCO underscores the need for ethical AI governance frameworks to ensure these technologies promote transparency, accountability, and adherence to human rights standards. Other challenges especially the safety of journalists, particularly women journalists, remains a pressing concern. Online harassment, threats, and gender-based violence disproportionately target women in media, undermining their freedom of expression and access to equal participation in digital spaces. UNESCO continues to emphasize the importance of robust measures to protect journalists and ensure their safety, both online and offline, as a cornerstone of press freedom.

To address these challenges, UNESCO has launched different initiatives including Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms” in November 2023, Media and Information Literacy and integration of fundamental freedoms in AI. Anchored in the Windhoek+30 Declaration of 2021. Moreover, the recent Global Digital Compact and summit for the future has also emphasized on the importance of platform accountability, and digital literacy in combating harmful content while safeguarding fundamental rights.

In Pakistan, various developments are taking place in terms of establishing regulatory frameworks and legislations to navigate online content. By adopting a multi stakeholder approach there is a need to facilitate close working with relevant duty bearers to ensure that freedom of expression and access to information remain intact. 

Education:

• A master’s degree in public policy, management sciences and social sciences or any related field.

Experience:

It is desirable that the national consultant has:

• Five years of experience in conducting comprehensive stakeholder mapping and analysis, including government departments, duty bearers, academia, civil society organizations, and media groups, to identify synergies and enhance collaborative efforts
• Proven ability to assess current and planned governmental initiatives, as well as analyse legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, particularly those addressing disinformation, harmful online content, and digital freedom of expression
• Expertise in reviewing and documenting fact-checking initiatives by civil society, media organizations, international bodies, and government agencies, with an emphasis on evaluating their impact and sustainability
• Analytical skills in assessing repositories of national safety mechanisms for journalists to identify gaps, propose actionable improvements, and ensure alignment with international standards.
• Experience of engagement with technology companies and startups to explore innovative AI-driven solutions for combating disinformation and harmful content online.
• Experience of working with UN agencies is desirable

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent communication, analytical, report-writing skills and database packages.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Good knowledge and understanding of government functioning.
• Ability to take initiative and establish priorities, with capacity to work efficiently under pressure
• Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong understanding of Pakistan socio-economic landscape with a focus on freedom of expression, access to information and media development.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required, with proficiency in any other local languages spoken in the area being an added advantage.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Islamabad-ICC-Policy-and-Advocacy-for-Communication-and-Information/810874902/