Myanmar: INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT

Background:
Over a period of the past few years, Myanmar has experienced an expansion of traditional mass media, a rapid adoption of the internet and mobile technologies by a growing number of users, especially among the youth population. While these provide an opportunity for more participation in the democratic discourse and engagement in the peace process of Myanmar, the changes come with some challenges such as proliferation of hate speech, misinformation and need for protection of youths in the online world (cyber-bullying, defamation, privacy, etc.). In a context of growing tensions in Myanmar, UNESCO aims to integrate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and digital citizenship in teacher curriculum and training to support teachers to acquire skills for protecting children online, promoting intercultural understanding and unity amidst diversity to ensure a far-reaching impact.
UNESCO has been engaged in the media development sector to promote freedom of expression, press freedom and right to information since 2012 in Myanmar. It has supported the establishment of the first and only journalism degree programme in Myanmar at the National Management Degree College and implemented activities to strengthen the capacity of journalists in various aspects of their professional skills and competencies. In close partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Myanmar, UNESCO also supports the on-going reform efforts in the pre-service teacher education system through policy and institutional capacity development in Myanmar’s Education Colleges (ECs). One of the important reforms is to upgrade ECs from two-year diploma granting institutions to four-year degree granting institutions, with a view to improving quality of teachers.
Given Myanmar’s on-going rapid social transformation, the education reform it is undertaking as well as the diversification of providers and platforms through which news and information is disseminated and shared, UNESCO is seeking a consultant to provide programmatic and technical support for 1) the development of a curriculum and materials on MIL and digital citizenship targeting teachers; 2) the design and production of advocacy and communication materials highlighting the role of quality teachers and teacher education reform in the overall transformation of the country; and 3) the review of a media development strategy of UNESCO in light of the transformative shifts in Myanmar.
Work Assignment:
Under the overall authority of the Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervision of Head of Project Office in Myanmar, and working in close collaboration with programme units in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Design and develop the units on information and media literacy and digital citizenship in the EC ICT student teacher textbooks and teacher educator guides. Following the development guidelines for student teacher textbooks and teacher educator guides, the student teacher textbooks should include relevant reading text, learning activities and reference materials based on the EC ICT syllabus. The teacher educator guides should provide necessary instructions to teacher educators to deliver the units effectively to groups of student teachers at ECs;
2. Develop relevant training materials and facilitate training workshops/ continuing professional development sessions on MIL and digital citizenship with teacher educators and management staff of ECs, emphasizing the linkages with ICT, inclusive education and peace education;
3. Conceptualize and prepare the scripts as well as manage the overall production of a series of short video clips to raise awareness about the importance of quality teachers and the teacher education reform in Myanmar;
4. Provide technical advice and support for the procurement of services including EC curriculum development, video production and continuing professional development for teacher educators and management staff of ECs; and
5. Develop a UNESCO strategy for engagement in media development based on the priorities identified through the assessment of the Myanmar media development indicators; develop concept notes related to these priority areas, design interventions and identify partnership opportunities.
   Deliverables and Timeline:
6. Monthly progress reports on the achievements and challenges encountered in delivering the outputs related to the work assignment by the end of each month between February and November 2019.
7. A final report summarizing the activities carried out, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt over the contract period to be completed end of December 2019.
   Location and travel:
   The consultant will be based in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in Yangon, with travel to field sites as required.
   Fees:
   • Mid-level consultant depending on qualifications.
   • Travel costs for missions undertaken within the context of the assignment will be reimbursed as per UNESCO rules and regulations.
   Required Qualifications for Specialized Knowledge/Experience:
   Education and experience:
   • Masters degree with specialization in communication for development, media and communication, information studies, social sciences or a related field;
   • At least 5 years of experience in the field of media and communication and digital literacy preferably in a development context;
   • Proven experience in working with the education sector; and
   • Good knowledge of the Myanmar country context would be desirable.
   Skills and competencies:
   Proven research and analytical skills; ability to work independently on delegated tasks; excellent communication skills; and excellent writing and speaking skills in English.

How to apply:
Interested applicants are invited to submit in writing to the UNESCO Project Office in Myanmar:
a) A cover letter (in English) and clearly referencing “International Consultant – Communication and Information”, indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment, and the methodology and approach(es) to be adopted to carry out the assignment and expected fee;
b) An up-to-date CV, with contact details including home and office telephone numbers; and
c) A writing sample in English.

Your application should be submitted by e-mail to yangon@unesco.org no later than 17:00 Hours (Yangon time) on Friday, 7 December 2018.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.