National Consultant - Advancing the Digital Safety of Women Journalists in Pakistan

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station : Islamabad

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+5 Time) : 11/11/2026

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

OVERVIEW

Under the overall authority of the Country Representative to Pakistan / Head of UNESCO Office in Islamabad and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Communication and Information), the National Consultant will provide technical expertise to support UNESCO's efforts to strengthen the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Pakistan. The consultant will undertake evidence-based research, policy analysis and develop practical technical resources to strengthen institutional responses to TFGBV against women journalists, including mapping existing protection mechanisms, identifying legal and institutional gaps, and recommending measures to enhance coordination, reporting, referral pathways and support services. The consultant will also support UNESCO in facilitating technical consultations with relevant stakeholders to validate findings and ensure that the proposed recommendations and resources are contextually relevant, gender-responsive and aligned with international standards. Working closely with the Communication and Information Sector, the consultant will contribute to identifying opportunities for expanding UNESCO's programme interventions on the safety of women journalists in Pakistan. The research findings, stakeholder consultations and technical outputs will inform the development of future initiatives and foster sustained collaboration among relevant institutions and stakeholders.

The assignment will contribute to UNESCO's broader work on the safety of journalists, freedom of expression and gender equality, while providing an evidence-based foundation for future programming, partnerships and policy engagement in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) has emerged as a significant threat to the safety, wellbeing and professional participation of women journalists worldwide. Online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based abuse, coordinated disinformation campaigns and AI-enabled manipulation increasingly undermine freedom of expression, restrict women's participation in public discourse and contribute to self-censorship.

In Pakistan, women journalists continue to experience various forms of online violence that often extend beyond digital spaces into professional, psychological and physical harm. While legal and institutional mechanisms exist to address cybercrime and online harms, challenges remain in strengthening institutional coordination, improving awareness of reporting mechanisms, enhancing access to support services and ensuring effective implementation of relevant laws and policies.

Pakistan has made efforts in addressing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and strengthening responses to cybercrime and online harms through the efforts of government institutions, civil society organizations, and media support organizations. These initiatives have contributed to more legal and policy frameworks and institutional responses with efforts towards awareness of digital safety and online protection. Building on these efforts, there remains a need to identify opportunities for strengthening collaboration and enhancing support for women journalists experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

As the United Nations agency mandated to promote freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, UNESCO supports Member States through evidence generation, normative guidance, policy advice and institutional capacity development. Building on its global leadership in implementing the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, UNESCO has developed a range of normative instruments and practical guidance to strengthen the safety of journalists and freedom of expression, providing an important foundation for supporting national stakeholders in addressing emerging challenges, including Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.[1] Through this consultancy, UNESCO seeks to strengthen Pakistan's response to TFGBV by generating evidence, developing practical technical resources and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to improve the protection ecosystem for women journalists based on UNESCO’s recently developed relevant frameworks.

This initiative will build on existing national efforts by producing evidence-based research, practical technical resources and policy recommendations tailored to the needs of women journalists. By strengthening institutional responses, enhancing coordination among relevant stakeholders and promoting informed policy dialogue, the assignment will contribute to a safer, more inclusive and resilient media ecosystem, while advancing the safety of journalists and gender equality in Pakistan.

ASSIGNMENTS

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen Pakistan's protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) through evidence generation, the development of practical technical resources, and informed policy dialogue.

To achieve the above objective, the scope of the consultancy comprises the following components:

Component 1: Evidence Generation and Policy Analysis

The consultant will undertake analytical research to strengthen understanding of the nature, prevalence and institutional response to TFGBV affecting women journalists in Pakistan. This will include:

• Undertake a national mapping of the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing TFGBV, including documenting existing prevention, protection, reporting, referral and support mechanisms implemented by government institutions, media organizations, journalist associations, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders, as well as existing women journalists’ networks, peer-support and mentorship initiatives;
• Review relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks governing cybercrime, online violence, media regulation and freedom of expression;
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen institutional coordination, operational responses and policy implementation related to the protection of women journalists experiencing TFGBV; and
• Analyse international good practices and develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the national protection ecosystem.

Component 2: Development of Technical Resources

Building on the findings of Component 1, the consultant will develop practical technical resources to support institutional capacity development and strengthen the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing TFGBV. The resources shall build upon relevant UNESCO normative instruments, guidance materials and international good practices, adapting them to the Pakistani context and the needs of relevant national stakeholders. This will include:

• Developing a Training Toolkit comprising a training curriculum, facilitator guidance note, presentation materials, participant handouts and practical case studies, drawing upon relevant UNESCO guidance and international standards on the safety of journalists;
• Developing a Resource Guide outlining reporting procedures, referral pathways, available support services and institutional responsibilities for women journalists experiencing TFGBV in Pakistan; and
• Preparing a Technical Guidance Note providing practical recommendations for adapting relevant UNESCO guidance and international standards to strengthen institutional responses, policy implementation and future capacity development initiatives in Pakistan.

Component 3: Stakeholder Consultation and Knowledge Sharing

The consultant will support UNESCO in promoting evidence-informed dialogue and collaboration among relevant stakeholders to validate findings and strengthen national responses. This will include:

• Identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders and conducting structured consultations, including bilateral meetings, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions and/or online interviews and discussions, as appropriate, to gather perspectives, validate findings and identify existing initiatives, gaps and opportunities for strengthening responses to TFGBV against women journalists.
• Preparing appropriate consultation tools, interview guides and other materials to support stakeholder engagement;
• Documenting stakeholder feedback and incorporating recommendations into the final technical outputs; and
• Preparing a consolidated implementation roadmap outlining priority actions for strengthening institutional responses to TFGBV against women journalists, including potential follow-up programme interventions, partnerships, women journalists’ networks, peer learning and mentorship opportunities, in close coordination with the National Professional Officer (Communication and Information).

Throughout the assignment, the consultant shall ensure that all outputs are evidence-based, gender-responsive, aligned with international human rights standards and UNESCO's mandate on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and gender equality

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMNET

The consultant will work under the overall authority of the Country Representative to Pakistan / Head of UNESCO Office in Islamabad and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Communication and Information). The consultant will be responsible for implementing the assignment in accordance with the agreed workplan, maintaining regular communication with UNESCO, and submitting all deliverables for technical review and approval. The consultant will work closely with UNESCO and, where appropriate, engage with relevant government institutions, media organizations, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the assignment.

UNESCO will provide overall technical guidance, and quality assurance with relevant stakeholders, including the organization of consultation and validation meetings, as required. The consultant shall ensure that all research and stakeholder engagement activities are conducted in accordance with confidentiality, informed consent, gender sensitivity and the principle of do no harm.

CONTRACT DURATION

Six months / with an estimated total of 20 – 25 working days spread over the contract period. 

Based in Islamabad, with flexible working arrangements and regular in-person engagement at the UNESCO Office in Islamabad.

DELIVERABLES

1. DELIVERABLES AND SUBMISSION TIMELINE

The consultant shall submit the following deliverables to UNESCO Office in Pakistan for review and approval. All deliverables shall be submitted in English in electronic format (MS Word, PowerPoint and other editable formats, as applicable). Draft deliverables will be reviewed by UNESCO, and the consultant shall revise and finalize the output(s) based on the comments received.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: 

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Journalism, Media Studies, Law, Human Rights, digital rights, cybersecurity, Gender Studies, Public Policy, International Relations, Social Sciences or another relevant discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE: 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more fields directly relevant to the assignment, including media development, freedom of expression, safety of journalists, human rights, gender equality, digital governance, cyber policy, public policy, legal/policy research or related areas. (Candidates with less than seven (7) years of relevant professional experience will not be considered for further technical evaluation.)
• Demonstrated experience undertaking research and policy analysis and developing analytical reports, policy papers, research studies, technical guidance, toolkits, resource guides or other similar knowledge products.
• Proven experience engaging with government institutions, media organizations, civil society organizations and development partners.
• Demonstrated practical understanding of Pakistan's media landscape and relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks relating to freedom of expression, safety of journalists, cybercrime, digital governance and online safety.
• Demonstrated experience independently identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, media organizations, journalist associations, civil society organizations, development partners and other relevant actors, and conducting structured consultations through bilateral meetings, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions, online discussions or other appropriate consultation methods.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent writing and drafting skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Sound understanding of gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches to research and programme development.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct, including the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.

LANGUAGES;

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of Urdu would be useful.

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the UNESCO Careers Portal (SuccessFactors) by clicking "Apply Now" and completing the online application.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. UNESCO Employment History Form: Duly completed with accurate and verifiable information.
2. Technical Proposal (strictly maximum 5 pages): Demonstrating the candidate's sound understanding of the assignment, relevant policy context, proposed strategic methodology, workplan, timeline and approach to stakeholder engagement. Proposals must be concise, context-specific and demonstrate independent analytical thinking and technical expertise. (Generic proposals or those merely reproducing the TORs will not be considered sufficient.)
3. Writing Samples: Two (02) relevant samples, preferably produced within the last five years:
• One analytical/research output (research report, policy paper or legal/policy review).
• One practical/technical output (toolkit, technical guidance note, training material or resource guide).

Candidates must clearly identify their individual contributions to jointly authored work.

4. Professional References: Contact details of three professional referees who can verify the candidate's relevant experience, technical expertise and quality of work.
5. Financial Proposal: Proposed professional fee in PKR, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
6. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Originality of Submissions

The Technical Proposal must reflect the candidate's own understanding, analysis and professional judgement. While digital tools may support preparatory work, substantive proposal content must be independently developed by the candidate. (Reliance on AI-generated, generic or unverified content may adversely affect technical evaluation.)

Incomplete applications or proposals exceeding the prescribed page limit may not be considered.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.