The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has opened an exciting consultancy opportunity for professionals passionate about media development, digital competencies, and inclusive digital transformation. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, this role sits within UNESCO’s Communication and Information (CI) Sector and offers a unique chance to contribute to regional initiatives that strengthen information integrity, media pluralism, youth digital skills, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence across the Mekong region.
UNESCO Consultant Opportunity: Media Development and Digital Competencies Education
With a contract duration of between 7 and 11 months, this non-staff consultancy is open to external candidates and is expected to begin in February 2026. Applications close on 4 January 2026 (midnight, Paris time)
A Strategic Role within UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector
The Consultant on Media Development and Digital Competencies Education will support the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific. The position is anchored in two major CI programme outputs: enabling Member States and media institutions to strengthen media development and pluralism, and supporting inclusive digital transformation and AI development while addressing digital, knowledge, and gender-based divides.
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The consultant will play a critical role in planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on projects that promote freedom of expression, access to information, media and information literacy (MIL), youth digital empowerment, and responsible digital transformation in the Mekong countries.
Key Responsibilities and Project Areas
One of the core responsibilities of the role is providing strategic and operational support to the UNESCO–CODEMAO Youth Coding Initiative in Thailand. This includes developing workplans, coordinating stakeholders, advising on resource utilization, and ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation throughout the initiative’s multi-year implementation. The consultant will also contribute to strengthening inclusiveness and equality within the project’s design and delivery.
Beyond youth coding, the consultant will support UNESCO’s broader portfolio on media development and freedom of expression. This includes facilitating grant programmes such as the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists, and the COP30 Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change. The role also involves advancing UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy initiatives, including the MIL Cities framework and youth-focused interventions, while enhancing outreach, partnerships, and visibility.
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Another major pillar of the consultancy is supporting digital transformation and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. The consultant will help promote UNESCO’s global initiatives on AI empowerment for journalists, newsrooms, and civil servants, while also providing technical and knowledge support to projects that amplify youth voices and ensure safe and meaningful participation in online civic spaces.
In addition, the consultant will contribute to the final phase of the Japanese Funds-in-Trust project on preserving and providing access to documentary heritage. This includes coordinating the translation of the UNESCO Building Resilience toolkit into two Asia-Pacific languages, developing communication materials, monitoring budgets, and supporting final reporting.
Deliverables and Reporting Responsibilities
The consultancy comes with a clearly defined set of deliverables to be completed by the end of 2026. These include narrative and financial reports for IPDC projects, strategic workplans for the UNESCO–CODEMAO Youth Coding Initiative, draft proposals for national MIL curriculum development in Thailand, progress reports on AI and digital transformation initiatives, and final implementation reports to be incorporated into UNESCO’s annual reporting to headquarters, donors, and Member States.
The consultant will also assist the CI Bangkok team in developing biennial workplans and periodic reports for the 2026–2027 programme cycle, as well as contributing to publications, presentations, and other communication materials in close coordination with the Communications and Public Engagement Unit.
Location, Duration, and Payment Structure
The consultant will be based at the UNESCO Bangkok office and may be required to travel on official missions related to project implementation. Travel will be arranged in line with UNESCO rules, with daily subsistence allowance (DSA) paid at standard rates where applicable. The tentative contract period runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 December 2026, and payments will be made in installments upon submission and approval of agreed deliverables.
Required Qualifications and Competencies
UNESCO is seeking candidates with an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in communication arts, communication design, international relations, social sciences, or related fields. Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience coordinating media development or digital competencies education projects at regional or international level.
Strong project management and strategic planning skills, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, are essential. The role requires excellent analytical abilities, strong coordination and interpersonal skills, and the capacity to work independently in a dynamic, multicultural environment. Fluency in English is required, while knowledge of other UNESCO official languages is considered an asset.
Candidates are also expected to demonstrate UNESCO’s core values of commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and results focus.
Application Process and Diversity Commitment
Interested candidates must apply online and upload a single PDF containing their CV, a tailored cover letter, an approach and methodology for the assignment (maximum two pages), and a proposed consultancy fee in USD, including monthly fees and estimated mission costs. UNESCO applies a rigorous, competency-based selection process, which may include tests, assessments, and interviews.
