Background
Press freedom in South-East Asia has deteriorated in the past few years and online civic space has been monitored quite extensively. Across the region, the media landscape and its capacity to advance freedom of expression are being challenged by the twin crises of trust and sustainability for journalism. Disinformation has undermined the veracity of news and damaged the trust in the media as a democratic institution. At the same time, media organizations have suffered from market pressures and constraining regulatory frameworks, while they struggle to establish sustainable businesses in a competitive and crowded environment.
In a positive development, new and alternative media experiences are emerging, which are capable of surviving, even thriving, in the most challenging circumstances. Newsrooms are being transformed into creative and innovative spaces where digital content developers, engineering and product designers, data scientists and business-savvy editors collaborate with traditional figures like journalists.
These “media alternatives” can take different forms and formats – some are for-profit enterprises that adopt new business models, while others represent creative experiments led by ordinary citizens. Technology has fundamentally changed traditional business approaches, content production, distribution, and even ownership. Quite interestingly, some of these media alternatives run revamped versions of traditional business models based on limited quality readership.
It is, however, in its citizen-enabling power that technology and social media, in particular have shown more dynamism. Celebrities, musicians, vloggers, and active citizens are using different social media to broadcast their ideas, hopes and concerns. There is, indeed, an enormous potential for new forms of digital and alternative media.
In June 2019, UNDP Cambodia launched an initiative aimed at supporting and promoting these “media alternatives” in order to increase their resilience and strengthen civic spaces. The project is financially supported by UNDP and the UK Embassy in Cambodia. The media engagement and partnership specialist will work under the supervision of the UN Peace and Development Advisor (PDA).
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the PDA, the consultant will be responsible for supporting the following tasks:
Provide overall technical advice to the project manager.
Coordinate and expand an existing network of media professionals, experts, entrepreneurs, and potential industry partners.
Support the selection of media start-ups/organizations through the organization of a business challenge.
Support the design and facilitation of a series of media labs, i.e. events targeting media professionals aimed at exploring issues related to media resilience, entrepreneurship and journalism.
Lead the organization of 1-2 study trips abroad for selected staff of the organizations undergoing the acceleration programme.
Liaise with and advise an international media firm and a Cambodia-based business incubator to support and monitor effective delivery of mentorship and acceleration services to media prototypes.
Support the development of project proposals, as needed.
Manage project reporting requirements.
Perform other tasks as directed by the PDA.
Important Notice:
Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=59238 to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application.
Competencies
Capacity to work in team
A high degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multicultural environment;
Time management (in managing deliverables)
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
University degree in communication studies, media studies, journalism, social sciences, political science.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the media sector;
Proven experience in media engagement in sensitive situations
Proven experience in partnering with media and private sector entities
Proven knowledge of Cambodia media environment.
Proven knowledge of media management or entrepreneurship will be an asset
Knowledge of the UN work
Language Requirement: Fluency in written and oral English. Knowledge of Khmer is an advantage
Interested Offerors must visit this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=59238 to download Individual Consultant Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference, and Document Templates to be included when submitting this online application.
UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.
Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.
Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email sereyvattana.chan@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.