Consultant Contract

UNESCO; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 3,571,000 - 5,803,000; Full time

Job summary

UNESCO Islamabad is seeking a National Consultant to provide technical expertise to strengthen the protection ecosystem for women journalists facing TFGBV in Pakistan. The consultant will conduct evidence-based research, policy analysis and develop practical resources, including mapping, guidance notes and stakeholder consultations.

Under the supervision of the National Professional Officer, the assignment will deliver actionable outputs and capacity-building resources to inform policy and

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Journalism, Media Studies, Law, Human Rights, or a related field.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in relevant areas.
• Proven experience undertaking research and policy analysis and developing analytical reports.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government institutions, media organizations, civil society and development partners.
• Strong written and spoken English language skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake national mapping of the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing TFGBV.
• Review legal, policy and institutional frameworks related to cybercrime and online harms.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations and practical technical resources.
• Engage stakeholders through structured consultations and KIIs.
• Prepare deliverables including an inception report and policy analysis.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Research

Writing skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree or higher in relevant field

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Hiring Unit : Communication and Information Sector (CI)

Duty Station : Islamabad

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

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 lead the development of evidence-based research, policy analysis and practical technical resources to strengthen institutional responses to online violence against women journalists. This includes documenting and mapping the existing protection ecosystem, analyzing relevant legal and policy frameworks, and developing practical recommendations and technical resources to strengthen institutional coordination and support mechanisms for women journalists experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

The consultant will also support UNESCO in engaging with relevant stakeholders, including through technical consultations, bilateral meetings, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and/or online discussions, as appropriate and where required, to validate findings and ensure that the proposed recommendations and technical resources are evidence-based, contextually relevant and aligned with international standards. All outputs will contribute to UNESCO's work on the safety of journalists, freedom of expression and gender equality, while informing future programming and policy engagement in Pakistan.

Long Description

• 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.

Background

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.

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;
• 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.

Long Description

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.

Long Description

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.

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.

D. 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, effective from September, 2026

E. DELIVERABLES AND SUBMISSION TIMELINE Long Description

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.

S. No.

Description

Timeline

Cost Distribution

D1

Inception Report

A structured document outlining:

• methodology,
• detailed workplan,
• stakeholder mapping, research framework, consultation approach and
• implementation schedule for the assignment.

Within 2 weeks of contract signature

15%

E. DELIVERABLES AND SUBMISSION TIMELINE

D2

Evidence and Policy Analysis Report

(i) a national mapping of the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing TFGBV, including existing prevention, protection, reporting, referral and support mechanisms; (ii) a review of relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks; (iii) an analysis of relevant international good practices; and (iv) evidence-based recommendations to strengthen institutional coordination, policy implementation and Pakistan's protection ecosystem for women journalists. (v) findings from structured stakeholder engagement, including bilateral consultations, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), focus group and/or online discussions, documenting perspectives of relevant government institutions, media organizations, journalist associations, civil society organizations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Week 10

25%

DELIVERABLES

D3

Technical Resources Package

A package of practical technical resources comprising: (i) a Training Toolkit (training curriculum, facilitator guidance note, presentation materials, participant handouts and practical case studies); (ii) a Resource Guide outlining reporting procedures, referral pathways, available support services and institutional responsibilities; and (iii) a Technical Guidance Note providing practical recommendations for adapting relevant UNESCO guidance and international standards to strengthen institutional responses and future capacity development initiatives.

Week 17

30%

D4

Final Consolidated Report

A final report incorporating stakeholder consultation outcomes, revised technical resources, final recommendations and a practical implementation roadmap outlining priority actions, potential institutional roles and opportunities for strengthening collaboration and the protection ecosystem for women journalists experiencing TFGBV in Pakistan.

Week 24

30%

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• 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.

Long Description

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).

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.

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.