Job Description

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS International

Target Start Date 2023-08-15

Job Posting End Date July 30, 2023

Terms of Reference UNHCR Consultant Terms of Reference:
Consultant for Information Integrity (Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech) Pilot Project with UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Project Title: A new capacity to understand, mitigate and help prevent the harmful impact of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms on protection and displacement within the humanitarian sector

Organisation: UNHCR
Job Title: Consultant (Information Integrity)
Duty Station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Duration: 11 months
Contract Type: Individual Consultant
Application Link: JR2323055 Consultant (Information Integrity)
https://wd3.myworkday.com/unhcr/d/inst/15$158872/9925$22894.htmld

Start date of the consultancy: 15 August 2023

Location of the consultancy: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

UNHCR is looking for an individual experienced at working on issues related to hate speech, information integrity, xenophobia, incitement to violence, misinormation and disinformation through digital and analogue channels and Human Rights, ideally in a humanitarian context. Gathering data, research, analysis and strategic reviews will be essential for the role as well as being able to produce quality reports and engage with a variety of stakeholders across different countries. The project will focus on and work with refugees from Myanmar, so experience with the context and South Asia and South East Asia region is an asset.

General Background:
In 2022 ECHO approved funding for two projects which are part of a broader implementation plan for the Digital Protection Pillar of UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s Digital Transformation Strategy. One project on Digital Accountability to Affected People, the other is on online Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech (\xe2\x80\x9cMDH\xe2\x80\x9d).

The project on online Misinformation Disinformation and Hate is titled\xe2\x80\x9cA new capacity to understand, mitigate and help prevent the harmful impact of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms on protection and displacement within the humanitarian sector\xe2\x80\x9d. The project activities include research, mapping and analysis; development of an action plan, guidelines, strategies and common standards including on leveraging partnerships with social media platforms; training and capacity building; and field-based pilot projects. One of these pilots will be in the Asia-Pacific region looking at MDH and its impact on refugees in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific is seeking an International Consultant with experience working on issues related to hate speech and misinformation/disinformation to manage and implement the pilot in this region. The pilot will cover multiple countries hosting refugees from Myanmar. While the Consultant will work from UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s Malaysia Office in Kuala Lumpur, they will report to the regional office in Bangkok and they will be expected to manage the project implementation in all countries, with some travel within the region required.

Overall Purpose and Scope of Pilot

• Improve UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s understanding of how MDH develops, spreads and impacts the protection of refugees, particularly Rohingya communities in target countries
• Develop an action plan and tools to support UNHCR and its partners to better mitigate the identified impacts of MDH
• Develop a strategy and recommendations for future work in the short- and medium-term ensuring collaboration with relevant actors and communities

Objectives of the consultancy
1. Assessment, mapping and analysis
a. Provide a clear understanding of how MDH - misinformation, disinformation and hate speech relating to refugees develops and manifests on online platforms and social media and its impacts.
b. Test the use of digital monitoring tools
c. Prepare an analysis of challenges and gaps in UNHCR capacity in the region.
d. Conduct a mapping of actors already involved in this space, both around hate speech targeting refugees specifically and MDH more broadly. Based on the mapping, prepare an analysis of the local context, current practices and challenges and identify strategic engagement opportunities with these actors.
2. Strategy/ Action plan development- working together with UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s project partner for MDH, the consultant will:
a. In collaboration with partners, develop a strategy or plan of action to mitigate some of the harms caused by MDH and increase positive refugee narrative in the region and target countries
b. Support strategy implementation including through development of necessary tools.
3. Report on lessons learned, recommendations and horizon scanning- working together with UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s project partner for MDH, the consultant will:
a. Provide recommendations for future action based on lessons learned.
b. Carry out and report on a horizon-scanning exercise for UNHCR\xe2\x80\x99s future work in this area.

Deliverables

• Report consolidating findings of the assessment, mapping and analysis phase
• Strategy and action plan
• Short monitoring reports to be delivered to UNHCR every quarter to report on progress
• Bi-monthly meetings with the project working group or supervisor
• Participation in relevant working groups
• Future work report

Note: These are the initial expectations. It is foreseen that the detailed activities and outputs may change or be refined depending on the outcomes of the initial mapping exercises and progression of the global project.

The Consultant will report to the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, while being located and working closely with the UNHCR team in Kuala Lumpur.

Qualifications and Professional Experience Required:
Education:

• Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Development (Law, Sociology, Political Science, etc.) or Journalism.

Job Experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 6 years work experience dealing with issues related to \xe2\x80\x98online or digital harms\xe2\x80\x99 such as hate speech, incitement to hatred and violence, discrimination, conflict resolution, asylum, and migration and/or human rights issue.
• Quantitative and qualitative research experience.
• Experience using one or more digital / social media monitoring software tools.
• Demonstrated ability in managing data and information, including research, design, processing, analysis, publication, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders from multiple backgrounds and coordinate collaboration between them

Desirable

• Experience coordinating development of strategies and tools
• Familiarity with refugee and displacement issues, particularly refugees from Myanmar
• Experience engaging with digital platforms and social media companies
• Experience working on digital rights issues, media development or good journalism

Language

• Fluency in English (required)
• Knowledge of the language in one of the target countries is an asset

Competencies

• Technical familiarity with social media platforms, algorithms, content moderation, community management etc
• Experience with statistical processing software.
• Excellent writing, presentation and documentation skills, demonstrating high levels of attention to detail.
• Excellent research and analytics skills
• Experience using Microsoft Office (World, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Ability to manage two reporting lines, including working remotely
• Works well in a multicultural team and has a strong work ethic; strives to deliver high-quality, error-free deliverables potentially targeting different types of users e.g., senior management, fundraising specialists and database managers.

To Apply:
The deadline for applications is 30 July 2023.
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General\xe2\x80\x99s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Standard

Required Languages English

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education Masters of Arts (MA): International Development, Masters of Arts (MA): Law, Masters of Arts (MA): Political Science, Masters of Arts (MA): Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information This position doesn\'t require a functional clearance

UNHCR