Communications & Visibility Consultant (Multimedia & Digital Content) (Khartoum, Sudan) contract

Type of contract : Individual Consultant  

Hiring Unit : Public Information and Communication 

Duty Station : Port Sudan/ Khartoum  

Duration of contract : 7 to 11 months 

Hiring open to : Sudanese Candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Sudan Time) : 21.03.2026

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

Introduction 

UNESCO Sudan is seeking a qualified Communications & Visibility Officer (Multimedia & Digital Content) to support the strategic visibility of the Organization’s programmes and results across Education, Culture, Sciences, and Communication & Information. Based in Port Sudan, the assignment will contribute to strengthening UNESCO Sudan’s public presence through high-quality multimedia content, digital storytelling, and consistent institutional messaging aligned with UNESCO’s communication and visual identity standards.

Under the overall authority of the Head of Office and the guidance of the Communications Focal Point, the Consultant will play a key role in translating programme implementation and field activities into clear, engaging, and impactful narratives, enhancing outreach to partners, donors, media, and the wider public during a critical operational period.

Background

UNESCO Sudan operates in a complex and rapidly evolving context marked by protracted conflict, displacement, and significant disruptions to education systems, cultural life, scientific institutions, and access to information. Since the relocation of operations to Port Sudan following the April 2023 conflict, the Office has intensified its programme delivery while adapting its communication approaches to ensure continued visibility, transparency, and engagement with national counterparts, donors, partners, media, and affected communities.

In this context, strategic communication and high-quality visibility are critical to documenting results, amplifying impact, and reinforcing UNESCO’s mandate and values. Effective storytelling, visual documentation, and digital engagement play a central role in translating technical interventions and field-based activities into accessible narratives that inform public discourse, support resource mobilization, and strengthen institutional credibility.

The increasing volume of programme implementation across Education, Culture, Sciences, and Communication & Information requires dedicated communications support capable of producing timely, accurate, and engaging multimedia content, while ensuring strict adherence to UNESCO’s branding, ethical standards, and communication guidelines. Strengthening digital presence, social media engagement, and media outreach is therefore essential to enhancing UNESCO Sudan’s public profile and ensuring that programme achievements, partnerships, and community-level impact are clearly and consistently communicated.

Objectives

The objective of this assignment is to strengthen the strategic visibility and public communication of UNESCO Sudan by delivering high-quality, coherent, and engaging multimedia and digital content that accurately reflects programme implementation, results, and impact across all sectors. The Communications & Visibility Officer will support the articulation of UNESCO’s mandate and values through consistent institutional messaging, visual storytelling, and digital engagement, enhancing outreach to partners, donors, media, and communities, while ensuring full compliance with UNESCO’s communication, branding, and ethical standards.

Under the overall authority of the Head of Office and the Communications focal Person

• Develop, draft, and produce timely high-quality bilingual (Arabic and English) communication content for UNESCO Sudan’s digital platforms, including social media posts, website stories, press release, newsletters, programme briefs, and visibility materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency of institutional messaging,· Upload, update and edit necessary Communications materials, on the UNESCO Sudan’s digital platforms, in the absence of the communications focal point.
• Translate technical programme activities and field-level interventions across Education, Culture, Sciences, and Communication & Information into accessible, human-centered narratives that highlight impact, results, and partnerships.
• Plan, design, and implement weekly and monthly social media content calendars aligned with sector priorities, thematic campaigns, and international days, in coordination with programme teams.
• Capture, edit, and curate professional photography and video content documenting events, field visits, training, and community engagement activities.
• Accompanying the Head of Office to represent events and prepare the needed visibility materials, ensuring high visual quality and ethical representation.
• Produce short-form multimedia products, including reels, interviews, visual stories, and thematic videos, adapted for digital dissemination and donor communication.
• Design visual communication materials such as infographics, banners, brochures, roll-ups, and project fact sheets, ensuring strict compliance with UNESCO’s Visual Identity Guidelines.
• Monitor and manage engagement on UNESCO Sudan’s social media channels, including comments and direct messages, and propose timely, appropriate responses in line with institutional communication protocols.
• Support media outreach by maintaining and updating a local media contact database, preparing press kits, and contributing to the organization of press briefings, launches, exhibitions, and public events.
• Collect inputs and updates from programme officers and partners, and consolidate them into coherent communication products that reflect ongoing implementation and results.
• Track and analyze digital performance indicators, including reach, engagement, and audience growth, and prepare concise monthly visibility and analytics reports.

Throughout the consultancy period (7-11 months)

The Consultant shall submit a consolidated Monthly Communications and Visibility Package documenting communication outputs, multimedia production, and digital engagement results supporting UNESCO Sudan’s programmes and institutional visibility.

Each monthly submission shall include:

1. Monthly Communications Report
   A brief narrative report summarizing key communication activities, programme visibility actions, and major outputs produced during the reporting period.
2. Editorial and Social Media Content Plan
   A structured weekly editorial calendar outlining planned and published content aligned with programme priorities, international observances, and visibility opportunities.
3. Digital Content Production
   Publication of bilingual (Arabic/English) communication content across UNESCO Sudan platforms, including 10–15 social media posts accompanied by appropriate visuals or multimedia elements.
4. Multimedia Documentation
   Professional documentation of UNESCO activities including:
   • 8–12 edited photography sets per month
   • 2–4 short multimedia videos or reels
5. Programme Feature Stories
   Preparation of 1–2 feature stories or field highlights per month showcasing programme impact, partnerships, and community engagement.
6. Visual Communication Materials
   Design of visibility assets (infographics, banners, fact sheets, event materials) in compliance with UNESCO Visual Identity Guidelines.
7. Media and Outreach Support
   Maintenance of an updated media contact database and preparation of press kits or briefing materials for major events or announcements when applicable.
8. Digital Performance Analytics
   A concise analytics report tracking social media reach, engagement, audience growth, and content performance, including brief recommendations for improving outreach.
9. Content Archive
   Submission of a structured archive of all communication materials produced during the reporting period, including photographs, videos, graphics, and written content.

• 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.

EDUCATION

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Digital Media, Public Information, International Relations, or a related field is required.
• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field is considered an asset.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in communications, public information, media, or digital content production, preferably within international organizations, NGOs, UN agencies, or development and humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in multimedia content production, including photography, videography, and digital storytelling for institutional or programme-related communications.
• Proven experience managing organizational social media platforms and digital communication channels, including content planning, scheduling, audience engagement, and basic performance monitoring.
• Experience drafting clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communication products, including social media content, web stories, newsletters, and visibility materials.
• Ability to work effectively in complex or resource-constrained environments, manage multiple priorities, and deliver outputs within agreed timelines.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:

• Excellent organizational and coordination skills, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and aptitude to work under pressure.
• Familiarity with and experience in the use of computers, internet, intranet, and other databases.

• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Capacity to deal with people of different cultural backgrounds efficiently and tactfully.
• Discretion, initiative and service oriented to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities. Attention to detail and meticulous in correspondence.

Communication:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, in English and Arabic.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
• Tailor language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
• Places team agenda before personal agenda.
• Supports and acts in accordance with the final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position.
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and Arabic; knowledge of other official UN language would be an asset.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous professional experience with the United Nations system, UNESCO, or other international or intergovernmental organizations.
• Experience working in conflict-affected, post-conflict, or emergency contexts, particularly in Sudan or the wider region.
• Experience producing communication content related to education, culture, heritage, sciences, peacebuilding, or access to information.
• Demonstrated experience supporting donor visibility and reporting, including preparation of human-interest stories, field highlights, and multimedia products for external audiences.
• Experience coordinating with media outlets, supporting press events, or contributing to media outreach and public campaigns.

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).

• 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.