International Media Consultant, Finalization and Handover of New Model University Journalism Curriculum (SSAs)

Background:

Professional news media acts as a guardian of public interest. It is an important component of the checks and balances that form part of a democracy. By disseminating trusted information to citizens, the news media enables citizen participation in development and strengthens accountability feedback mechanisms .

Citizens cannot exercise and enjoy their citizenship in the absence of crucial information and knowledge, which well-trained journalists are better placed to provide.  Both journalism educators and students stand a better chance of influencing journalistic production at the news-institutional level.  A quality journalism education is a guarantor not only of democracy and development, but also of press freedom itself. 

The level of journalism training in Tajikistan does not meet the requirements of modern journalism. Journalists are educated in seven state-owned universities throughout the country, but very few of them are professionally ready or desire to work in the media. About 300 journalism students graduate annually in Tajikistan. 

The following two state-owned universities have journalism faculties:

• Tajik National University, and;
• Russian–Tajik Slavonic University.

The following six state-owned universities have journalism specializations under different faculties:

• Khujand State University;
• Bokhtar State University,
• Kulob State University;
• Khorog State University;
• Branch of Tajik State Pedagogical University in Rasht, and
• Tajik Institute of Physical Training in Dushanbe.

The only opportunity to improve the skills of young journalists is through trainings conducted by local and international organizations, although students are not always allowed to attend such programs.

In May of 2020, the Office and the Ministry of Education and Science agreed on a concept of cooperation over three years to support the universities of Tajikistan in bringing the curricula of journalism faculties in accordance with international standards and the needs of the local and global media industry, envisioning the following five stages of cooperation:

• Stage 1. Development of a report on the compatibility of the current curricula of journalism faculties of universities in Tajikistan with international standards and requirements of the local and global media industry;
• Stage 2. The Office conducted a study tour to Lithuania for senior officials responsible for journalism education in the Ministry of Education and universities of Tajikistan that have journalism faculties;
• Stage 3. The Office will further support universities of Tajikistan in developing new curricula and textbooks on journalism. To this end, a working group consisting of international and national experts in the field of journalism education, representatives of the Ministry of Education of Tajikistan, as well as representatives of the local media industry and civil society has been created and worked under guidance of an international expert-consultant;
• Stage 4. In the next stages, the Office will support trainings for journalism faculties’ teachers based on new curricula and textbooks; 
• Stage 5. The Office has supported the creation of media laboratories, including mini-TV and radio studios, as well as online editorial offices at the journalism faculties of two universities in Tajikistan. This will allow students to strengthen in practice the theoretical skills that they will acquire during lectures.

In 2020, the Office facilitated an assessment of state university journalism faculty curricula to gauge the level of (i) compliance with internationally accepted standards; and (ii) responsiveness to the needs of the local media industry and came up with the following major findings:

• State Standard(s):
• Lack of a single Standard;
• Weak implementation of the Standard(s);
• Ignorance of the Standard(s);
• Curricula development;
• Lack of a creative approach;
• Lack of a strategic approach;
• Lack of a common concept for modern journalism education when drawing up the Section of General Professional Disciplines;
• Lack of improvement of the Section of General Professional Disciplines, subjects, programs, and the issues of uniform for students;
• Lack of disciplines of new media in Section of General Professional Disciplines and chaotic addition of new elective courses;
• Lack of revision of the Section of Humanities and the Section of Natural, Mathematical and Economic Disciplines and professional development of teachers; and issues with restructuring educational studios and creating new media labs.

The Office planned in 2021 to share the findings of the assessment in a roundtable for approximately 70 relevant stakeholders, but this was postponed due to COVID-19. In 2022, based on the Office’s assessment and analyses conducted in 2020-2021, the Office will continue its support to the working group developing a new curriculum for journalism faculties, aligned with international standards. The Office, within the framework of the Tajik Media Forum, will organize a National Journalism Curricula Roundtable, for 40 participants, in December, in Dushanbe (hybrid format) – an inclusive, gender-balanced, public consultation for representatives of all regions of the Host Country on the new curriculum, sharing comments and best practices, with a view of future, handover of the improved version to the Ministry of Education and Science, with further, related recommendations. 

The Office will also provide support towards translation of the new curriculum into state and relevant minority languages. 
The Office will support the MoES in two-day training 30 journalism teachers in the new curriculum. Lastly, a need for enhanced, international partnerships regarding its review and recommendations, will be assessed capitalizing on already excellent, existing cooperation with the both the Government and Journalism Faculties of the universities in Lithuania, as well eyeing a new partnership engagement on the initiative with Poland, under its 2022 OSCE Chairmanship.
 

Objective of Assignment:

The OSCE POiD requires the services of an international media consultant to lead and provide expert support to the Working Group of the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) in Finalization and Handover of New Model University Journalism Curriculum and developing new teaching modules: (i)“TV Journalism”; (ii)“Radio Journalism;  (iii) “Public Relations” and (iv)“Web Journalism” and (v) Mass Communication.

Duration of Assignment: 5 months in the period from  1 July  till 30 November 2022 (100% working time).

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of and coordination by the Media Officer, and in close cooperation with the working group of the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), the media consultant will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Development of the new teaching module on the subject of “Mass Communication”;
2. Leading established working group with required cooperation and communication, as well as guidance in the development of the teaching modules under their responsibilities, including TV Journalism, Radio Journalism, Public Relations, and Web Journalism;
3. Development a presentation of the New comprehensive journalism curricular and developed draft teaching modules for the Tajik Ministry of Education and Science with relevant recommendations, for (i) public discussion,  (ii) National Journalism Curricula roundtable, and the (iii) Official launch of the new journalism Curricular to the Ministry of Education and Science with related recommendations (online);
4. Development of recommendations and follow-up actions from the public discussions/round table;
5. Providing monthly progress reports and final report in Russian language;
6. Providing proofreading for the translated curricular and the teaching modules;
7. Providing agenda of the training for journalism teachers on the new teaching modules and the new journalism curricular.

Deliverables:

New comprehensive teaching modules for the Tajik Ministry of Education and Science based on utilizing the results of the Office’s assessment and analyses conducted in 2020-2021, leading the working group  and developing new teaching modules, aligned with international standards (home-based);

• Leading established expert working group with required cooperation and communication conducted (online);
• Development of the teaching module with the thematic subject on “Mass Communication”;
• Provide guidance and leading the working group on development of the teaching modules under their responsibilities, including TV Journalism, Radio Journalism, Public Relations, and Web Journalism; 
• Development of the presentation for the round table and public discussions (home-based);
• Participation at the round table and present developed curricular and draft teaching modules during the round table and public discussions (online);
• Recommendations and follow-up actions from the round table and public discussions conducted (online);
• Final report with follow-up recommendations submitted and approved in Russian language.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe

Necessary Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in journalism, social sciences, public policy, evaluation, management or other related field(s); preferably a PHD level;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in journalism and/or journalism education;
• Experience in writing university curricula, particularly with the focus on journalism education;
• Good report-writing skills and the ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner;
• Demonstrated good research, analytical and problem-solving skills including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems, establish rapport, and ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments;
• Fully proficient computer skills and ability to use relevant software and other applications involved in work, including, but not limited to: advanced MS Office and internet skills; 
• Professional fluency in Russian and English languages;
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team including strong customer focus and good interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.