UN Women: National Communication Consultant, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Local Consultancy

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Cambodia, UN Women's work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028, the Regional Strategic Note (2026-2029), and the Corporate Strategic Plan (2026-2029), These frameworks shape UN Women Cambodia's key priorities in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). UN Women Cambodia has worked closely with women’s machinery to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This connects to the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) programme which UN Women has supported the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) via the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) in developing and implementing the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women (NAPVAW), particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as women migrant workers. Additionally, the priority also supports the RGC to advance women peace security agenda, which focuses on convening dialogues, with participation of wider stakeholders, including civil societies, government as well as academic institutions, situation analysis and study on gender barriers toward realization of the National Action Plan

The National Communications Consultant will lead the production of high-quality IEC materials and other communication and visibility products to support public awareness, campaigns, donor visibility, programme outreach, and the promotion of programme achievements. The consultant will manage all stages of production, including pre-production planning, script development, filming, photography, video editing, and the coordination of participatory photography activities. 

The consultant will work under the supervision of the programme analyst for WE RISE Together Project and collaborate with programme analysts/officers for the detailed assignments. This will include a strong understanding of the Cambodia country programme portfolio, identify key events and activities, and determine the main themes and story angles to be captured.

Support to SBF and PROTECT

• →Lead the production of storytelling packages for UN Women programmes and initiatives, in line with programme communication strategies and UN Women's editorial and branding guidelines. Storytelling packages may include short videos in multiple formats for social media, high-quality photography, interview transcripts and other communication products.
• →Lead the research, development, drafting and finalization of story concepts, scripts and interview guides in close consultation with UN Women programme and communications teams. Support the identification of key themes, stories of change and human-interest stories. 
• →Lead the filming and production of video storytelling materials, documenting programme activities, events, field visits, achievements, participants' experiences and the impact of programme interventions, including interviews, B-roll and other supporting footage as required. 
• →Capture high-quality still photographs to support communication and visibility efforts, including portraits, programme activities, events, contextual imagery and donor visits, as appropriate. 
• →Produce communication materials documenting high-level visits, donor missions, workshops, launches and other programme events, including edited videos, photography, interview clips, B-roll footage and supporting materials such as time-coded interview transcripts, as required. 
• →Ensure that all filming, photography and storytelling activities comply with UN Women's editorial, ethical, safeguarding and informed consent requirements, including obtaining signed consent forms where required. 
• →Edit and finalize communication products, delivering videos in multiple formats suitable for digital platforms, English subtitles where required, edited photographs and other agreed communication assets. 
• →Prepare accurate English-language, time-coded transcripts, captions and supporting documentation for interviews and audiovisual materials, as required.
• →Lead the planning and implementation of participatory photography, filmmaking or storytelling activities that enable participants to document and share their own experiences, including coordinating participants, facilitating activities and supporting community engagement.

Support WE RISE Together (WRT) 

• →Lead the end-to-end technical conceptualization, filming, and post-production of specialized campaign and visibility packages of WRT related initiatives including the #MadeByHer campaign across selected project locations in Cambodia.
• →Translate complex economic policy concepts, supplier diversity frameworks, and gender-responsive procurement (GRP) principles into accessible, human-centered visual narratives showcasing buyer-supplier dynamics and market integration.
• →Document the real-time operational growth, business environments, product/packaging enhancements, and active participation of women-owned businesses (WOBs) and gender-responsive enterprises (GREs) across WRT related initiatives including capacity-building, mentoring, and market-linkage events, etc. 
• →Capture diverse perspectives from market actors, institutional buyers and entrepreneurs to build a compelling business case for inclusive supply chains and market access.
• →Produce long-form audio/visual interviews and podcast-style assets exploring core economic empowerment themes (e.g., non-traditional sectors, business formalization, digital commerce, export readiness, and disability inclusion).
• →Ensure all primary video products under the WRT portfolio incorporate integrated Khmer Sign Language (KSL) picture-in-picture overlays alongside standard subtitle tracks, in compliance with UN Women accessibility guidelines.
• →Formulate, format, and assemble multi-platform communications toolkits including social media video teasers, digital quote cards, drafted post copy, and web editorial features to support joint rollout and campaign dissemination with line Ministries. 

• Story concepts, scripts, interview guides and other pre-production materials, researched, developed and finalized in consultation with the UN Women programme and communications teams, as required.
• Production plans, filming schedules and logistical arrangements for communication and visibility assignments, developed in coordination with UN Women and relevant partners, as required.

Participatory photography, filmmaking or storytelling activities planned and facilitated, including participant coordination and the delivery of a curated collection of communication materials produced through the process, where applicable. 

• Audio-visual communication products developed in accordance with assignment requirements and UN Women's communication, editorial, branding, ethical and consent guidelines. Depending on the assignment, deliverables may include: professionally edited videos, thematic audio or podcast-style tracks, videos adapted for digital and social media platforms in multiple aspect ratios, subtitles in English and Khmer, localized audio tracks, and integrated accessibility features. 
• Depending on the assignment, deliverables may include: professionally edited videos; videos adapted for digital and social media platforms; subtitles in English, as required; professionally edited, high-resolution photographs; accurate, time-coded interview transcripts; selected interview clips, raw footage and B-roll; and other agreed communication and visibility materials. 
• Communication materials documenting programme activities, events, workshops, field visits, donor missions, high-level meetings and other assignments, as required, including edited videos, photography, interview clips, B-roll footage and supporting materials. 
• A curated archive of photographs, video footage, interview clips, B-roll and other production assets captured during assignments, organized and submitted to UN Women for future communication and knowledge management purposes. 
• Signed informed consent forms and any other required documentation for individuals interviewed or prominently featured, submitted in accordance with UN Women's ethical, safeguarding and consent requirements. 

All final communication products submitted in editable, broadcast-quality and high-resolution formats, as applicable, and fully compliant with UN Women's branding, editorial, ethical, accessibility, consent and reporting requirements.

This is a home-based consultancy for a maximum of 115 days over the period of 15thSep 2026- 31 December 2027.  As part of the official duty of this consultancy, the consultant may be expected to travel, which will be processed by UN Women, following the duty travel policy. Anticipated travel locations would be Siem Reap, Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, and Battambang. Travel will be undertaken only upon prior approval by UN Women.  

Under this retainer contract, the consultant will be contacted by UN Women for specific assignments, which the consultant may accept or decline to take. A daily rate will be agreed in the retainer contract in line with relevant UN Women policies. In discussion with the consultant, the number of days worked is to be determined solely by UN Women. The Consultant agrees and acknowledges that the retainer contract does not guarantee any working days to be assigned to the Consultant. 

UN Women will not be committed to purchasing any maximum quantity of the Services, and purchases will be made only if there is an actual requirement upon the issuance of a Purchase Order based on this retainer contract.  UN Women shall not be liable for any cost in the event that no purchases are made under this retainer contract. 

The expected number of workdays for each deliverable will be discussed between the consultant and UN Women on a case by-case basis. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of a deliverable or as agreed between the consultant and UN Women. 

Payment will be made monthly, 10 days after the submission of monthly claim. The amount paid will be based on the number of days within the month that the consultant has done the assignment.

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills. 
• Strong planning and coordination skills. 
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Master’s degree in media and communication and other related fields. 
• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

• At least 2 years of professional experience in audiovisual production, communication and/or visibility for UN agencies, international organizations and development partners. 
• At least 2 years of demonstrated experience producing human-interest stories and/or documenting program implementation, high-level events, field activities through documentary filmmaking, photography, interviews, and/or other visual storytelling formats that promote gender equality, women's leadership and/or social inclusion.
• Proven experience providing communication and visual documentation services for UN Women and/or other UN agencies, with excellent knowledge of UN communication, editorial, branding and donor visibility requirements. Previous experience undertaking similar assignments for UN Women and/or other UN agencies is highly desirable. 
• Demonstrated experience facilitating participatory photography, filmmaking and/or storytelling using inclusive, ethical and/or survivor-centered approaches that enable women, young people, migrant workers, survivors of violence, ethnic minority communities and/or other marginalized groups to safely share their own experiences. 
• Proven experience in managing end-to-end audiovisual productions, from concept development and/or story planning through filming, post-production and final delivery, including coordinating contributors, equipment, schedules, travel and/or field logistics

• Fluency in English and Khmer is required.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process. 

Shortlisted candidates will be further assessed. Work samples and/or interviews may be requested as part of the assessment process.