Background

As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP is the leading organization working to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

In Sri Lanka, UNDP has been working as a key development partner of choice since 1967, to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts. Working closely with the Government, civil society, private sector and communities, UNDP aims to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion to protect both people and the planet.

Guided by UNDPs 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, our work focuses on the following areas; climate resilience and environment management, democratic governance and peacebuilding, youth and innovation, and gender equality. As UNDP looks beyond in strengthening efforts for development, UNDP is now focused on helping Sri Lanka identify relevant solutions for today's complex development challenges in-line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The development of new and niche thematic, programmatic and portfolio interventions will enable greater collaborative and holistic initiatives, in alignment to Government and national priorities.

To this end, in order to explore further collaborative platforms and partnerships in the thematic areas, UNDP in Sri Lanka is looking to strengthen its knowledge and results in communication, through the development of easy to digest and relevant packaged products that will complement partnerships and resource mobilization efforts in moving forward. UNDP is also focusing on strengthening awareness of core national development issues, and advocacy around key initiatives that could positively contribute towards the alleviation of such issues – for instance, illegal environmental practices, citizens’ environmental rights and the need for public engagement to combat illicit practices. Further, in support of supporting the country to shift towards innovation-driven development model, UNDP is also focusing on increased advocacy and communications around the work carried out by the Citra 2.0, the second cycle of the Citra Social Innovation Lab, which was established as a joint initiative between UNDP and the Government in 2018.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen UNDP in Sri Lanka’s niche thematic portfolios that are currently being developed, through strategic packaged communications and knowledge products which could be leveraged for further resource mobilization and partnership opportunities to strengthen each of the strategic portfolios.

The specific objective of this consultancy can be spelt out as follows;

1. Boost knowledge management for the UNDP Country Office in order to strengthen strategic communications interventions across portfolios
2. Improve results dissemination through the translation of it into easy-to-understand and packaged communications products, for external audiences and partnership opportunities
3. Highlight niche areas in which UNDP in Sri Lanka plays a critical role in supporting national priorities and working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country
4. Improve visibility and rolling out of the communications plan developed under the new Anti-Corruption programmatic work undertaken by Citra Social Innovation Lab and UNDP

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will be required to provide services while working from home and will work closely with the Communications team at UNDP in Sri Lanka when carrying out the key responsibilities of the assignment. The Communications Consultant will be responsible for the following functions:

Duties:

• to assist UNDP in Sri Lanka to improve its knowledge management, communications, advocacy and results;
• to broaden and deepen awareness of UNDPs niche service offerings to the Government of Sri Lanka and wider partners and stakeholders in Sri Lanka, aligning to national priorities and to the SDGs;
• enhance brand recognition and lift media profile of the Citra Social Innovation Lab in Sri Lanka;
• introduce intervention instruments, highlight individual projects/portfolio/ thematic areas to different audiences to mobilize partners, stakeholders, and the general public to advocate priority areas for the UNDP country office.

Responsibilities:

1. Conduct a series of discussions on each of the thematic/ programme areas, to better understand UNDPs results and service offerings in alignment with national priorities

The Consultant is required to liaise with thematic focal points for each of the below-outlined portfolio/ programmes to better understand UNDPs current work and areas being formulated, and build on existing material, briefs and proposals in order to develop relevant content required for packaging communications products.

Portfolio areas; Gender, SDG Planning and Financing, Green Development and Citra 2.0

Programmatic and other areas; UNDP Country Programme Results (2018-2022), Kaduwela Municipal Council Government Co-Financing initiative, Partnerships and UNDPs service offering, Citra/UNDP Anti-Corruption project

2. Development of dedicated knowledge products on the outlined areas which cover thematic portfolios, highlighting country programme results and best practices, while advocating for new and niche areas of UNDPs engagement in the country  

The Consultant is required to develop content for a series of communications products;

• UNDP Country Programme Results (2018-2022) brochure/ booklet
• Kaduwela Municipal Council Government Co-Financing initiative highlights brochure/ 2-pager in all local languages
• Partnerships and UNDPs service offering brochure/ 2-pager/ docket
• Portfolio package for Gender, SDG Planning and Financing, Green Development and Citra 2.0 portfolios (package to include comprehensive docket, brochure/ 2-pager, video script, communications and awareness products for each portfolio)
• Content creation in line with the Citra Anti-Corruption project communications plan 

3. Liaise with relevant communications agencies along with the UNDP Communications team on the development each of the communications products as outlined above

The Consultant is required to ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of each of the products and awareness campaigns/ initiatives.

Expected outputs and deliverables

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The Communications Consultant will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Communications and Engagement Analyst, alongside the UNDP Communications Team.

TIMEFRAME

The assignment should be completed within six months. The UNDP Communications team will assist in connecting the consultant with relevant focal points and communications agencies to facilitate this assignment.

Competencies

A. Technical competency;

- Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities, skills, and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed.

• Respect for people: Consultant should respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, and programme participants. The Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.
• Language: Oral and written language skills in English and/or Sinhala and Tamil

B. Behavioural competency;

• Ability to be flexible and respond to feedback as part of the review process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people.
• Participate effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment with others.

C. Results;

• Proven delivery of high-quality results, in a timely manner.
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Following are the minimum qualifications required for the selected consultant.

a) Academic Qualifications;

Diploma in Mass Communication, Journalism, Marketing or a relevant field, or at minimum 2 years of experience working in the capacity of a Communications, Marketing, Partnerships officer or a similar role (150 Max. Points)

b) Experience;

• At minimum 2 years of experience of working on creating communications knowledge products (150 Max. points)
• Exceptional knowledge of social media marketing and trends in digital communications (150 Max. points)
• Demonstrated experience in working with national or subnational government partners (150 Max. Points)
• Proficiency in Sinhala and/or Tamil and English along with excellent writing and editing skills (100 Max. Points)

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation, and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line. Failing to provide correct vacancy number & Position would be a disqualification.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs._____________________________________________________)

Please refer the below link to access the template for Financial Proposal

Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e., upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices, and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation method to be determined out of the following two options.

a. Best value-for-money approach, which is typically used for assignments that are intellectual in nature, and which considers a combination of the candidates’ qualifications and financial proposals. The financial proposal should account for at least 30 percent of the total score. b. Lowest evaluated offer of technically qualified candidates typically used for individual contractors performing support services.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments for this consultancy will be based on the achievement of each deliverable stated under Section C and certification that each has been satisfactorily completed with an approval of the Communications and Engagement Analyst at UNDP Sri Lanka.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and qualified women are encouraged to apply.