UNDP Jobs - 27109- Consultant: Online communication specialist

Consultant: Online communication specialist

Location :

Bratislava with some flexibility for telecommuting, SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Jan-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated January 2012 to 31 December 2012, performing approximately 90% of official UN work days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Duty station is Bratislava, Slovakia with some flexibility for telecommuting
No DSA payments will be made for this assignment while residing in duty station.

The Bratislava Regional Centre offers technical and advisory support to 25 UNDP offices in the region of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The Centre has recently established a Knowledge and Innovation unit with the mandate of exploring, among others, the use of online communications and social media as a way to increase the effectiveness of programming, opening up the organisation to external views and input and engaging UNDP experts in the regional and global dialogue on key development challenges. The Centre is also exploring opportunities to develop partnerships with other organizations in areas such as content syndication, innovative use of social media in project design and delivery and online information dissemination.

The Online Communication Specialist will manage the corporate website as well as a social media presence that currently includes Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Isssuu, Linkedin.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

Manage UNDP’s online presence (website and social media), support the shift to two-way, real-time engagement. Manage the redesign of the website to the new corporate template
Promote and implement usability and information architecture best practices
Liaise with content producers to ensure that the content on UNDP’s site is fresh, relevant and engaging. Establish an editorial plan for the site.
Establish a content management workflow that ensures consistency and quality of web content produced across the various platforms and maximises opportunities for content re-use
Define editorial guidelines and policies for UNDP’s regional site and social media presence and ensure their implementation.
Attract and engage (new) audiences and partners through social media engagement
Advocate for sustainable development, Roma and other priority development issues
Provide support and advice to UNDP county offices on online communications matters

The consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:

Implement the UNDP RBEC online communication strategy, revise as necessary and monitor implementation
Help to analyze data on behaviour and feedback of web site users and social media metrics and respond accordingly
Manage and update regional public web site:
- Create overall online narrative for sustainable development, and all subsequent issue-related content on UNDP’ regional web site
- Optimize all content on UNDP’s regional web site, and assist UNDP Country Offices to do the same, providing specific guidelines and customized support
- Assist with compelling narratives for infographics, in collaboration with UNDP colleagues and designers
- Liaise with colleagues to review and update web content
- Migrate up to date, high quality and strategic content to new design
- Lead usability exercise for UNDP’s regional web site, and devise responses for web site feed back and user behaviour
- Adapt structure and presentation of information as necessary
- Showcase development results and successes, data, publications, knowledge products, experts, podcasts, photos and videos
- Research and write weekly web news articles, and interviews drawn from UNDP results and successes in the region
- Rewrite and/or edit contributions for the website from New York, BRC and COs in the region
- Assist with archiving of content and development of search capabilities for archived materials
Engage audiences through use of social media – maintaining UNDP’s regional Facebook, YouTube, FlickR, Twitter, Issuu, Slideshare
Market digital content via social media platforms
Maintain blog, including editing and posting all UNDP regional blog posts
Test and roll out new tools
Provide advice on content, structure, design, branding, presentation, use and development of various online platforms
Support COs with social media engagement, and web site management
Develop and disseminate multimedia public information material. This includes research, writing, editing, design, photography, video and audio production, as well as collecting and reflecting input from UNDP colleagues – including Practices, CO communications officers and/or programme and project staff, BRC management, RBEC NY, Communications Office, web developers, IT professionals, and designers
Provide constructive and timely advice on strategic online communication and advocacy related to UNDP programmes and projects
Liaise with colleagues to identify communication needs

Expected outputs:

RBEC online strategy implemented
All content on RBEC site optimized for the web. Content management workflow established
In cooperation with web analyst, updated content is migrated to new corporate Web design
Multimedia news stories and success stories on UNDP work in the region researched, written, edited and posted – in cooperation with UNDP Country Offices and Practices
Social media platforms are regularly updated and engage online audiences
Regional blog maintained with edited and regularly updated posts
Online content from UNDP throughout the region is shared, and priority content marketed strategically via social media platforms and web sites
Communication Officers in the region are supported in terms of social media engagement and web site management, with more intensive support for innovation pilots
Strategic input provided to communication activities and UNDP flagship products and projects
Podcast feed for audio and video productions established and maintained

The Online Communication Specialist reports to the Regional Knowledge and Innovation Team Leader, and is supported by the Web Analyst on technical issues. S/he will work closely with the Communications Advisor.

Because the contract is long-term with multiple outputs and functions, payments will be made on a monthly basis.

Competencies

Ability to manage web sites and produce content for the web
Ability to manage and coordinate content producers
Professional copy writing and editing skills, including articles, reports, press releases, blogs etc.
Proficient in establishing strategies to further the organization’s mission
Ability to practice a high level of discretion and sensitivity when sharing information with the public
Good understanding of social media engagement and online platforms
Keen eye for detail

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelor degree in English studies, public information or media studies
Demonstrable experience (min 3 years) of developing and implementing online communications strategies and related policies and guidelines
Significant experience (min 3 years) in managing websites and producing compelling content for the web.
Good understanding of usability and information architecture principles
Experience (min 2 years) with managing social media accounts
Good understanding of online marketing and engagement principles
At least six years experience in the field of public information and advocacy for international organizations
English (Native-level English is a must)
Prior experience working in the Europe and CIS Region and knowledge of the region an advantage
Knowledge of UNDP style and standards an advantage

Evaluation of applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. An interview will be part of the evaluation process.
Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Experience (min 3 years) developing and implementing online communications strategies and related policies and guidelines, preferably within the UN system– max points: 5
Experience (min 3 years) managing web sites and social media platforms, knowledge of the Europe and CIS Region is an advantage – max points: 10
Experience creating compelling content for the web and managing content creators – max points: 10
IT skills (including confidence with web-based applications, and proficiency in HTML, and software such as Audacity, Adobe In Design, Illustrator, Quark Xpress, PageMaker, PhotoShop, PhotoDeluxe, Microsoft Office, Windows, MacOSX, iMovie, PowerDirector and Dreamweaver) max points: 5
Experience (min 3 years) with professional writing and editing – max points: 5

Financial Criteria – 30 percent of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Application procedures:

The consultant embraces the United Nations core values of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
Applicants are requested to please send:

Cover Letter (in English) stating their interest in and qualifications for the post
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial proposal*
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.