Background

Under the supervision of the Director of the Office of Communications (OC), Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, and in close collaboration with the Deputy Director and two other OC Section Chiefs, the consultant in charge of Media Relations and Campaigns is responsible for all aspects of media relations and UNDP campaigns.

He/she leads a New York-based team and is responsible for increasing UNDP’s capacity to communicate at the Country, Regional, and HQ levels, and for helping strengthen UNDP’s positioning among key partners and target audiences.

He/she is expected to have strong understanding of strategic communications approaches for effective advocacy and campaigning.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Consultant:

• Advises HQ Bureaus, Regional Centers, Representative Offices and Country Offices across the globe on media outreach and other communications activities and tools;
• Provides ongoing strategic direction, advice and guidance on UNDP advocacy;
• Leads a New York based team in all media outreach activities;
• Is responsible for OC editorial coordination;
• Supports the Communications Director / Spokesperson in handling crisis communications;
• Mobilizes OC services to support key corporate communications initiatives, including Regional and Country Office undertakings that offer global communications potential.
• Coordinates communication of all key UNDP global campaigns;
• With the support of the TV Broadcast Specialist, identifies and pursues television news opportunities to showcase UNDP’s work in the field in support of the MDGs and other practice areas;
• With support of the Team, develops and implements a media relations plan and key messages for positioning UNDP;
• Provides leadership and oversight to target key influential journalists in donor and programme countries and develops communications tools (press briefings, feature stories and op-eds) to support the strategic communications plan;
• Ensures that all media relations efforts are targeted at enhancing UNDP’s positioning in priority areas, i.e. MDGs and the practices;
• Through the fostering of new partnerships with media, private sector and enterprises and other organizations, works to increase the visibility of UNDP activities and advocacy; 
• Works in consultation with the Bureau for Development Policy and the Human Development Report Office to position UNDP and achieve advocacy on key development issues;
• Works closely with Regional Advisors and Country Offices to identify opportunities for UNDP-led media development seminars and projects in programme countries.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Shows general knowledge of and strong commitment to UNDP key practice areas and the Millennium Development Goals;
• Conceptualizes, elaborates and implements communications strategies and manages high-level partnerships;
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge and experience in strategic communications and media relations.

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client;
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including the Administrator and Senior Management at HQ and in the regions;
• Effectively manages teams and creates an enabling work environment;
• Demonstrates conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, social science, international relations or a development-related field;
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in one of the academic disciplines listed above in combination with relevant qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional in media relations or journalism;
• Strong knowledge of international media, including television and print, a must;
• Extensive international-level experience including experience working in the field as communications professional highly desirable;
• Prior experience working with the United Nations and in developing countries an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English mandatory;
• Working knowledge of a second UN language a strong asset.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, drawing on their knowledge and previous experience;
2. P11 or Personal CV and at least 3 references;
3. Financial proposal specifying the daily fee, which should include all related expenses including related benefits and insurance. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as a separate line.
   
   In the case of unforeseen travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, 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.

* Technical Criteria weight: 70%
* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Criteria for evaluation of candidates:

• Level of experience in media outreach and global campaigns: 20%;
• Story gathering and editing skills: 25%
• Understanding of UNDP’s mandate and demonstrated familiarity with key development issues: 10%;
• Experience in crisis communications and/or reputation management: 25%;
• Ability to lead and manage a team in a multicultural environment: 20%.

Individual Consultant General Terms and Conditions can be found at: