Background

The MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) is a United Nations resource that finances and supports national efforts to accelerate progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Established in 2007 with a contribution from the Spanish Government to the United Nations system, the MDG-F supports national governments, local authorities and citizen organizations in their efforts to tackle poverty and inequality.

Our goals are to:
  • Positively impact the status of the MDGs and tackle inequality;
  • Increase national ownership and civil society participation;
  • Improve aid effectiveness by building on the collective strength of the United Nations.
The MDG-F supports 130 JPs in 50 countries around the world focusing on 8 thematic areas namely gender equality, youth employment, economic governance, culture and development, conflict prevention, environment, child nutrition and private sector.
· Detailed information may be obtained at: www.mdgfund.org
 
The MDG-F Secretariat is the operational coordination unit for the Fund and services the MDG-F Steering Committee. The Secretariat sits in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy of UNDP headquarters. The Secretariat is delegated by the Steering Committee to ensure policies and strategies decided by the Steering Committee are implemented and adhered to.
 
Communication and Advocacy is one of the MDG Funds three global driving strategies and has been identified as a key priority both for reasons of accountability of a large global fund of this nature, but also as a means to advance and advocate for the MDGs. As part of the Communications and Advocacy Strategy created in 2009 and updated in December 2012, the Secretariat is seeking to disseminate the results in Spain, as the main donor that has made this initiative possible. The results achieved by the Fund have been the consequence of an important effort endorsed by the Spanish government and society to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The communications consultant, will be based in Spain with occasional travel to New York, where the MDG Fund Secretariat sits, will produce and implement a targeted communication and advocacy plan to disseminate major results and lessons learned in Spain.

The Communications Consultant, under the overall guidance of the Senior Advisor and the direct supervision of the Advocacy & Partnerships Adviser, will work to support the Communication & Advocacy Unit to deliver key outputs and support processes linked to initiatives that are an ongoing part of Spanish C&A strategy of the Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop a communications and advocacy plan for 2013 with geographical focus on Spain. This plan will be aligned with the global Communication and Advocacy Strategy, will take into account the relevance of the Fund for Spain as its major donor and will highlight the MDG-F’s contribution to Spanish cooperation for development policies.

  • Draft in coordination with the MDG Fund communication and advocacy team a communication plan for 2013 that takes into account the different audiences, messages and activities that can be relevant in the socio political context of Spain.
  • Prepare an institutional and stakeholders detailed analysis to prioritize different Spanish constituencies for a more effective and communication and advocacy plan. The plan will also cover EU and Spanish decentralized development partners (regional and local government and civil society).

Implement the communications and advocacy plan in Spain, once approved and agreed:

  • Organize specific events and activities to share results and lessons learned from the MDG-F experience.
  • Prepare and disseminate communication materials in the form of fact sheets, briefings notes, reports or press releases, among others.
  • Manage media relations, providing examples and experiences from the MDG-F joint programmes that can become the source of potential media stories and respond journalists’ requests of information.
  • Prepare inputs and messages for social media outlets.
  • Guarantee the public presence of the MDG Fund in relevant events on development at the EU, Spain and autonomous community’s level.
  • Articulate the MDG-F contribution to the debates on post 2015 agenda among Spanish and EU development cooperation actors, with special attention to the need of address inequalities to achieve development goals.
  • Guarantee a strategic distribution and disseminate of MDG-F global communication products.

Supports the dissemination of the results from the MDG Fund’s global final evaluation among development partners in Spain and the European Union.

Establish communication and advocacy partnerships with Spanish entities (including government, civil society, universities, foundations and media). The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation and the Millennium Development Campaign, among others.

Support the MDG Fund Secretariat for other communication and advocacy activities that may be required in Spain.

Impact of Results:

The work of the Communication Analyst will have a clear impact on the expansion and effective implementation of the MDG-F Communication and Advocacy work plan and strategy.

 

Competencies

  • Strong understanding and knowledge of development issues, particularly those related to poverty reduction, inequality and the MDGs.
  • Exceptional understanding of international organizations, the European Union and Spain institutional and political contexts.
  • Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendations, in a clear and persuasive manner that is tailored to match different audiences.
  • Experience designing creative, attractive and compelling communication and advocacy materials that promote MDGs and development work. Demonstrated experience in dissemination of these.
  • Demonstrated experience working with traditional and social media to advocate for policy change at the national and/or international level.
  • Proven ability to find creative solutions to complex problems with an excellent ability to work effectively under pressure and with tight timelines.
  • Results Oriented: Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results in accordance with time and budget targets.
  • Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders and partners on a common agenda coordinating complex relationships with ease.
  • Strong inter-personal skills: Ability to motivate and inter-act with colleagues at all levels within the organization as well as with social networks, NGOs, academic institutions and inter-agency partners.
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness; displays cultural sensitivity; shows strong corporate commitment; honest and complies with UNDP rules, regulations and code of conduct.
  • Highly motivated, a self-starter with an excellent combination of strategic vision on advocacy and communication as well as practical technical skills.
  • Proficient in the use of computers and office software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master's degree in the following relevant fields: social or political science, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in international development, communication, advocacy and social mobilization.
  • Professional experience developing communication strategies for international organizations and/or public administrations.

Language:

  • Proficiency in Spanish and English.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA:

  • Extensive experience designing and implementing communication and advocacy plans: 25 points.
  • Experience developing communication strategies for international organizations and/or public administrations: 25 points.
  • Knowledge of international development cooperation and multilateral political environment: 20 points.
  • Written test results (shortlisted candidates are expected to take a written test prior to the interview): 30 points.

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

Documents to be included in the application (only 1 file can be uploaded):

All interested applicants should submit the following requirements. The following 4 documents should be merged in a standalone file including all them, since the online application submission does only permit to upload one file per application. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification.

  • Brief expression of interest: a brief narrative on why you think you are qualified to undertake the consultancy.
  • A current and complete C.V. in English with indication of 3 references as well as the permanent e-mail and phone contact.
  • Duly completed UNDP Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc
  • Financial proposal: Daily rate

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are shorted-listed will be contacted.
The Secretariat will cross check previous work experience and expertise.