UNDP Jobs - 38992- International Consultant to develop Public Outreac

International Consultant to develop Public Outreach & Voter Education Plan for Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan

Location :

Home based with mission to Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Nov-2013

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 working days in November 2013

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

Turkmenistan has witnessed numerous profound changes since early 2007. For the first time since independence presidential elections were contested by more than one candidate, and the exercise was conducted under a specific election law. In line with the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, domestic and international observers were invited to observe the election, demonstrating increased openness and willingness to cooperate with the international community. Statements by the new President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov indicate orientation towards gradual but broad reforms in such sensitive areas as democratization, human rights, rule of law and civil liberties. Constitutional amendments made following 2007 presidential elections were a step towards democratic path which made the electoral assistance project feasible.

The President lauded the elections of the Parliament in December 2008 as a departure from the past and for the first time ever invited international observers to the country as it strives to make a transition to a more open political system. Recent statement of President indicates the transition of Turkmenistan to the Multi-Party political system which promises range of challenges for the electoral process and the democratic development in general.
Since 2008 the UNDP Country Office in Turkmenistan implements a project on enhancing the electoral system and processes in Turkmenistan, which focuses on providing electoral assistance to the Government of Turkmenistan.
More specifically, the project assists the Central Election Commission (CEC) in:

Strengthening the capacity of CEC in implementation of the Unified Electoral Code;
Strengthening in-house training capacities of Central Election Commission;
Integrating broader range of stakeholders and marginalized groups into electoral processes as well as increasing public awareness;
Strengthening the capacity of CEC to implement the provisions of the Law on Political Parties.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the overall objective of the project and under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the International Consultant will provide consultative support to the beneficiaries – the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan – to develop Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan for Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan and to conduct training for local mass media and journalists. The Consultant will also work closely with the international consultant who will be recruited under the project to support the development of a strategic plan of CEC. More specifically, the International Consultant will have the following tasks:

Review background information on CEC’s public outreach and voter education activities, as well as involvement of journalist in electoral processes; Prepare the training materials for the training for local mass media and journalists;
Mission to Turkmenistan to facilitate the training for local mass media and journalists;
Conduct consultations with CEC officials and develop the structure of the proposed Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan of the CEC;
Produce the first draft of the CEC’s Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan and integrate comments from beneficiaries; Include recommendations on implementing media and public information campaigns on issues related to voter participation and the electoral process;
Prepare the final draft of the Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan.

Outputs:

A review of CEC’s public outreach and voter education activities, as well as involvement of journalist in electoral processes;
Training materials for the training for local mass media and journalists prepared;
A mission to Turkmenistan to facilitate the training for local mass media and journalists;
Consultations with CEC officials on the proposed Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan carried out;
Mission report with final draft of the CEC’s Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan, including recommendations on implementing media and public information campaigns on issues related to voter participation and the electoral process.

Deliverables and timeframe

Phase I

Review background information on CEC’s public outreach and voter education activities, as well as involvement of journalist in electoral processes; Prepare the training materials for the training for local mass media and journalists(Home based)-3 days, November 2013;
Mission to Turkmenistan to facilitate the training for local mass media and journalists(Field work)-3 days, November 2013;
Facilitate the working session and consultations with CEC officials and develop the structure of the proposed Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan of the CEC (Field work)-3 days, November 2013.

Phase II

Produce the first draft of the CEC’s Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan and integrate comments from beneficiaries; Include recommendations on implementing media and public information campaigns on issues related to voter participation and the electoral process(Home based)-3 days, November 2013;
Prepare the final draft of the Public Outreach and Voter Education Plan (Home based)-3 days, November 2013.

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy.

Payment will be released in two installments: 50% (Phase I) and 50 % (Phase II) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
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;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies

Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance;
In depth knowledge of electoral management and administration issues;
Excellent training, facilitation and communication skills;
Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
Good understanding and practical experience of capacity development;
Diplomatic skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in a relevant field, such as law, political science, international relations or a related field.

Experience:

Experience in voter education and public outreach in the area of elections and electoral assistance;
At least 7 years of relevant working experience;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English;
Fluent Russian an advantage.

Submission of applications

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

Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
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;
A brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
Financial proposal: All applicants shall submit a detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum specifying (1) a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and (2) any other possible costs (including vaccinations, travel to and from the mission, dwelling, etc.).

Evaluation Criteria

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria.
Maximum score is 100.

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% - maximum 30 points.

The technical evaluation (70%, or max 70 points) will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

Education: 4 points;
Good knowledge of the UN mandate in the area of democratic governance: 13 points;
Experience in voter education and public outreach in the area of elections and electoral assistance: 25 points;
Relevant working experience: 20 points;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia: 4 points;
Fluency in Russian: 4 points.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation - max 30 points

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor

Recommended contractors, if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.