Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity, as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

Project Objectives    

Raising global AWARENESS of the existence and importance of International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2014 and State of the World Volunteer Report (SWVR) 2 on governance.

• Recognizing the commitment of volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations;
• Informing people about the IMPACT of volunteering on peace and sustainable development goals – virtually and face-to-face;
• Applauding volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations for their dedication and impact.

Project Context / Background / Rationale / Scope    

For IVD 2014 and the launch of the SWVR2, UNV will furnish volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations with tools and evidence to promote the existence and importance of IVD, and to win recognition for the impact of volunteering on peace and development goals. They themselves are to be the ‘brand ambassadors’ for IVD/SWVR and volunteering, and in the lead-up to 5 December 2013 and beyond they will be able to spread the message in a coordinated and unified way.
Likewise, UNV Headquarters (along with partner organizations it attracts) will recognize the time and commitment volunteers give to achieve sustainable development and a better future for all. UNV will do this through disseminating essential facts online and distributing content about the importance of volunteerism and having launch events.
And it will salute those volunteers and organizations most committed to creating positive change for sustainable development or spreading the volunteering message.  The campaign should not only be for UNV headquarters staff and UN Volunteers in the field, but celebrate volunteerism around the world in partnership with other organizations.

Expected Project Output/Outcome:    

• Higher profile for volunteering and its impact on the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs);
  
• Peace and sustainable development, particularly in leading to the Post-2015 discussions;
  
• Better understanding of the impact of volunteering on sustainable development goals, through media, social media and face-to-face outreach in the field (both South and North);
  
• Improved functionality for www.volunteeractioncounts.org website, allowing registered individuals and organizations to submit good practice stories and photos etc. and link up for actions in the field.

Expected Result from the Complete Implementation of this Contract

UNV HQ, Field Units, UN Volunteers, partner organizations, communities and individuals around the world mark IVD 2013 and launch SWVR2 in a unified manner, using UNV-provided themes, information products, messaging and toolkits found via the Volunteer Action Counts website and social media.

Previous work done/history

A desk review and final reports from the past three IVDs (2011-2013) and the Volunteer Action Counts Rio+20 campaign will be supplied by UNV, along with a detailed concept framework of past campaigns and the draft SWVR2 by August 2014.

Other Relevant Information

See also www.volunteeractioncounts.org and www.iyvplus10.org and the first SWVR Report (www.unv.org/swvr2011).

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervised by the Chief of Communications and liaising with the Multimedia Consultant, the individual consultant,consultant will coordinate in the input of the following tasks from HQ with the Multimedia consultancy firm:
Adapt the overall design and architecture of the Volunteer Action Counts website as specified in the campaign concept to the brand and tagline of IVD 2014.
 
Adapt attractive thematic pages with static content provided on governance.
Develop functionality for registered website users to submit limited amount of texts and photos, with appropriate tags and fields for creating thematic pages and / or easy searching by end users.
Develop branded template toolkit for use by UNV Field Units and local partners: templates must be easily down-loadable and adaptable by non-experts with only basic software such as MS Office.
Test and debug all of the above before release, and provide a ‘helpline’ for users in the first weeks.
Develop or augment two videos - one for the Executive Board in June and the other as a launch of the SWVR2 and campaign ‘signature video’.
Collect and analyses data and feedback.
Assist with preparation of pre- launch events for the SWVR.
Produce final report on campaign in cooperation with Campaign Coordinator.

For more information on the expected deliverables, please refer to the detailed Terms of Reference at the following link:

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Proven track record in public relations and international organizations;
• Significant experience (at least two years) in coordinating campaigns;
• Experience in the UN or similar organisation s would be an advantage;
• Good analytical, communication and consolidation skills;
• Knowledge and experience of volunteerism in its diverse manifestations and cultural settings would be an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in communications, development, international relations or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

• Experience and background in communications, specifically in public relations.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is an absolute requirement. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

How to Apply

Applicants have to provide a technical and financial proposal. The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation.

Qualified candidates must apply online via the UNDP website. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review the Terms of Reference (ToR) and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Applications should contain: A brief cover letter, a short summary of relevant qualifications and a technical proposal (not more than 1000 words). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. A current completed and signed P11 form/ UN Personal History Form in English. Blank form can be downloaded from www.sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc

Please also include your CV. Contact details for 3 references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you provide all requested materials. All documents should be scanned and attached in one PDF format document.

The financial proposal should be sent in a separate e-mail and addressed to: procurement@unv.org  clearly marking the job title in the subject line, att Marc Wharton. The financial proposal shall consist of all-inclusive lump sum for the whole duration of the contract period, which shall include the consultancy fee, costs of living, costs for insurance, and cost of travel to and from Bonn, Germany. The financial proposal shall contain a breakdown of these costs and indicate the number of off-days the consultant wants to take during the contract period (if any). The lump sum/contract price is fixed regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components. The financial proposal should be password locked, the procurement entity will request the password once the candidates bid has passed the qualification threshold. The financial offer must be sent before the vacancy announcement deadline.

Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

If you submit an application, UNV expects that you have read and agree with the TOR and the UNV Terms and Conditions, available online:

http://www.unv.org/fileadmin/docdb/pdf/2011/procurement/UNV-IC_Terms%20%20Conditions.pdf

Requests for further information must be sent in writing to procurement@unv.org with Campaign Coordinator attention Marc Wharton. Please note all applications must be submitted via the UNDP Job shop, we cannot accept application solely sent by e-mail, fax or mail.

For more detailed information and the selection evalutation criteria, please follow the link below: