Background

The General Assembly adopted on 21 December by consensus a landmark resolution (67/226) on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR) of UN operational activities for development. The resolution recognizes the value of improving linkages between operational activities and norms and standards such as freedom, peace, security and human rights and the importance of mainstreaming sustainable development into decision-making processes of UN entities. There is also, for the first time intergovernmental recognition of the “Delivering as one” model though it remains a voluntary option.

With regards to the “Delivering as one” model, member states in the QCPR request the UN development system to provide programme countries wishing to adopt the “Delivering as One” approach with an integrated package of support, comprising of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and “Delivering as One” specific guidance on programming, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and other operational areas. The UNDG has finalized SOPs as overarching principles to ensure that “Delivering as one” is firmly focused on results, accountability, monitoring and evaluation and improved outcomes. The UNDG is in the lead for organizing the implementation of “Delivering as one” in three parallel work streams:

• Support of the UNDG Working Mechanisms that are now tasked to develop the specific guidance required for each of the “Ones” of the “Delivering as one” model;
• Support of the UNDG, its Regional Teams and its constituent agencies, funds and programmes to implement important reform measures outlined in the Plan of Action for headquarters;
• Support of UN Country Teams rolling out the “Delivering as one” SOPs.

For further information, visit the UN-DESA QCPR (http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/2012qcpr.htm); UNDG “Delivering as one” (http://www.undg.org/index.cfm?P=7), independent evaluation of “Delivering as one” (https://www.un.org/en/ga/deliveringasone/) and UNDG Delivering as One – Standard Operating Procedures (http://www.undg.org/content/un_reform_and_coherence/delivering_as_one/standard_operating_procedures) websites.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

Develop and implement a communication and change management strategy to:

• Provide communication support and advice to the rollout of the SOPs to help ensure that UNCTs have a good understanding of the technical guidelines and how to implement them;
• Ensure that different stakeholders (mainly UN Staff at the field, regional and headquarters level; national government; national and international development partners) better understand the advantages and opportunities of the Delivering as One approach in order to persuade them to apply and/or support the approach;
• Communicate clearly how the implementation of the SOPs at the country, regional and headquarters can lead to improved ways of achieving development results;
• Overall improvement of DOCO messaging.

Tasks and Deliverables

The expert consultant for communication on change management will cover:

Overall communication and change management strategy of the UNDG and UNDOCO on Delivering as One:

• Develop key communication tools and instruments for DOCO/UNDG on Delivering as One (including leaflets, briefing papers, etc);
• Refine the “UNDG Key Messages on Delivering as One”;
• Develop and design content for the UNDG website;
• Edit and refine content of DOCO messaging;
• Develop attractive presentations, and communication products designed specifically for different audiences
• Write compelling talking points on Delivering as One;

Collect and prepare evidence of results achieved through UN coordination and Delivering as One:

• Collect testimonies from the country level by Resident Coordinators, UNCT members, partner government representatives, development partners on UN coordination and Delivering as One in particular and present them in an attractive and accessible way;
• Conceptualize a short documentary on Delivering as One with regard to the style, content and speakers;
• Review good practice examples on the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures for Delivering as One and turn them into useful instruments to advocate for Delivering as One

Reporting and working hours

• The consultant will report to the Team Leader “Joint Funding, Business Operations and Programming” in UNDOCO and work closely with all other DOCO units, in particular the Regional Liaison Advisors Team;
• The consultant will work remotely for a total of 80 working days which includes, 10 of which will be in New York and will require travel.
  

Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge in change management concepts and strategic planning in large organizations;
• Proven ability to produce communication and advocacy materials in written and multi-media formats.
• Strongly developed communications and public relations skills;
• Excellent written communication skills including in technical and analytic report writing and research.
• Strong technical knowledge and understanding of the UN coherence agenda and joint approaches to programming, funding, leadership, business practices and communication
• Excellent demonstrated ability to be flexible and work under tight deadlines in an independent working environment;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi- cultural environment; 
• Reliability, initiative, thoroughness and attention to detail;
• Enjoy working in a demand-driven environment, motivated by a willingness to respond rapidly and effectively to the needs of many clients;
• Be a talented networker, able to match client requests with support options and identify appropriate consultants;
  
• Ability to work under general guidance or independently, and to multi-task.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience with communications, change management, journalism including experience in the UN development system, preferably including in the field.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English, written and spoken;
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish a considerable asset.

Interested candidates must include the following documents in their application

• A brief technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) responding to the terms of reference;
• Curriculum Vitae including 3 references.

*Please note that you can only upload one document (your CV) during the application process. Applicants are therefore advised to attach to the CV only the technical proposal without financial details. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and contacted to submit a financial offer.

Individual consultants will be evaluated on the cumulative analysis method – combination of the weighted technical and financial score - to obtain the total score. The candidate scoring the highest combined weighted score will be recommended for the award of contract. The designated weights for the technical and financial criteria are 70% and 30% respectively. The maximum score is 100 points.

Step 1: Technical evaluation of the candidates CVs and Proposals. The minimum score required to pass the technical assessment is 70%. Aspects of the technical evaluation will include but is not limited to the following:

• Responsiveness to the terms of reference;
• Relevant work experience;
• Experience and knowledge on the UN Development System;
• Availability to complete the assignment within the prescribed timeline.

Offers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical assessment: maximum 100 points (weight 70%);
• Technical Proposal (40 points);
• CV – Qualification, Relevance and Expertise in the subject matter (30 points);
• Interview (30 points).

Step 2: Financial evaluation of the candidates who passed the technical evaluation in step 1. The lowest financial offer will receive the assigned maximum financial points (100). All other financial offers will receive points in inverse proportion.

The contract will be awarded to the candidate with the highest total score subject to the financial cost being within the hiring unit’s budget allocation.