UNDP Jobs - 50239- Re-advertisement

Re-advertisement - Writer

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 working days spread out over a 5 month period

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

The purpose of this consultancy will be documenting transformational change success stories[1], and assisting in producing a publication, of UNDP projects and programmes in Asia and the Pacific region. The stories should highlight demonstrable results and how these have changed beneficiaries’ lives. Special emphasis should be placed on illustrating UNDP’s added value and specific contribution to the success of the activities. The results and impact should pertain to programme or project activities, both completed and on-going. The description of these results and impact will come mainly from initial drafts of stories and reports submitted by UNDP Country Offices in Asia and the Pacific region.

[1] These are defined as stories that capture tangible, evidence-based, development results, which comprise lasting institutional and individual capacity development that ultimately contributes to sustained improvements in peoples’ lives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision and overall guidance of the Directorate of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and its communications adviser, based in NY Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the UNDP regional communications adviser in Bangkok, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

Read and review the success stories and related material received from UNDP Country Offices;
Analyze the lessons learned from each of the stories and their relevance to the priorities laid out in the UNDP Strategic Plan;
In consultation with the RBAP directorate, assist in selecting the stories that will be included in the compendium of success stories.The stories should represent priority programming areas, including poverty, local development, democratic governance, crisis and post conflict, and energy and environment.

Prepare a write up for each of the success stories, and in doing so, adhere to the following requirements, which Country Offices have been requested to meet as well:

Accentuate how the selected projects help achieve development goals in the country of origin;
Place special emphasis on the role that gender, capacity development, knowledge sharing and partnerships played in the achievement of results, considering especially the middle income context of most of the countries in the region;
Specify the role that UNDP has played in carrying out the project. What is UNDP’s value added? What did it bring in terms of project implementation and approach that no other organization or entity could have provided?
Explain how the results achieved at the project level contributed to addressing overall development outcomes and impacted on addressing the countries’ key development challenges;
Adapt the language and contents to the target audiences, which comprise government officials, donor representatives, development practitioners and the general public;
Prepare short and more punctuated versions of the write-ups for inclusion in the web-based platforms and systems, including the soon to be rolled out Content Management System;
Assist in writing up the overarching narrative which helps link and bind the selected success stories together, under a common analytical framework aligned with UNDP corporate policy and priorities;
Assist the regional communications specialists in seeking additional inputs and clarifications from UNDP staff and project personnel associated with the success stories and their publication.

Outputs

The deliverables of the consultancy will comprise the following:

Fifteen (15) write ups of about 1200-1400 word each. These write-ups will be compiled into a single publication;
Develop a coherent and consistent format for each story, based on existing templates for success stories, including web-based templates and the Content Management System;
Correspond through established channels of communication (i.e. the RBAP communications advisers in NY and Bangkok) with focal points in country offices to review/validate written material and obtain clarifications, and or additional data, photos and materials as required;
A 2-3 page executive summary for the publication;
A final draft of the publication report, which should be about 60-80 pages in length depending on the number of stories and length of each story, font size and spacing, ready to be submitted to graphic designer.

Competencies

Strong written and oral communication skills in English;
Excellent Interpersonal skills and experience working in teams;
Keen understanding of development and UNDP;
Ability to integrate knowledge and articulate linkages between multi-disciplinary materials;
Highly organized, detailed oriented and punctual with producing outputs on deadline;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree, preferably in communications and journalism, international relations, social science or development studies; or
Under graduate degree with commensurate number of years of relevant experience.

Experience and skills:

At least 5 years of experience in writing and editing reports, papers and publications on development issues, including; development experience in programme and project management, especially monitoring and evaluation;
Relevant experience working with UNDP and/or other UN agencies in the region is an advantage;
Practical knowledge of results-based project management methodology and terminology;
IT skills and knowledge, including desk top publishing.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Fluency in UN languages an asset.

Application Procedure:

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

Proposal: explaining why they are the most suitable for the work including past experience in similar Projects
Financial proposal (in USD, specifying a total requested amount per day, including all related costs, e.g. fees, per diems, phone calls etc. );
Dully completed and signed P11 Form or personal CV and at least 3 references.