UNDP Jobs - 51136- Junior Consultant to Support the Implementation of

Junior Consultant to Support the Implementation of Cross-regional Grant Competition

Location :

Home-based, no travel required

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated November 2014 – June 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Up to 80 working days

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

UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and the CIS and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) are launching the first joint cross-regional grants competition. The purpose of the competition is to strengthen the capacity of civil society actors from Europe and Central Asia and the Middle East and North Africa regions to jointly develop, test and/or share innovative solutions to the development challenges shared by the two regions. The grant competition will be dedicated to a variety of not-for-profit organizations. Solutions in the form of small scale projects can be developed jointly by at least one grant-seeker from the MENA region and at least one from Europe and Central Asia, or can originate in one region and address specific challenges in the other region.

The grant funding shall be provided to projects in two broad thematic areas:

Affordable energy and water solutions, in particular solutions to “energy poverty” through sustainable energy, waste management, water security, water resource management solutions, shelter and sustainable agriculture;
Economic governance and employment (including but not limited to: youth employment, women labor market participation, life skills development, support to entrepreneurship).

Special consideration will be placed on projects targeting vulnerable populations affected by new crises in the MENA region.

The grants will support pilot projects, joint research, and/or knowledge sharing initiatives that contribute to institutional change and that can later be scaled up or sustained for bigger impact. The funding will focus on projects dealing with testing and implementing new approaches, adapting existing approaches to new contexts, or applying what has been learned from previous work.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the cross-regional grant scheme, in particular for communications and outreach.

Specific tasks will include:

Developing a communications plan/strategy (text / visual presentation) to ensure effective dissemination of the call among potential grant-seekers. The plan must include a long-list of websites, organizations (potential grant-seekers in the two regions), and social media outlets, which will be used to target potential grant seekers. It must also include identification of the method used to target potential grant-seekers;
Transforming the text of the call for proposals into a simpler and easy to understand version for the Web. As required, working on layout and visual identification of the call together with the graphic designer;
Developing or providing guidance to specialized contractor on the production of short video animation about how to apply for the grants;
Supporting the Partnership Development Consultant in developing: Application Form, Detailed Budget, list of required attachments, and selection criteria;
Launching the call for proposals in collaboration with Online Communications Specialist, including in media and web outlets identified in communications plan and through targeted dissemination to potentially interested organizations via direct mailing;
Communicating with and addressing various questions from interested organizations about the competition;
Assist in performing other tasks related to the grant scheme, as required.

Deliverables:

Communications plan/strategy (text and visual presentation) (ca.12 pages, excluding annexes, and presentation – in PPT format or using online presentation software);
List of relevant websites, social media outlets, and potential grant-seekers in Europe/CIS and the MENA regions with contact details;
Revised text of the call for proposals;
Script for short video animation, guidance for graphic designer on layouts and visual identification;
Revisions to grant competition documents: Application Form, Detailed Budget, required attachments, and selection criteria;
Targeted dissemination of the call for proposals to interested organizations.

Exact content and timing for each deliverable will be agreed upon with the Supervisor at the beginning of each month. Payments will be made based on a progress report against deliverables and approved timesheet submission providing details on time spent on respective deliverables, their timely execution and acceptance by Supervisor.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent organizational skills;
Quick learner;
Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse people;
Ability to work in a team;
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
Excellent IT skills, particularly Internet research, online intelligence, video and photo editing, design software, as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
Knowledge and interest in international development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree, preferably Master’s degree, in communications, public relations, international relations, development studies, environmental studies, or other relevant disciplines. (Criteria A).

Experience:

At least 1 year of experience in the field of communications, particularly digital communications or social media for a not-for-profit or international organization;
Experience in graphic design, multimedia, video animation and editing would be an asset. (Criteria B);
Experience in or knowledge of the not-for-profit sectors in Europe/CIS and the MENA regions in thematic areas of the call for proposals. (Criteria C).

Languages:

Excellent and effective English writing and communication skills are required. (Criteria D).

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

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

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 35 points:

Criteria A (University Degree in communications, public relations, international relations, development studies, environmental studies, or other relevant disciplines) – max 5 points;
Criteria B (At least 1 year of experience in the field of communications, particularly digital communications or social media for a not-for-profit or international organization. Experience in graphic design, multimedia, video animation and editing would be an asset) – max 10 points;
Criteria C (Experience in or knowledge of the not-for-profit sectors in Europe/CIS and the MENA regions in thematic areas of the call for proposals) – max 10 points;
Criteria D (Excellent and effective English writing and communication skills) – max 10 points.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Application procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining briefly why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled and duly signed P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees; please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a daily rate in USD. Exact content and timing for each deliverable will be agreed upon with the Supervisor at the beginning of each month. Payments will be made based on a progress report against deliverables and approved timesheet submission providing details on time spent on respective deliverables, their timely execution and acceptance by Supervisor;
The payment schedule will be agreed on in writing with the consultant prior to issuance of contract;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Please note that the financial proposal (daily rate in USD) is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. professional fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). Travel costs required to perform the duties under the Contract, if any, will be covered separately in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.