UNDP Jobs - 51579- Consultancy for the Design of a Communications Str

Consultancy for the Design of a Communications Strategy for REDD+ and the UN-REDD Programme in PNG

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

05-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days within 3 months

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

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the most significant areas of largely-intact tropical forest in the world, although these forests appear to be facing acute and imminent threats. The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) estimates that approximately 60% of the total area of the country is covered by natural forests, of which 52% are considered production forests (for timber and other products), and 48% are for conservation (not for timber extraction due to inaccessibility or ecological constraints).

Approximately 10 per cent of global GHG emissions are caused by land-use change and, in particular, the destruction of tropical forests. In 2001 it was estimated that PNG was responsible for between 2 and 7 per cent of global tropical emissions. Slowing deforestation and forest degradation is a likely cost effective way of reducing carbon emissions compared to other mitigation strategies, such as curbing emissions from power stations. Since 2005, PNG has been at the forefront of putting on the international agenda the issue of compensating countries for reducing their emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) through international carbon financing mechanisms.
REDD+ is a mechanism to create an incentive for developing countries to protect, better manage and wisely use their forest resources, contributing to the global fight against climate change.

The success of REDD+ to a great extent depends on clear and accurate information dissemination. Stakeholders at all levels need access to the same and coherent information, establishing a common ground of understanding and attaining realistic expectations. As such, the message sent out by all participating parties in REDD+ should follow a “one-message” approach and should be coordinated at the national level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work for the consultancy will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following key activities:

Situation analysis / scoping

Undertake a scoping mission to Port Moresby to liaise with UNDP country office staff, government counterparts, NGOs involved in REDD+ development and implementation in PNG;
Support the delivery of a roundtable meeting or one-day workshop among relevant REDD+ stakeholders in PNG to discuss and agree upon the objectives of REDD+-related communications in PNG. One of the main tasks of the workshop would be to lay out the “one-message” approach: identify key messages of the REDD+ initiatives and introduce the idea of common communications products;
Carry out a gap analysis of communication activities/products, including assessment of current capacity of the government counterparts to communicate, deliver outreach activities, etc.;
Identify the national partner for implementing the communication strategy and prepare the ToR;
Compile an inventory of existing communications products and propose a list of recommendations and branding standards for future products in PNG;
Draft a communications situation analysis report;
Perform other REDD+ communications-related duties as may be assigned.

Development of communications strategies and implementation plan

On the basis of the situation analysis and stakeholder consultations, develop a communications strategy for REDD+ in PNG which includes methods/approaches/forms of media for reaching diverse groups of stakeholders, key messages, types of information to be communicated and timelines and budgets for implementation. The communications strategy should have a separate approach for social media channels, with current gaps in technology and knowledge clearly identified. The strategy should also include approaches for disseminating information on REDD+ in PNG to the international community;
Draft a communications work plan with a clear outline of the steps required (including capacity building) and the timeframe involved. A tentative budget should be prepared;
Develop a communications strategy for the last year of the UN-REDD National Programme in PNG and related REDD+ readiness support projects including support from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). The strategy should focus on increasing publicity and disseminating results of the UN-REDD Programme in PNG to relevant national and international stakeholders;
Develop at least 2 success stories on the UN-REDD Programme in PNG for regional/national media platforms;
Prepare a UN-REDD pamphlet or brochure outlining the programme’s activities and outputs.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal and communications skills;
Exceptional analytical skills, solution oriented programme design skills;
Research and evaluation skills including ability to synthesize information;
Excellent oral communications abilities and effective presentation and report-writing skills;
Ability to work under with minimum supervision while meeting deadlines;
Demonstrated ability of timely completion of assignments;
Strong facilitation skills;
Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural settings;
Excellent computer skills.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree (Master’s or PhD) in the field of communications, natural science, social science/sociology, rural/international development, or a related field.

Experience:

Proven experience in developing communications strategies in a developing country context;
Experience with engaging diverse ranges of stakeholders, including at the local level, is an advantage;
At least three years of experience in multiple-media communications. Online and social media communications experience in international organization, non-profit and government sector would be an asset.
Experience in using new technologies, web-based platforms and social media networks is an asset;
Experience in PNG and/or the Pacific region;
Experience working in the UN system would be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English.