UNDP Jobs - 55421- International Consultant to Assist the UN Country

International Consultant to Assist the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan (UNCT) to Develop a Print Ready Copy of a Joint Publication on 2010-2015 UNDAF Implementation Achievements

Location :

Home-based with One Mission to Turkmenistan

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

21-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

May 2015- September 2015

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 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

The Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations agencies are committed to working together, and with the people of Turkmenistan, to make a lasting contribution to national development priorities and to the changes that will help them to live longer, healthier and more prosperous lives. This partnership is currently framed under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2010-2015.

This year marks the last year of the UNDAF, which also coincides with Turkmenistan’s 20th anniversary of Neutrality and the UN Secretary General’s visit to the country. To highlight the Government of Turkmenistan and UN achievements under the current UNDAF and to describe the new Partnership Framework for Development for 2016-2020, the UN Country Team has proposed to develop a UN publication on achievement stories. The publication, which will be developed in Turkmen, Russian and English, will serve as an advocacy and communication tool for various audiences.

Producing a strong visual printed document will enable the UN to stress on its new positioning and connect to the public perceptions of effectiveness, efficiency and competence. The communication document will also be a powerful starting point for demonstrating the effectiveness of collaboration and building consensus around a positive agenda for the future. The unique, sharp and distinctive publication by means of sensitive photography, unique designs and strong visuals along with concise texts will give a clear idea of what the UN and Government have achieved together within the last five years.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the qualified individual will develop a print-ready copy of a publication on achievements in the implementation of the 2010-2015 UNDAF including layout, design, photos and charts.

The document shall focus on:

achievements of the UN agencies in Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan’s international involvement within the frameworks of cooperation with the United Nations and its structural bodies; and
directions of future cooperation.

In addition, the publication aims to:

Build a positive and unified image of the UN in Turkmenistan;
Increase public understanding about the work of the UN in the country;
Inform the public about positioning of the UN in the country in connection with signing of the new 2016-2020 Turkmenistan-United Nations Partnership Framework for Development (PFD) document;
Reinforce UN commitment to Governmental processes;
Increase awareness of the UN mandate;
Strengthen an environment conducive to dialogue.

The publication will be a 35-40 p. booklet highlighting UN mission in Turkmenistan, 2010-2015 UNDAF activities and achievements based on a thematic approach in the country. It will target key UN partners:

Government;
Development partners;
UN agencies HQ;
UN staff;
NGOs and academia, public at large.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Following the meetings with the UN agencies and staff during the in-country mission, the Incumbent shall be tasked to accomplish the following expected deliverables:

Provide concept/outline of the publication including the table of contents, proposed design, layout and graphic/charts of the publication;
Define necessary materials and photographs required from the UN Agencies for this publication;
Structure and edit, during the in-country mission, all inputs from the UN agencies into a uniform, easy readable draft publication, which communicates clear results;
Consolidate and edit a draft publication divided by themes;
Edit photo materials provided by the UN agencies; as required produce photos;
Prepare and submit draft publication to the UNCT for comments and suggestions;
Consolidate comments from the UNCT and submit a final print ready copy within set deadlines to ensure on-time production of the publication.

Outputs:

The outputs expected are outlined below:

Deliverable/Output 1: Total days assigned to this deliverable: 5 in country mission days.

Provide a draft concept/outline of the publication based on scope of works, including the table of contents, suggested design, layout and graphics/charts with an easy readable style for discussion and approval by UNCT - estimated duration to complete:Within 3 working days of the in- country visit;
Define the necessary materials and photographs that the UN Agencies need to provide - estimated duration to complete: Within 5 working days of the in- country mission;
If professional photos are required in addition to those provided by the UN agencies, define clearly in writing with examples what is required so that a local professional can be recruited- estimated duration to complete: Within 5 working days of the in- country mission.

Deliverable/Output 2: Total days assigned to this deliverable: 15 Home based days:

Provide a revised draft of Outline/ Concept based on feedback from UNCT - estimated duration to complete: Within 5 days of completion of in country mission (home-based);
Provide the first draft according to the agreed Outline/ Concept - estimated duration to complete: With 30 working days of receiving material from UN agencies.

Deliverable/Output 3: Total days assigned to this deliverable: 5 Home based Days:

Prepare final print ready copy based on the feedback received from UN agencies - estimated duration to complete: Within 10 working days of receiving UN feedback on draft.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent is expected to work on a daily basis in coordination with the UN Coordination Analyst under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator. She/he shall update the UNCT on the progress of implementation of the assignment. All organizational support and necessary meetings for the expert will be facilitated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

Duration of the Work

The duration of the assignment is 25 working days over 3 months. The assignment shall start in May 2015 with the final, approved product to be submitted by September 10, 2015. The expert will have home-based work with one in-country mission of 15 working days.

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other costs required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of the consultancy.

Payment will be done in two installments based on the quality and timeliness of presented outputs after acceptance of them by the UN Country Team.

Upon submission of the first draft of the publication to UNCT (30% of total fee);
Upon submission of the finalized print ready version of the publication (70% of total fee).

All costs related to the assignment will be covered through a special fund based on the agreement reached within the UNCT.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent writing and editing skills;
Shares knowledge and experience and provides helpful feedback and advice;
Ability to identify beneficiaries’ needs, and to match them with appropriate solutions;
Excellent communication and interview skills;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in journalism, public relations, communications, social or political science, governance and development.

Experience:

More than five years of professional experience in journalism/report writing;
Extensive experience in designing, editing complex reports and publications essential;
A proven track record of producing high quality reports; samples of publications to be submitted;
Knowledge of UN writing standards, terminology.

Language:

Fluent in English, knowledge of the Russian language is an advantage.

Evaluation Criteria

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100.

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% - maximum 30 points.

The technical evaluation (70%, or max 70 points) will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

University degree in journalism, public relations, communications, social or political science, governance and development – 10 points;
More than five years of professional experience in journalism/report writing – 25 points;
Experience in editing complex reports and publications – 10 points;
Excellent English writing and editing skills, knowledge of Russian is a preference – 10 points;
Detailed methodology to carrying out an assignment – 15 points.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation – max 30 points.
Only the highest ranked candidates found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.