Background

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder for including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

As the UN system's development program and a GEF Implementing Agency since 1991, UNDP also supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner. UNDP-GEF offers countries highly specialized technical services for eligibility assessment, program/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management.

Within this overall background, UNDP is seeking the support of a specialist on communications and knowledge management. The specialist will be responsible, within a project team environment, to develop a set of key communications and knowledge products based on the results and impacts of UNDP’s Climate Change Adaptation Portfolio. The targeted audience for communications and knowledge products will be decision makers at the national and sub-national level of the countries targeted by this programme, key donors, UNDP staff as well as the general public. The communications and knowledge products should raise awareness and build capacity in UNDP’s client countries to inform and guide a medium to long term approach to addressing climate change adaptation.

This tailored support will complement ongoing UNDP ledactivities to strengthen the capacities of client countries to reduce the impact of climate change on development efforts, especially those focused on poverty reduction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

Working within a project team, the Communications and Reporting Expert is expected to develop several products that will showcase the impact of UNDP’s portfolio on reducing the impact of climate change on development priorities in key sectors in client countries. This includes:

  • Prepare a set of knowledge products over the duration of the contract;
  • Support the sensitization of senior decision makers within UNDP on the results and impacts of the programme as well as others focused on adaptation in the context of UNDP’s Strategic Plan Objectives;
  • Identify and communicate the best practices from the programme, in the context of adaptation to climate change and access to climate finance
  • Enhance visibility of Climate Change Adaptation Programme, including and beyond the use of UNDP’s web portal, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Scope of Work:

Working in coordination with oversight and project staff at the global, regional and national  level, the consultant will be responsible for:

  • Enhancing web-presence of the UNDP CCA programme so that information on the programme, ongoing country level work financed by the programme and associated results and impacts of programme activities can be shared broadly;
  • Support Head of Programme in finalizing 6 publications based on the CCA portfolio;
  • Prepare new publications on climate change adaptation and climate finance related topics, such as access to climate finance at local level, supporting countries on climate information and early warning systems and mainstreaming climate change into planning and budgeting
  • Support in maintaining the UNDP-GEF Adaptation Portfolio application, which enables programme staff to have immediate access to portfolio information for the purpose of communicating with government, UNDP staff and development partners
  • Support UNDP staff in preparation of communications and cutting-edge knowledge materials. (The focus of the type of materials will be agreed upon at the commencement of the consultancy with flexibility to adapt them over time as results/feedback is received);
  • Suggest and develop short news updates and knowledge pieces for the UNDP corporate/ adaptation specific websites and social media windows on a regular basis;
  • Guide the development of infographics and other communications materials (to be developed by other team members) to convey UNDP’s support to countries in advancing adaptation at scale through public and private sector responses;
  • Document current activities of the programme as well as other relevant initiatives financed by UNDP in partnership with multiple donors on climate change adaptation (i.e. research, knowledge sharing events, innovation event series) and re-package these for communication purposes in the form of a leaflet, blogs, press-releases/briefings, briefing notes, video scripts, etc.;
  • Support the drafting of speeches for speaking engagements / events financed by the programme;
  • Assist UNDP programme and project staff in event organization and management.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

  • Preparation of at least 5 Quarterly Newsletters for 2015;
  • 6 publications finalized for publication;
  • Finalized drafts of 3 additional publications on topics such as access to climate finance at local level, supporting countries on climate information and early warning systems and mainstreaming climate change into planning and budgeting;
  • 5-7 sets of briefing notes, reports, PPT presentations (10 slide versions);
  • 5-7 updates per week on programme’s successes and dissemination via social media, electronic newsletter and/or other means;
  • Up to-date Adaptation Portfolio Application with information from all projects in the UNDP-GEF financed portfolio;
  • 10 infographics prepared to depict the results and impacts of the portfolio;
  • 10 Photo Stories on supporting countries to integrate climate change concerns into their planning and budgeting processes, with a focus on the agriculture sector;
  • 2-3 short stories per month of the results/impacts from the UNDP-GEF Climate Change Adaptation portfolio;
  • 5-7 drafts of speeches for events where UNDP has to represent the CCA portfolio;
  • Satisfactory support provided to the organization and conduct of 2 global events on CCA.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be supervised by the Head of Climate Change Adaptation (Global), UNDP-GEF and/or his designate throughout the consultancy. The consultant will work with Global and Regional Technical Advisors specializing in adaptation and disaster risk reduction.  Reporting on deliverables will be on a monthly basis. The consultant will be expected to produce the deliverables using his/her own IT equipment. Printing facilities for finalized and cleared draft products will be provided by UNDP.

Target Due Dates: May 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 20 days)

Deliverables:

  • Finalize Poverty-CCA publication;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Outline for Publication on Climate finance at local level;
  • Preparation of 1x Power Point Presentation for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • 1xdraft speech and/or briefing note.

Target Due Dates: June 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 20 days)

Deliverables:

  • Finalize Asia-CCA Publication;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Preparation of 2 Power Points for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Preparation of 1x Power Point Presentation for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 infographics finalized;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • 1xdraft speech and/or briefing note.

Target Due Dates: July 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • Quarterly Newsletter;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized.

Target Due Dates: August 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • Finalize Private Sector-CCA Publication;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 infographics finalized;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • 1xdraft speech and/or briefing note.

Target Due Dates: September 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • Finalize Africa –CCA Publication;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Preparation of 1x Power Point Presentation for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 infographics finalized;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • Support provided to organize and conduct global event.

Target Due Dates: October 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 20 days)

Deliverables:

  • Finalize ECIS – CCA publication;
  • Quarterly Newsletter;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • 1xdraft speech and/or briefing note.

Target Due Dates: November 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 20 days)

Deliverables:

  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 infographics finalized;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio.

Target Due Dates: December 2015 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 20 days)

Deliverables:

  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Preparation of 1x Power Point Presentation for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 infographics finalized;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized.

Target Due Dates: January 2016 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • Quarterly Newsletter;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • 1xdraft speech and/or briefing note.

Target Due Dates: February 2016 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Preparation of 1x Power Point Presentation for Head- CCA on results/impacts of portfolio (focus to be determined);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • Finalization of 1xPhoto Story on CCA-Ag Sector;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized;
  • Support provided to organize and conduct global event.

Target Due Dates: March 2016 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 15 days)

Deliverables:

  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized.

Target Due Dates: April 2016 (Estimated Duration to Complete - 10 days)

Deliverables:

  • Quarterly Newsletter;
  • 20 Tweets Prepared (5 tweets/week);
  • Update of Adaptation Portfolio Application;
  • 2 short stories on results/impacts from portfolio finalized.

All deliverables will be reviewed by Head-CCA, UNDP-GEF unit and approval is required.

Review time required:

The review and approval of payments will be made by the assigned supervisor(s) within 14 days.

Competencies

Professionalism:

  • Knowledge of editorial policies, practices and research techniques;
  • Solid writing and analytical abilities with sensitivity to nuance;
  • Ability to spot errors and inconsistencies in a text;
  • Shows pride in work and in achievements;
  • demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
  • conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
  • remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning& Organizing:

  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
  • identifies priority activities and assignments;
  • adjusts priorities as required;
  • allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
  • foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
  • monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
  • uses time efficiently.

Teamwork:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
  • willing to learn from others;
  • places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
  • shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant shall have the following qualifications:

Education:

  • Master degree in international development, journalism and media, economic development, public policy, economic or closely related fields.

Professional Experience:

  • A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience. Relevant experience can include areas such as communications, formulating project documents, strategies;
  • Experience working with and delivering support to international, local partners and governments in LDCs;
  • Sound understanding of sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impacts of climate change and other related sustainable human development issues;
  • Experience working in LDCs and or developing countries.

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in English is essential.

Contract duration:

  • 04 May 2015 – 14 April 2016 (maximum 200 working days).

Duty Station:

  • Bangkok with possible travel to the countries targeted by the climate change adaptation programme.

Expected places of travel: 

Travel to programme countries in the region is possible.  Destination shall be assigned and approved prior to travel. For all international travel expected of this consultancy, return air-tickets on least-cost, economy fares will be arranged and paid separately. Once a mission plan is drafted, the consultant will submit the request for travel to the supervisor of this contract at least 3 weeks prior to the travel dates.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The contract will be based on daily fee

Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract will 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 (70%) and financial criteria (30%) specific to the solicitation.

Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 500 points)

  • Criteria 1 : Education - Max 75 points;
  • Criteria 2 : Years of relevant work experience areas of communications, formulating project documents, strategies - Max 150 points;
  • Criteria 3 : Experience working with and delivering support to international, local partners and governments in LDCs, - Max 125 points;
  • Criteria 4 : Experience in sustainable human development, environmental management issues, adaptation, vulnerability and impacts of climate change and other related sustainable human development issues, - Max 100 points;
  • Criteria 5 : Fluency in English - Max 50 points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

  • 1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex 2.
  • 2. Personal CV and P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
  • 3. Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex 2.
  • 4. Technical proposal, including a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Annexes :

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to brh.gef.procurement@undp.org.