UNDP Jobs - 56639- Senior Media Relations Consultant (Part-time)

Senior Media Relations Consultant (Part-time)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

04-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6-month (part-time)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6-month with possibility of extension

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 Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F, www.sdgfund.org) is a development cooperation mechanism created in 2014 by UNDP, on behalf of the UN system, with an initial contribution of the Government of Spain, to support sustainable development activities through integrated and multidimensional joint programmes. It builds on the experience, knowledge, lessons learned and best practices of the previous MDG Achievement Fund (2007-2013), while expanding its activities towards sustainable development and a higher attention on public-private partnerships. Gender and women’s empowerment is a cross-cutting priority in all our areas of work. The SDG-F intends to act as a bridge in the transition from MDGs to SDGs, providing concrete experiences on “how” to achieve a sustainable and inclusive world post 2015.

The SDG-F Secretariat is the operational coordination unit for the Fund and services the SDG-F Steering Committee. The Secretariat sits in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) of UNDP headquarters. The Secretariat is delegated by the Steering Committee to ensure policies and strategies decided by the Steering Committee are implemented and adhered to.

The Senior Media Relations Specialist will work under the guidance and supervision of the SDG-F director and in close coordination with the SDG-F communications team. He/She will promote the SDG-F media relations with English-speaking media and news outlets. In addition He/She will convey partners of a potential special initiative on fashion and development.

The work of the incumbent will contribute to the effective implementation of the SDG-F communication and advocacy strategy favoring a productive engagement of the SDG-F with its various stakeholders, especially with media. The activities of this consultancy are part of a partnership for Knowledge, Dialogue and Mobilization for Sustainable Development funded by AECID.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Duties

Media relations: Promoting optimum visibility of SDG-F through effective media relations, placement and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with media outlets:

Lead media outreach with English-language media outlets, working closely with international and global media;
Build network of media contacts in key media outlets;
Promote and position SDG-F’s work in transitioning from MDGs to SDGs with special attention on results and impact through media outreach;
Promote, advocate and raise awareness around SDG-F activities, results, initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles, such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
Build and maintain strong relationships with core journalists;
Proactively market SDG-F’s program work in the media by regularly pitching success stories and placing experts for interviews and commentaries in print and multimedia outlets;
Draft and/or edit a range of materials, including press releases & advisories, news briefs, fact sheets for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
Monitor and analyze media coverage;
Provide communications support to SDG-F senior management;
Foster outreach partnerships with key media outlets, and particularly news agencies that can help SDG-F achieve its global and regional objectives;
Oversee the organization of conferences, events, panels at the international level;
As needed, provide editorial input into all forms of publications, including web-site development.

Fashion and development. Launch a multi-stakeholder platform to analyze how the UN may coordinate sustainable development efforts with the fashion sector:

Identify key companies and academic institutions in the fashion industry that may partner with the SDG Fund;
Produce talking points, speeches, fact sheets and other supporting materials describing how the fashion industry can contribute to the advancement of sustainable development, particularly via partnering with the UN;
Organize roundtable/s and meetings to shape a potential SDG-F’s initiative in fashion and development;
As a result of this process, produce a concept note for the SDG-F Fashion and Development initiative;
Ad-hoc tasks that may be required.

Deliverables and Timelines

Payments will be made on a monthly basis calculated on the basis of a maximum of 16 working days per month.

Payments will be made upon certification by UNDP of the satisfactory delivery of the products related to the TOR and the appropriate management of associated processes needed to achieve the above-mentioned tasks and objectives.

Competencies

Corporate Competences:

Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.

Functional Competencies:

Strong analytical and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
Demonstrated understanding of local development and community development concepts
Familiarity and experience of UNDP is an asset;
Familiarity with global development issues;
Ability to function in a team environment;
Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
Strong initiative and is comfortable to pro-actively reach out to new and existing external partners;
Performance-oriented and focused on results;
Persistence and willingness to follow through;
Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility;
Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or business or in economics, or in a field of economics or development with a communications diploma.

Experience:

At least ten years' experience in either public or private communications, public relations, journalism or partnership development;
Experience, particularly within the UN system, in successful event coordination and project management is essential;
Knowledge or experience in private sector partnerships is essential;
Knowledge or experience in the fashion industry is an asset;
Experience working with institutions in international development;
Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendations in a clear and persuasive manner that is tailored to a range of audiences;
Experience working in international environments or in international networks;
Research and writing experience.

Language:

Excellent spoken and written English is essential;
Proficiency in other UN languages is desirable.

Application Requirements

All interested applicants should submit the following documents. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification. Documents to be included when submitting the Proposals (Only 1 file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one/1 file):

Updated P11 or Resume/CV;
Statement of Interest (cover letter) with a brief narrative addressing the competencies mentioned above;
Financial Proposal for the assignment stating your “all-inclusive (*)” daily fee to be included in the Statement of interest (cover letter) above;
Candidates short-listed for this position will be requested to submit a “Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability” form.

“All-inclusive” implies that all costs (excluding mission travel) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are included in a separate line. Do break down any travel cost already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.

Evaluation: Cumulative analysis
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

When using this weighted scoring method, 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.

Technical Criteria weight: 60%

Financial Criteria weight: 40%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (14 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 100% - Max. Point 20):

Experience in either public or private communications, public relations, journalism or partnership development: 25% Weight/Max. Point 5;
Experience in high-level event coordination and project management: 30% Weight/Max. Point 5;
Demonstrated knowledge or experience in UN partnerships with the private sector: 30% Weight/Max. Point 5;
Understanding, familiarity and experience working with the fashion industry: 15% Weight/Max. Point 5;

For the General Conditions of Individual Contracts please visit the following link:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

Others

In the event of any official mission/business/travel envisaged for this assignment, the related travel costs will be negotiated and approved before it takes place.