UNDP Jobs - 57345- Communications Consultant

Communications Consultant

Location :

Bangkok, Thailand

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 August 2015 - 31 July 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

220 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 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process is aimed at supporting countries to enhance country-led planning and preparedness for climate change adaptation (CCA) in the medium and long-term planning. In Durban, at the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP) to UNFCCC, parties invited all United Nations organisations, as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies, to support the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and, where possible, to consider establishing support programmes for the National Adaptation Plan process within their mandate.

UNDPs National Adaptation Plans (NAP) portfolio of projects responds to this invitation and includes (1) NAP Global Support Programme for Least Developed Countries (LDCF) (2) NAP Global Support Programme for non-LDCs (SCCF funded) and (3) National Adaptation Planning in the Agriculture sector (BMUB funded). The NAP portfolio is implemented in partnership and collaboration with the GEF Secretariat, UNEP, UNFCCC Secretariat and several partners (including the WHO, UNITAR, FAO, IFAD, GIZ, UNHABITAT and WMO.

Supporting countries with their National Adaptation Plans process contributes to UNDPs strategic plan outcome 1 Growth is inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded. Building climate resilience through the NAP process into country driven medium term planning and budgeting will incorporate the approaches suggested in the UNDP strategic plan. A key approach advocated by UNDP is low emission and climate resilient development priorities built into the design, implementation, and financing of poverty eradication and sectoral strategies and policies at national and sub-national level. This includes prioritizing relevant actions and investments, help demonstrate scalable technologies and business models, build incentives for resilient livelihoods, and strengthen capacities to access, monitor, verify and report on climate finance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

Communication and advocacy is an important aspect of the UNDPs Climate Change Adaptation programme and the National Adaptation Plans (NAP) portfolio of projects that includes (1) NAP Global Support Programme for Least Developed Countries (LDCF funded) (2) NAP Global Support Programme for non-LDCs (SCCF funded) and (3) National Adaptation Planning in the Agriculture sector (BMUB funded).

This assignment is geared to broaden and deepen awareness of UNDP supported programmes on climate change adaptation (CCA) and National Adaptation Planning (NAP), engage with key audiences (donors, client countries, media as well as internal UNDP stakeholders), create brand recognition and lift the related UNDP supported programme’s media profile.

The communication work will raise awareness of target groups (to be defined in consultation with UNDP) in UNDP’s work on supporting countries to adapt to climate change through mainstreaming climate risk in planning and budgeting. The consultancy will aim to introduce intervention instruments, highlight individual projects to different audiences and mobilize partners, stakeholders, and the general public to advocate on results achieved through the portfolio.

Scope of Work

The Communications consultant will lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy. S/he will liaise with staff and key stakeholders and lead the coordination of communication efforts to ensure seamless collaboration and successful delivery of high quality communications operations and products. The Communications Specialist will liaise with UNDP staff at the regional and HQ level as well as UNDP Country office staff and project/government counterparts as appropriate.

Under the guidance of the NAP Lead technical Specialist and under the overall supervision of the UNDP-GEF Head of Climate Change Adaptation and in close collaboration with NAP GSP team and programme partners, the Communications consultant will:

Lead in the implementation of the communications SOP & work plan for the 2015-2016 period;
Produce knowledge products related to the NAPs process including drafting, editing and bringing in line with UNDP publications standards in coordination with technical experts in the National Adaptation Plans programme. The communications specialist is expected to draft material in coordination with technical experts, bring content developed by experts to reader friendly stage, and review and edit final products to bring up-to UNDP publication standards.
Raise awareness for the CCA program’s brand, including NAPs work and DST work;
Build on CCA’s new digital platform-CCA website, integrate old contents into new site, with the support of web developer, develop key content and team management methods to organize the website publishing guidelines;
Build on and advance the program’s digital presence through social media, especially through team members’ twitter accounts, existing platforms such as the UNDP regional and corporate twitter accounts and facebook pages;
With the support of a graphic designer, build on and revamp the program’s quarterly newsletter;
Undertake activities to promote the programme’s media coverage; liaison with both internal and external media. Build up content distributions channels through the UNDP, UN channels, external donor channels and international media outlets;
Draft media advisories and press releases;
Liaise with media for press releases and events, establish media connections and aim to get maximum media attention for press releases, special events, press interview either through broadcast or print media;
Produce and oversee production of media friendly communications products for UNDP-GEF financed adaptation projects, NAPs work and DST work;
Liaise with stakeholders and lead the coordination of communication efforts to ensure seamless collaboration and successful delivery of high quality communications operations and products;
Carry out consultations with key project actors, RTAs in their communications work;
Provide assistance in the drafting of contents for all planned communication efforts;
Provide technical support for the quality control of communication efforts and products;
Oversee interns for communications work.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Expected Deliverables (following UNDP guidelines on communications)

A communication work plan, which includes a set of key messages to be promoted among target audiences. It will define the means necessary for implementation, recommending media and communication tools. The plan will point out the content and campaigns recommended for implementation for the year;
Production of knowledge products related to the National Adaptation Plans process – 1 overall NAP publication, 4 NAP country papers and 6 case studies/best practice compilations across the NAPs programme projects;
Quarterly CCA Newsletter which will highlight the communications products being produced every three months; it will be closely monitored for opening rate, readership and other evaluation data for immediate improvement;
An active website, which can be closely monitored by data analysing software, regularly updated and evaluated.
An active social media network that can be measured by data analyzing software;
Overseeing and producing at least 6 video products to highlight the work of the program, and raise brand awareness;
Production of photo essays, blog entries, success stories to highlight lessons learnt from adaptation initiatives in countries.
One piece of animated video story that incorporates infographics and data visualization.
Operationalize Communications Standard Operating Procedures with plans and implementation for all project key phases;
Identification of partners platforms to highlight UNDP content, such as blogs, success stories and lessons learnt from adaptation initiatives in countries;
Boosted media coverage, which will be measured by newspaper clippings, TV current affairs programmings, etc.;
A communications tool kit to help bring everyone when carrying out communication actions. We’ll see better quality communications products with the introduction of the tool kit;
Reports/press releases/speeches/multimedia project pitches/campaign/events (online/offline) to raise brand awareness, at least twice a year;
A final report that will sum up the work done, the lessons learnt and recommendations to further the communication effort of the program.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will report to the NAP Lead Technical Specialist directly and under the overall guidance of the UNDP- Head of Climate Change Adaptation or his designate as directed. He/she will work closely with other staff in the UNDP APRC, UNDP Country Office staff and project/government counterparts as appropriate.

Review time required

The review and approval of payments will be made by the assigned supervisor(s) within 15 days.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Comprehensiveness knowledge of coomunications
Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Positive, constructive attitude to work;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

Experience:

At least 4 years of experience in generating communications, communication strategies, media operations and advocacy material via various media (i.e. print, video, websites);
Experiences in development communication issues and demonstrated experience in communicating climate change and climate change adaptation work tailored to different audiences is a distinct advantage;
Experience in UN related communications an asset;
Proficiency and experience with media software, applications and communication tools;
Computer proficiency; especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office);
Excellent organizational skills, interpersonal communication skill, self-motivated, proactive and reliable with good communication and ability to work in harmony with staff members of different national backgrounds.

Language:

Excellent in oral and written communication skills in English language;
Proficiency in other UN languages is an advantage.

Contract Duration:

3 August, 2015- 31 July 2016 ( Up to 220 days)

Duty Station:

Bangkok, Thailand. The incumbent may be required to travel

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

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

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 500 points):

Criteria 1: Education - Max 75 points;
Criteria 2: Experience in generating communications, communication strategies, media operations and advocacy material via various media (i.e. print, video, websites) - Max 150 points;
Criteria 3: Experiences in development communication issues and demonstrated experience in communicating climate change and climate change adaptation work tailored to different audiences- Max 125 points;
Criteria 4: Proficiency and experience with media software, applications and communication tools and also computer proficiency; especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office) - Max 100 points;
Criteria 5: Excellent in oral and written communication skills in English language (50 points) - Max 50 points.

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

Shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview which will be used to confirm and/or adjust the technical scores awarded based on documentation submitted.

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:

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex 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.
Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex 2.

Annexes

Annex 1 - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 2 – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template (to download : http://webapp3-docs.undp.org/procurement_notices/notice_doc_23038_104021813.docx)

Annex 3 - P11 for IC (to download : http://webapp3-docs.undp.org/procurement_notices/notice_doc_23038_60021849.doc)

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