UNDP Jobs - 59271- Communications specialist, Resident Coordinator’s

Communications specialist, Resident Coordinator’s Office -(Open to South Sudanese Nationals Only

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

07-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

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 Resident Coordinator’s Office supports the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in South Sudan led by the Resident Coordinator, who is also the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and the Humanitarian Coordinator as well as the Resident Representative of UNDP. The UNCT includes 15 UN agencies that are represented in South Sudan as well as additional non-resident agencies and other members, and it works closely with the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, as well as with the Humanitarian Country Team that includes humanitarian organizations within and outside the UN family.

The UNCT has recently agreed to develop a new Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF) that will serve as a short-term strategy for UN support to development efforts in South Sudan as the country aims to resolve its internal conflict. The ICF will help to revive the development agenda in South Sudan and adjust development efforts to the current needs and opportunities, and create stronger linkages with the humanitarian support. Due to the urgent crisis, life-saving humanitarian support remains an overwhelming priority for the UN and for the international community in South Sudan in the short term.

Within this framework, joint efforts to strengthen common communication will be one of the UNCT’s priority areas. There is an interest in strengthening outreach of the UNCT and its members to press and media, and in particular to the South Sudanese population and development stakeholders via local media, including radio, newspapers, TV and internet.

A UN Communication Group (UNCG) comprised of communication officers from UN agencies in South Sudan is formally institutionalized as part of the UNCT, and the UNCG is currently launching a new workplan in order to focus and reinvigorate common communications work among UN agencies.

In order to support these efforts, the UNCT and the RCO will require the support of a national consultant who will work under the supervision of the Head of the RCO, and support the UNCT and the UNCG, and work in close collaboration with the UNCG chairs to launch and implement its new workplan and other common communication initiatives.

Objectives:

Strengthen the UNCT joint communication efforts and outreach to the media – especially within South Sudan – to ensure that information on the results and impact of assistance from UN agencies in South Sudan is made widely available;
Build and strengthen relations to national and international media represented in South Sudan and facilitate their access to relevant and timely information about the activities and results of the UNCT;
Support the UNCG and its Chair/s in launching and coordinating the implementation of its work plan;
Equip the UNCT and its members with effective external communications products and advocacy tools, including by revising and update the UNCT website.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strengthen UNCT communication:

Organize and support a series of regular press conferences, interviews and other media appearances with UNCT members and the DSRSG/RC/HC;
Draft and edit speeches and talking points for use with press;
Support ad-hoc events and publications by the UNCT, including high-level delegation visits, and joint UN resource mobilizations for programmatic interventions;
Establish a system of focal points and procedures to ensure that inquiries for information about the UNCT are responded to quickly and effectively;
Revise and update the UNCT website and ensure that key information is harmonized across different information platforms and institute a system for regular updating and maintenance;
Produce and disseminate the monthly UN in South Sudan News Bulletin.

Ensure implementation of UNCG work plan:

Coordinate and follow-up on implementation of the joint UNCG work plan and other UNCT initiatives related to communications, including training workshops, journalist field visits, joint media advisories and media releases, press conferences and other media outreach activities;
Support the UNCG chair/s in reinvigorating the UNCG as an effective forum for coordination and joint initiatives by planning and scheduling meetings, develop agendas and circulate documentation and updates;
Ensure strengthened documentation of UNCG meetings and activities, including by instituting a system of drafting minutes of meetings and periodic progress reviews and reporting;
Coordinates and supports work and new initiatives of UNCG sub-groups or ad-hoc bodies;
Strengthen UNCG coordination and cooperation with partners in the UN system, including UNMISS and OCHA, in the implementation of communication and media outreach activities;
Develops and implements a strategy for liaising with government counterparts, CSOs and media partners;
Organize training and advice to UNCT staff on communications.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to the UN practice areas;
Develops deep knowledge in practice areas;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to elaborate and implement communications and publications strategies;
Demonstrated effectiveness in developing advocacy campaigns related to international cooperation and development, including well-written information about UNCT, its objectives and activities;
Ability to effectively manage media engagements;
Demonstrates sound political judgment;
Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism in English and preferably in Arabic;
Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
Demonstrates strong IT skills including website management.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Strong team player.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Communications or related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years work experience with Bachelor's degree (or 4 years with Master's degree) in communications and media relations;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages including layout and design software for publications;
Experience in hands-on website management and social media;
Experience in programme coordination, meeting facilitation and documentation would be an advantage;
Working knowledge of UN and Government systems and administration is desired.

Language Requirements:

Demonstrable excellent verbal and written communications skills;
Excellent working knowledge of English;
Arabic will be a strong advantage.

How to apply:

Download, Financial Proposal Form and P11, from the following link
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=23478

Technical proposal:

Please submit the following documents:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidates and the contacts of at least three (3) professional references.
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment. Use a table to indicate areas you propose to contribute and evidence of expertize.

Attach any of your written works you consider portrays best your analytical and writing skills.

Any other document deemed relevant to this consultancy service.

Financial Proposal
A Financial Proposal must be submitted that indicates the number of days and the rate per day.

Total (lump sum):

Note:

The information in the breakdown of the offered lump sum amount provided by the Offeror will be used as the basis for determining best value for money, and as reference for any amendments of the contract;
The agreed contract amount will remain fixed regardless of any factors causing an increase in the cost of any of the components in the breakdown that are not directly attributable to UNDP;
The Contractor is responsible for arranging and meeting the cost of their vaccinations and medical/life insurance;
If the Contractor is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Contractor must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
Contractor whose assignment require travel and who are over 62 years of age are required, at their own expense, to undergo a full medical examination, including x-rays after they are selected.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

The offer will be evaluated by using the Best value for money approach (combined scoring method). Technical proposal will be evaluated on 70%. Whereas budget proposed will be evaluated on 30%.

Below is the marks breakdown for technical proposal:
Bachelor's degree in the relevant expert area --- 7 marks;
Minimum of 7 years of accumulated experience in the relevant expert area --- 14 marks;
Development and Operational Effectiveness --- 21 marks;
Excellent analytical and writing skills in an engaging and succinct manner --- 28 marks.

Total - 70 marks

The financial proposal will be evaluated on whether it is:
Realistic budget and in line with UNDP consultancy rates.