UNDP Jobs - 60648- Media - Public Relations Advisor

Media - Public Relations Advisor

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

7 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

7 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

Following a request for electoral assistance from the United Nations (UN) by the Electoral Commission (EC) through the Government of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a UN electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) was deployed to Uganda from 13 through to 24 April 2015. Subsequently in June 2015, the NAM report recommended UN support to the electoral process and that the support should be delivered through UNDP in partnership with other relevant UN agencies, particularly UN WOMEN, OHCHR and UNESCO and covers the period until December 2017. Key among the recommendations in the NAM report is promoting confidence building among electoral stakeholders, with focus on support to initiatives aimed at creating conditions for inclusive political dialogue, trust in the electoral authorities, and nurturing peaceful acceptance of elections and overall, continues to build on the work of the “Peace Architecture for Conflict Transformation project”.

This project focuses on enhancing constitutional democracy with focus on I) strengthening institutions of democracy to improve the electoral cycle and electoral processes; ii) strengthening social engagement in democratic processes with focus on enhancing the role, the media in enabling access to information and nurturing citizen engagement iii) Promoting women’s participation in political processes; iv) Strengthening mechanisms and coordinated capacities for conflict prevention in the various phases of the electoral cycle and v) Enhancing accountability for human rights.

It is against this background that the Electoral Commission with financial assistance from the UN seeks to recruit the services of a Media/Public Relations Advisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work, duties and responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Secretary Electoral Commission and guidance of the Manager and day to day close collaboration with the EC Media/Public Relations department, UNDP Governance Team and UNDP Communication unit, the incumbent will deliver on the following duties and responsibilities.

Support the development and roll out of a communication strategy for the Electoral Commission in close consultation with the Head of Public Relations/ EC Spokesperson;
Assist the EC Spokesperson / Public Relations Officer, to develop, plan and implement a strategic communication and public information programme to keep the public well informed of Uganda electoral process;
Provide advice on drafting press releases and contributes to reports and statements;
Ensure that Public Information products are of high-quality that meet UN standards;
Provide media reports regarding public attitudes towards electoral process to the Head of Public Relations;
Provide communications, public relations and outreach support to the Commission through Public Relations;
Provide advice on public information questions;
Assist the Public Relations Unit in planning and organizing monthly press briefings on electoral process;
Provide assistance with the development of social media tools to reach a wide audience with a special emphasis on youth, women and persons with disabilities;
Develop content management strategy, editorial policy and guidelines;
Provide advice on the preparation of a diverse range of information products regarding the Electoral process;
Provide advice and expertise to the Electoral Commission personnel through the Head, Public Relations on internal communication approaches relating to electoral processes in Uganda;
Draft and edit complex and politically sensitive material for EC and UN/DP leadership;
Provides input to reports, evaluations, talking points related to the electoral process;
Undertake regular analysis to continually assess information requirements of the various stakeholders;
Monitor and analyze unfolding events, public opinion and press, identify issues and trends and provide advice to management on appropriate action/response;
Support organization of outreach activities and production of specified types of information communications products (including print, broadcast, etc.) to sensitize the public on various electoral processes;
Provide advice on selecting the information to transmit to key constituencies;
Provide assistance on coordination of press conferences and press seminars, background briefings and provide advice on interviews with senior EC officials;
Perform any other duties as and when assigned by the relevant authority.

Key deliverables shall include:

Development and operationalization of an EC Communication Strategy;
Design of strategic communication and public information programme;
Guidance on Press Releases and Statements;
Development of a media training curriculum and other media tools;
Development of content management strategy, editorial policy and guidelines;
Design and operationalization of Media Electoral Messages Monitoring and Assessment;
Training media entities on access to information to amplify citizens’ voices;
Production of media reports on attitudes of the public towards electoral process;
Contribute to the development of outreach support through public relations;
Regular analysis reports on the media needs during the electoral process;
Monitoring reports on unfolding events, public opinion and press ; and
Compilation and submission of technical, financial and activity reports.

Duty station:

The position will be based in Kampala with occasional travels upcountry.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Demonstrated knowledge in the field of communications and public information;
Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to effective public advocacy and communications strategy;
Proven ability to implement effective media campaigns and to develop products and activities targeting the media;
Ability to identify communications opportunities and challenges and to articulate these to clients;
Ability to advise on communication challenges, assess communication environments, develop communication strategies, and manage implementation of public information campaigns in the work region with various promotional and publicity techniques;
Understanding of the United Nations system, organization and inter-relationships, including knowledge of United Nations activities and mandates;
Knowledge of political attitudes and of the local and international media;
Ability to make decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization and to apply rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations;
Shows pride in work and in achievements;
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments;
Adjusts priorities as required;
Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum, Master’s degree in the field of communication, Public or International Relations from an accredited university.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years’ experience in media and public relations role with focus on electoral work;
Experience as a writer/editor, producing, publications and products – in the area of governance/politics/elections is an asset;
Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity to local customs and traditions;
Proficiency in any of the local languages an asset;
Ability to work harmoniously with people of different cultural backgrounds;
Knowledge of political issues in Uganda and the Africa region is and asset.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English.

Institutional arrangements:

The Media/Public Relations Advisor will report directly to the Secretary Electoral Commission and under the guidance of the Manager and with day to day close collaboration with the EC Media/ Public Relations Department, UNDP Governance and Communication Units.

Price Proposal and Schedule of payments:

Payment to the Media/Public Relations Advisor will be made in equal monthly instalments spread over the period of the contract.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Highest Combined Score (based on the 70% technical offer and 30% price weight distribution) where the minimum passing score of technical proposal is 70%.

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical Proposal (Maximum 70 points):

Relevance of education – 5 points;
Language skills – 5 points;
Relevance of experience (professional / work experience)– 30 points;
Interpretation of the assignment and methodology – 30 points.

Financial Proposal (Maximum 30 points): To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received by UNDP.

Application Procedure:

The consultant is required to submit an electronic application by directly uploading onto this. Applicants should upload / submit the following documents/information to be sent in one (1) single PDF document:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (see Annex II);
Updated Personal CV highlighting past experience in similar assignments and with 3 professional references with contact details (email and telephone);
Technical Proposal: suggested outline for technical proposal;
- The offer’s interpretation of the assignment;
- Approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment;
Financial proposal (in template provided in Annex II) stating an all-inclusive fixed lumpsum fee for this assignment in Ugandan Shillings or US Dollars, supported by a breakdown of costs. Such total lump sum price must include professional fee, and costs necessary to conduct the assignment such as communication costs, etc.

Annexes (Check on our Procurement Notices Website Reference # 25744; http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=25744

Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions;
Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.

For any clarifications, please send an email to justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org and diana.nabbanja@undp.org.