UNDP Jobs - 61860- International Consultant

International Consultant - Development of National IAS Communication Strategy and Preparation of Communication Action Plan of the IAS Project and Provide Guidance on Implementation

Location :

Home Based with One in-country Mission to Sri Lanka

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Jan-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 working days (15th December 2015 – 30th March 2016), with one in-country mission for 20 days, exc

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 working 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 project ‘Strengthening Capacity to Control the Introduction and Spread of Alien Invasive Species in Sri Lanka’ (IAS project) of which the focal point is Biodiversity Secretariat (BDS) of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment ,designed based on the precautionary principle by addressing the threats and root causes driving IAS in the country. It is guided by the recognition in Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COP4) (and other COPs thereafter) that recognized, as an urgent issue, the need to address the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) and established IAS as a cross-cutting issue. These interventions are becoming more urgent considering the potential for entry of IAS through novel paths opened up due to increased international trade, tourism, and transport.

Lack of awareness, weak and overlapping legislative and institutional mandates, the lack of a coherent or integrated strategic planning and management framework combined with limited information base and awareness of the threat posed by invasive alien species (IAS) are contributing to the loss of biodiversity as well as undermining associated economic processes and human well-being in Sri Lanka.

The Project aimed to establish the policy and regulatory framework to control IAS in Sri Lanka. Since the introduction, spread and management of IAS needs multi sectoral approach, project aims to establish a national coordination mechanism to mainstream Invasive species management into which forest, wild life, agriculture, fisheries, irrigation and other relevant sectors are and included into the mandate of other relevant agencies. This national coordination mechanism is linked to the provincial and local levels. One of the key outcomes of the project is to set up the knowledge base to identify the species, threats, and distribution and management measures of invasive alien species. A final outcome of the project is to mobilize key stakeholder agencies through trainings, education and strategic communications. There are two main components under this final outcome. First is to develop National Communication Strategy to Combat IAS in Sri Lanka (NCS CIAS SL) and second is to prepare and implement communication plan.

One of the recommendations of the Mid Term Review of the project is to obtain the technical assistance from IUCNCommission of Education and Communication (CEC) to develop National Communication Strategy to combat IAS in Sri Lanka and develop communication plan and guide its implementation.

Scope and Objectives

Aim of this consultancy is to review relevant project reports, collect information from project staff and stakeholders to develop National Communication Strategy to control and manage Invasive Alien Species in Sri Lanka (NCS CIAS SL) and prepare Communication action plan of the IAS Project. Both above products must be developed following the strategic approach promoted by the CEPA (Communication, Education and Public Awareness) toolkit of IUCN CEC. The Communication plan of the IAS project shall support achieving the project outcomes and outputs. The consultant should be able to build the capacity of the project team and relevant officials to implement the communication plan.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Control

The consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of National Project Director/ Project Management Specialist. Additional guidance will be provided by technical coordinator of the project in consultation with UNDP programme officer.

Time Frame

The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is 30 working days from 15th December 2015 to 30th March 2016. The consultant who undertakes this consultancy shall engage in one in-country mission of 20 days (excluding international travel time) to collect required information, meet stakeholders, conduct workshops, etc. Also, the in-country mission of the consultancy should be undertaken at the beginning of the consultancy period preferably from early January 2016.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop National IAS related Communication Strategy and prepare Communication Action Plan for the IAS sector (including both internal and external communication).

Accordingly the Project Communication Strategy and Plan should:

Follow the strategic approach promoted by the CBD /IUCN CEC CEPA training toolkit;
Clearly specify the target groups to be reached and for what purpose. Develop customized communication messages and communication channels for each group, actions to be taken, and specific communication products to be used;
Accurately reflect the work carried out by the IAS project and the materials prepared under it;
Identify opportunities for collating and sharing knowledge on IAS, and disseminating information about the IAS project’s major outputs and outcomes within the National Communication Strategy (NCS CIAS SL);
Be presented to and discussed with the project team prior to finalization.
Facilitate implementation of IAS Communication Action Plan by guiding the Training and Capacity Building Expert, project team and counterpart officers of the BDS;
In collaboration with the Training and Capacity Building Expert, Guide the project team to organize and conduct a national workshop for key stakeholders to finalize the NCS CIAS SL and Submit the finalized Strategy to the Project Director within two (2) weeks of the national workshop;
Provide on-line support and guidance to local communication expert to implement the Project Communication Strategy and Action Plan and to revise it where necessary to accommodate any periodic changes/additions in the annual work plan of the IAS project;
Review and provide comments to the Project Director on appropriateness and adequacy of communication materials developed through the IAS project;
Report directly to the Project Director and Project Management Specialist regarding work carried out, consult the Project’s Technical Coordinator on technical aspects of the project where necessary, and work in collaboration with the Training and Capacity Building Expert.

Expected Outputs:

The National Communication Strategy to Combat IAS in Sri Lanka ( NCS CIAS SL);
The Communication Action Plan;
Build the capacity of core group of members of the BDS staff/ key stakeholder institutions to implement the IAS communication strategy and action plan;
Online guidance and support to local communication expert to implement the communication plan;
Report on appropriateness and adequacy of the communication materials available in the project;
Report on successful completion of all deliverables of the consultancy including learnings and recommendations.

Competencies

Excellent strategic communication planning and management skills relevant to environment, biodiversity, wild life, forestry ctors;
Strong knowledge management skills and experience in development of the knowledge products for environmental communication/ education;
Very good training facilitation and capacity building skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in social science, environment or any other related field.

Experience:

More than 10 years of international experience on communications related to environment, biodiversity, ecosystems or any other closely related fields;
Extensive international experience in knowledge/information management related to environment/biodiversity management or Invasive Alien Species Management;
Experience in applying CEPA toolkit of IUCN Commission on Communication and Education for communication/ education programmes;
Experience relevant to Invasive Alien Species Management.

Language:

Fluency in reading, writing and speaking in English.

Financial Proposal:

Please provide a breakdown of the all-inclusive cost as per schedule below;
All-inclusive lump sum fee (Professional fees) - USD;
All – inclusive lump sum fee (other costs as indicated below) - USD.

Total lump sum fee (a+ b): USD

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification by the UNDP/ Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment. The applicant must factor in all possible costs “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” financial proposal including the professional fee, honorarium, Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) applicable for the 3 star class of hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka which under ‘elsewhere’ rate applies to USD 114/day, airfare (to and from the home country of the consultant in economy class via the most economical/direct route), any additional human resource cost (as required) such as translators, transport cost, communication costs such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the contracting institution. While in Sri Lanka, any travel outside of the duty station will be with prior approval of the Assistant Country Director.

The costs for project related travelling within Sri Lanka (excluding daily travel within Colombo), organizing and logistics of conducting training events, workshops and the seminar, making photocopies of the course material to be distributed among participants, etc. are borne by the implementing agency project. Therefore, those costs should not be included in the above budget.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above.

Payment Services:

Instalment 1 – 20% of the contract value upon below deliverables by 10 February 2016;
Completion of communication training programme for key stakeholders;
Instalment 2 – 20% of the contract value upon below deliverables by 15 February 2016;
Draft IAS Communication Strategy and action plan;
Instalment 3 – 20% of the contract value upon below deliverables by 15 March 2016;
Final Communication Strategy and Action Plan;
Instalment 4 – 20% of the contract value upon below deliverables by 15 April 2016;
Report on guidance provided for local communication expert;
Instalment 5 – 20% of the contract value upon below deliverables by 15 April 2016;
Final report on successful completion of all deliverables of the consultancy.

How to Apply

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology and work plan on how you will approach and conduct the work;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and name/contact details of 2 professional referees who can validate and recommend your professionalism, competencies and suitability to undertake this assignment;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of a desk review of the CV, the draft work plan and the offer that provides the best value for money. (Please refer and adopt the financial proposal format provided below in your financial offer); The Evaluation Panel may decide to call for an interview (face to face or telephone) if required;
Please, duly fill the below financial proposal and attach to the last page of the CV along with all other required documentation above.

Note:

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows uploading maximum one document.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.