Antecedentes

UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub is UNDP’s advisory hub for the region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP’s development activities in the region. 
The Hub’s Communications team has the mandate of exploring, among others, the use of communications and social media as a way to increase the effectiveness of programming, opening up the organization to external views and input and engaging experts in the regional and global dialogue on key development challenges. 

The Hub is tasked with promoting the Sustainable Development Goals - otherwise known as the Global Goals, seventeen anti-poverty targets that the world committed to achieving by 2030. The goals are closely linked to UNDP’s Strategic Plan focus areas, including sustainable development, democratic governance and peacebuilding, and climate and disaster resilience.

The Hub is also working alongside the European Commission to produce and expand the Kapuscinski development lectures, with 10-12 planned lectures in the coming year. For supporting the implementation of the project, UNDP is looking for a communications specialist whose responsibilities will include management of online promotion of the events and their content. 

In light of the objectives presented above, the communications consultant will provide technical expertise to ensure  the production, editing, uploading and successful dissemination of content for the UNDP regional website, blogs, and social media presence (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Visual.ly, Scribd, Slideshare, etc) for regional programmes and UNDP Country Office outreach. 

Location: Istanbul, Turkey with possible travel to Country Offices in the CIS region

Deberes y responsabilidades

The consultant will carry out the below on-going responsibilities and report to the certifying officers on a monthly basis:

• From a technical standpoint, assist with the realignment of the UNDP Regional website with UNDP’s new positioning, the SDGs, and assist with the production of multimedia content, including films;
• Provide expertise to boost UNDP Europe and CIS presence on social media channels, and use knowledge of marketing to track web and social media statistics and prepare monthly reports; 
• Develop the Kapuscinski Development Lectures website (http://kapuscinskilectures.eu); Prepare plans tailored to each lecture, in close consultations with communications team and Kapuscinski Project manager; Prepare basic graphic content for the UNDP and Kapuscinski website and social media platforms;
• Inform the creation and implementation of a communications strategy that helps to position UNDP and conduct advocacy around the Sustainable Development Goals and key areas of the UNDP Strategic Plan; Lead technical production of a periodic newsletter on the SDGs, and support key events and communication opportunities, such as major regional conferences, discussions and report launches;
• Provide technical capacity-building support as needed, with a view to implementing the newly-inaugurated corporate communication action plan in 2016; Support press trips and media outreach and assist Country Offices with training and mentoring to boost the implementation of the plan.

Outputs and deliverables

The consultant will carry out the below on-going responsibilities and report to the certifying officers on a monthly basis. Technical expertise will guarantee visibility around 12 specific events:

• February – Create online following and dialogue on Twitter and Facebook around Istanbul Development Dialogues;
• March – Ensure web and multimedia reinforce messages around the anniversary of the Istanbul regional hub and Commission on the Status of Women;
• April – Widely publicize Astana economic forum and Chernobyl 30 anniversary online;
• May – In the run up and during the World Humanitarian Summit, reach out to key humanitarian organizations and donors on social media with UNDP core messages;
• June – Support 20th Anniversary of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum;
• July – Collect and market 3 stories from the region around the SDGs;
• August – Support international youth day with visibility, web, social media;
• September – Broadcast and advertise Social Good Summit and relevant discussions from the General Assembly;
• October – Provide expertise for online campaign on the occasion of International Day for the eradication of poverty;
• November –Boost visibility of water/energy conference in Turkmenistan;
• December – Create conversation on occasion of Regional Launch of the HDR;
• January – Intensify online dialogue Istanbul Development Dialogue.

In addition:

• News and opinion pieces available on the regional website with relevant and timely information and Country Office websites are aligning with Strategic Plan;
• Daily content updates relating to UNDP’s core areas of expertise  marketed and shared through social media platforms and partners’ online channels; Social media platforms regularly updated and online audiences engaged for range of UNDP programmes;
• Kapuscinski lectures and online content available for promoting lectures on various online channels; Kapuscinski Development Lectures website maintained and edited with regularly updated content;
• Support provided for major conferences and key events and creation of advocacy content on the Sustainable Development Goals and other key areas of the strategic plan, conveying UNDP’s role and value added; Newsletters periodically showcase the work of the Communications team, as well as the Sustainable Development team, as needed;
• In-country trainings have taken place, wherever applicable and assistance has been provided for Community of Practice trainings.

Payments will be made on a monthly basis, based on the monthly delivery report and only upon confirmation of the certifying officer/UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism; 
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 

• Bachelors’ Degree required.

Experience: 

• At least three years of experience managing websites, with strong social media skills and multimedia background (ex. confidence with web-based applications, and basic knowledge of HTML, as well as video and photo editing and design software);
• At least three years of experience of web marketing and analytics;
• At least three years of progressive experience in developing, editing content as a journalist or content manager; 
• At least three years of experience with implementing, campaigning and advocacy, either as part of an international organization or within the private sector;
• At least three years of experience with creating and evaluating online strategies with clear and measurable objectives, web metrics and experience producing analytics reports. 

Language:

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

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 (P11 desk reviews, written sample evaluation and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Please attach to your application an existing written sample containing at least 5 links to articles or other content published over the last 2 years.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 40 points:

• Criteria A - At least three years of experience managing websites, with strong social media skills and multimedia background. Good IT skills, including confidence with web-based applications, and basic knowledge of HTML, as well as video and photo editing and design software- max points: 5;
• Criteria B - Good understanding of web marketing and analytics -  max points: 5;
• Criteria C - At least three years of progressive experience in developing, editing content as a journalist or content manager - max points: 5;
• Criteria D - Experience with implementing, campaigning and advocacy, either as part of an international organization or within the private sector - max points: 5;
• Criteria E - Experience with creating and evaluating online strategies with clear and measurable objectives, web metrics and experience producing analytics reports - max points: 5;
• Criteria F – (Written Sample Criteria) - Strong writing skills, in a journalistic style, and on a topic relevant to global development issues - max points: 5 (to be assessed from the provided written samples received from the candidate);
• Criteria G - (Interview Criteria) – Strong team work, problem -solving abilities and oral communication skills in English -  max points: 10 (to be assessed during the interview).

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 17.5 points

Only candidates, who will get at least 70% in each step of the process (desk review, written sample evaluation nd interviews) can be considered in the financial evaluation.

Application procedure

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. 
• Written sample in English - at least 5 links to articles or other content published over the last 2 years.
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum USD amount for tasks specified in this announcement (estimated work input of appx. 216 working days). The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum consisting of professional fee, travel to join duty station/repatriation travel, etc.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

*Please note that the financial proposal is shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  
Travel costs for missions (flight tickets, per-diem, etc.) will be paid separately by UNDP, as per UNDP rules and procedures, thus should not be included in the financial proposal. 

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.