Background

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV works with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well-supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is active in around 130 countries every year. With field presences in over 60 countries, UNV is represented worldwide. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS) builds and nurtures corporate donor relations, strategically leads the donor resource mobilization platform and conducts coherent communications efforts to highlight the value of volunteerism for peace and development and the contributions of UNV and UN Volunteers.

The Communications team focuses on clear and effective content and tools to increase the visibility and impact of UNV. It raises awareness on the work of UN Volunteers and of volunteerism and its contribution to development among UNV stakeholders, encourages support of volunteerism for development.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Main objectives, responsibilities and description of the proposed work

UNV reaches out to diverse audiences through different challenges and means – web, social media, in-person and virtual representation and media outreach. External audiences comprise our UN and funding partners, civil society organizations (including volunteer-involving organizations), media (through traditional and online channels), and the general global public.

Deliverables and timeline

Under the direction of the Communications Specialist/Global Team Lead, External Relations and Communications Section, the Senior Consultant will be responsible to deliver the below outputs:

• Source and research up to 35 content pieces for the website, representation (speeches), or social media/ traditional media. This may include interviewing stakeholders, obtaining input through use of standard questionnaires and sourcing partner testimonials – along with liaising with colleagues at HQ, the regional offices and in the field.
• Draft up to 5 messaging documents on thematic areas that are of relevance (500-650 words). This will require research of current context of the topic, along with the positioning of other organizations in the area. Meetings and correspondence with different colleagues on the subject at hand will also be needed
• Edit up to 40 content pieces for social media, video, website, media or press communications, speeches and OpEd/blogs (500-650 words each) prepared by regional communications associates, including checking spelling, acronyms and abbreviations, refining the style and structure and providing feedback to feed into the editorial and content guidelines. This may require additional research and consultation with UNV personnel.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will be performing the tasks under direct supervision and guidance of the Communications Specialist, Team lead for Global Communications Team

To ensure progress and achievement of deliverables, weekly check-in meetings will be organised with Communication Team on the dedicated subject. The consultant is expected to attend these meetings as per Bonn working hours 09.00 - 18.00.

Competencies

• Demonstrated research and writing skills on products related to humanitarian and development issues; 
• Creative open-minded team player with strong initiative and excellent interpersonal skills;
• Culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work within tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism to advance sustainable development;
• Flexibility and client-oriented approach.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Media or other relevant area; or a degree in another related area in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience in the area of communications and public relations.

Experience:

• Writing and/or editing experience for online and/or print publications, in the international context. Having worked for a UN organization, or specifically for UNV, is an advantage;
• Research abilities and strong interest in and knowledge of global events, with proof of research skills shown through products developed;
• Creative open-minded team player with strong initiative and self-motivated;
• Journalistic level of English.

Language requirements:

• Excellent oral and written communications and research skills in English.

Criteria for Selection of the best Offer:
 

The selection of the best offer will be based on the combined scoring method, where the qualifications and experience will be weighted 70 per cent, and then combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30 per cent.

Key selection criteria are:

• Experience writing and publishing reports, and other complicated communications materials for international organizations (60%)

• Experience writing/editing media release and other content that that conveys clear and powerful messages (40%)

 Recommended Presentation of Offer

Applicants have to provide a technical and financial proposal. 

The technical proposal shall consist of:

• Motivation Letter describing their interest in the assignment and why they are the most suitable for the work;

• Personal CV or 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;

The financial proposal shall consist of 

• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form  https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default); The financial proposal shall consist of an all-inclusive lump sum for the whole duration of the contract period, which shall include the consultancy fee. The financial proposal shall also contain a breakdown of these costs for each deliverable. The lump sum/contract price is fixed regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components.

  If an Offeror 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 UNV under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION

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

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Merge your Cover Letter, CV, Technical Proposal and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability (including the financial proposal) into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Queries should be sent to : procurement@unv.org,   clearly marking:77640_Senior Consultant for Online Communications

Applications sent by email will not be considered.