Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau has the responsibility for support to prevention, crisis response, resilience and recovery work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Part of the Crisis Bureau, the Rule of Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights (ROLJSHR) team is responsible for practice and policy development in the areas of rule of law, justice, security, and human rights as they relate to crisis prevention, response and recovery in conflict and disaster settings through the implementation of the Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development (the Global Programme).

UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) is a comprehensive umbrella programme that uniquely combines rule of law, justice, security and human rights within one framework in recognition that all four are necessary for enabling peaceful, just and inclusive societies. The Global Programme provides rule of law support to over 40 countries and territories affected by crisis, conflict and fragility. For each unique context, The Global Programme tailors its support to address root causes of inequality, injustice and insecurity, and to accelerate progress across 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and most specifically on SDG 16 recognizing it is an enabler and accelerator across the SDGs. The programme has been a driving force in improving the delivery of UNDP’s support to the rule of law since 2008.

In line with UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and the project document for the new Global Programme (2022-2025), UNDP is committed to step up its efforts to promote global learning, facilitate knowledge-exchange and enhance thought-leadership across the development system and considers commitment to constant learning to be central to #NextGenUNDP. UNDP’s commitment to values, to human rights and to the inter-governmentally agreed governance principles of accountability, inclusion and effectiveness will continue to underpin its work. The revitalized business model calls for intensifying efforts to invest in knowledge, to better co-create and share knowledge to strengthen programming and thought leadership.

In this context, Global Podcast Series will contribute to champion global learning, showcase thought-leadership, driving further investment and attention to innovative solutions to address emerging trends and complex challenges in rule of law, security and human rights while at the same time strengthening the Global Programme’s external engagement and advocacy efforts.

The Global Podcast Series will build upon key lessons and actionable ideas emerging from UNDP’s core areas of expertise in the field of ROLSHR, including on rule of law promotion, constitutions, anti-discrimination, people-centered justice and security, transitional justice, enhancing civic space and support to human rights defenders as well as on emerging areas of work such as Business and Human Rights, Environmental Justice, Rights-Based Digitalization / E-justice.

The Global Podcast Series will communicate game-changing results and approaches, reflect on lessons-learnt, uplift good-practices from global practice and unpack innovative solutions to address conceptual and practical challenges facing rule of law, security and human rights practice in a creative fashion. Through convening diverse agents of change including partners and experts amongst national counterparts, civil society, think-tanks and other UN agencies, the series will yield to a public repository of dialogues and interviews that can stand the test of time and showcase human interest stories and solutions that convey development impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is envisioned:

Under the supervision of and in close coordination with UNDP Governance Community of Practice Facilitator, the multi-media specialist responsible for creating the Global Podcast Series will lead the technical production process of a minimum of 8 podcast episodes. Responsibilities will include:

• Review relevant programme and policy documents (2022-2025) and repository of multi-media content curated by the Global Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team

• Develop a work-plan, timeline and a step-by-step guide (outlining editorial/production principles and requirements for engagement) for the Global Podcast Series (addressed to non-technical audiences)

• Help shape and devise a consistent form and style for the series

• Attend concept development meetings with thematic specialists from the Global ROLSHR Team who will support the curation of content and help extrapolate themes and stories

• Support with script writing/editing (as required)

• Ensure timely and effective communication with relevant stakeholders including podcast participants, interviewees and UNDP partners

• Attend meetings and interviews & capture high quality audio recordings

• Organize and log audio recordings (including additional content recorded/provided by guests)

• Select and Source music

• Sound editing of audio clips

• Produce 6-9 podcasts, approximately 30-40 min each

• Advise on podcast hosting solutions and distribution

• Develop and implement outreach and growth strategy – in coordination with ROLSHR Communications, Reporting and Learning Analyst and GPN/Crisis Bureau Communications Specialists

• Draft reflection report outlining key lessons from the pilot phase of the initiative, including an overview of measurement and engagement data and a list of recommendations for growth and content strategy.

Expected Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

• Step-by-step guide on podcast production for non-technical audiences (max 2 pages)

• 8 podcast episodes (approximately 30 min each) including contribution to concept meetings, review and editing of guiding questions for the interviews, audio-recording, sound-editing, digital hosting for each episode.

• Communications and outreach plan for the pilot phase of the podcast series (2-3 pages)

• A reflection report outlining key lessons from the pilot phase and list of recommendations for growth

Competencies

Functional

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Excellent sound editing and audio production skills;

• Excellent writing and editing skills;

• Ability to work under minimum supervision and tight deadlines.

Professional Skills

• Demonstrates strong ability to manage, facilitate, and engage in discussions with multiple stakeholders in a formal setting, seeking to encourage participation in an open and collegial environment;

• Proactive in problem-solving;

• Demonstrates evidence of being well organized, attentive to detail, flexible and adaptive attitude and collaborative spirit that inspires others (non-technical content curators) realize their creative ideas.

Interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong communication skills and proven ability to collaborate between different actors

• Demonstrates openness to change and influence others

• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling the UN / UNDP's values and ethical standards;

• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN / UNDP; and

Displays sensitivity and adaptability when working with a diverse array of cultures, genders, religions, races, nationalities and ages.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in journalism, communications, political science, development studies or other relevant social science is required. (2 additional years of experience could substitute for a Master’s degree.)

Experience:

• Significant experience (5-7 years minimum) in podcast production and multi-media design for diverse audiences is required;

• Technical knowledge and experience in producing podcasts for international development impact, preferably with a focus on rule of law, security and/or human rights is required;

• Excellent knowledge and experience of audio recording equipment/hardware, editing programmes, digital & broadcast technologies, hosting and distribution platforms is required;

• Significant experience devising and producing podcasts from start to finish, experience capturing high quality recordings in a variety of non-studio formats/settings is required;

• Demonstrates strategic thinking and good understanding of global developments and emerging trends in rule of law, security and/or human rights issues is preferred;

• Sound understanding of the UN system and of UNDP’s mandate and role in crisis contexts is required;

• Excellent interviewing and facilitation skills are required.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; and

• Fluency of another UN language (especially Arabic, French and/or Spanish) would be an asset.

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references; and a URL link to an e-portfolio containing relevant examples

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.

• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.

• This consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.

• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

• If the 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 UNDP under a 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.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weigh 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

• Criteria 1. Significant experience (5-7 years minimum) in multi-media design and podcast production (including experience in recording high-quality audio, sound editing) and knowledge of hosting and distribution platforms;. Maximum Points: 40;

• Criteria 2: Minimum experience of 3-5 years of demonstrated ability to facilitate interviews, engage diverse range of stakeholders in formal and non-formal settings, and in different contexts; Maximum Points: 15.

• Criteria 3: Significant experience of at least 4-6 years minimum in developing outreach and communications plans as well as knowledge of marketing, branding, visual communication tools.; Maximum Points: 10;

• Criteria 4: Technical knowledge and experience in rule of law, security and/or human rights; Maximum Points: 5

   

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (70 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (100 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangement

1. The consultant is expected to report to the Head of the Rule of Law, Security, and Human Rights Team and work closely with the Governance Community of Practice Facilitator as well as with the Communication, Reporting and Learning Analyst (ROLSHR Team), and Global Policy Network / Crisis Bureau Communications Specialists.

2. The consultant is expected to work off site and is expected to utilize their own recording/ editing programmes and equipment.

Contract duration:

The period of the assignment will cover a maximum of 40 working days between 16 May 2022 – 30 November 2022.

Payment modality

• Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org 

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.