UNDP Jobs - 110985- Local Consultant for Communicating Digital Transfo

Local Consultant for Communicating Digital Transformation in Montenegro

Location :

Podgorica, MONTENEGRO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Feb-2023

Application Deadline :

05-Feb-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

15 February 2023 - 1 December 2023

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Digital transformation is high on the Government's agenda and Montenegro is aiming to rapidly deploy cost-effective, secure, and citizen-centric e-services and coordinate implementation of ICT policies. The recent COVID-19 crisis emphasized the importance of technology, but also the pivotal role of an effective, inclusive and accountable Government. The Ministry of Public Administration has urged to deploy effective digital technologies and electronic services to facilitate access to vital public services. UNDP Montenegro supports the Ministry of Public Administration in the process of development of the digital governance framework, but also in the process of developing complex software systems and provision on new electronic services, within the EU-funded project “E-services and digital infrastructure as COVID-19 response measure”.

The data from the most recent survey shows that half of all respondents believe to be mostly familiar with the electronic services, while the same was reported by 19% of all respondents in the 2019 survey. Full familiarity was reported by 8.1% respondents. Nevertheless, the share decreased compared to 2019, when it stood at 45%. Although the data look promising, there is still a considerable share of respondents who have heard about the e-services but still practically do not know anything about them (34.2%), as well as those who are not aware of the available e-services (7.8%). When it comes to the changes citizens expect to see for greater use of e-services, four in five respondents believe that increasing the number of services that can be accessed electronically would result in greater uptake of e-services. In addition, two out of three respondents think more media promotion regarding the possibility of using e-services is needed. It is worth noticing that traditional public administration services (delivering services over the counter) remain preferred over e-services among some citizens.

The data has mostly showed that additional efforts are needed in three main directions for the greater uptake of e-services: increasing the number of e-services, better and more extensive informing and media promotion, as well as the creation of the possibility to do a whole e-service digitally. One of the requirements that should go hand-in-hand with the development of digital services is the process of raising awareness of digitalization and many benefits it brings to society. Although there are many known benefits to digitalization, this relatively new phenomenon is nonetheless often accompanied by resistance to the unknown or the complexity behind digital services or reluctance due to insufficient knowledge and skills to handle new content. The potential of digital tools needs to be harnessed and promoted with human development in the centre of their creation. The creation of promotional and media content is a powerful tool for learning, exchanging knowledge and promoting benefits of digitalization.

In the coming period, the Ministry of Public Administration should strengthen the capacities responsible for communications and promotion of the digitization of the system in general, which include all activities developed through the project, as well as those implemented by the Ministry and related to the strengthening of digital skills. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure additional support on a daily level in communicating digitalisation efforts and translating the complex reform processes into a citizen-friendly benefits, in order to smoothly overcome the expected workload in the development of key digital infrastructure, upgrade of existing systems, upgrade digital skills and development of new e-services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

The objective of the assignment is to ensure effective and successful communication and promotion of digital transformation efforts through strengthening capacities of the Ministry of Public Administration responsible for the visibility and communication support.,

Job content:

Under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager and Director General of the Directorate for Infrastructure, information security, digitalisation and e-services and in cooperation with both PR and operational team of the Ministry, the consultant will perform the tasks as presented below. The local consultant is expected to closely liaise with the UNDP Communication Officer in developing communication products.

Develop Communication work plan on monthly level
Provide support in coordination, implementation and monitoring of the activities foreseen in the approved Communication work plan
Provide support in the promotion of project “E-services and digital infrastructure as COVID-19 response measure“ results and ensure transparent and excellent communication with direct project partners and other stakeholders
Provide professional advice and support to the Ministry of Public Administration on PR and communication related topics (elaboration of media plans, promotion materials, preparation of media releases, social networks post and similar)
Draft newsletters, brochures, publications, infographics, blogs, speeches
Provide background information and briefing material on request
Support organization of public events with the aim to communicate digital transformation efforts and benefits for citizens (press conferences, workshops, conferences and other events) and prepare media advisory, press releases and relevant written products
Cooperate with the PR Departments of other ministries in preparation of relevant joint activities related to digital agenda, such as jointly developed e-services or similar relevant activities
Ensure that the produced material is in line with the visibility rules and procedures of all partners and the donor.
The expected results: Under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, in consultation with the Director General and in coordination with the operational team of the Ministry, and close liaising with the UNDP Communication Officer, the consultant is expected to deliver the following results:
Communication work plan, with clearly specified timeframe and responsibilities
Provide support to the organisation of at least five public events
Develop and implement communication campaigns for the promotion of at least five e-services for citizens and businesses
Develop and support the execution of the plan aiming to promote the Digital Academy and all activities which will be implement (Support for the plan and implementation of promotional activities for the Digital Academy and providing support on social networks (Facebook profile for DA))
Provide support in preparation of a least three blog/op-eds
Provide and implement at least 30 posts for social networks
The Final report on undertaken activities.

Timing and reporting: The local consultant will be engaged under individual contract from February 15th, 2023, to December 1st, 2023. The consultant will work under direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager, in consultation with the Director General of the Directorate, with close liaison with the UNDP Communication Officer. The consultant will be responsible to prepare and submit regular reports to the UNDP Project Manager, which should contain sufficient details and information that would allow for the appraisal of the effectiveness to date of the assignment’s activities.

Time duration and travel: The local consultant will be engaged under individual contract from February 15th, 2023, to December 1st, 2023. The consultant’s working station will be within the premises of the Ministry of Public Administration in Podgorica, in close with Directorate for infrastructure, information security, digitalization and e-services during the working hours of the institution. No travel is envisaged.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Excellent communication skills, facility in working with teams and capacity to compose clear and readable narrative reports;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills;
Excellent organizational and time management skills;
Knowledge Management and Learning;
Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Excellent inter-personal and communication skills;
Ability to work independently and in a team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, or related field.

Experience:

Minimum five years of working experience in developing and delivering media/communication campaigns,
Previous experience in copywriting, storytelling and social networks is mandatory,
Experience of working in the areas related to the digitalization processes is an asset,
Technical knowledge of PR and communication tools.

Language:

Fluency in Montenegrin language,
Excellent command of spoken and written English language.

Other:

Excellent writing skills,
Computer literacy.

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by February 5, 2023 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".