Background

I. Organizational context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace, and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides solid and coherent leadership supporting Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. 

UN-Women focuses on integrated approaches to address the root causes of inequality from a perspective of the transformation of the systems that perpetuate gender inequalities and discrimination and with a peacebuilding approach:

• women's voice, leadership, and female autonomy
• strengthening of global normative frameworks, and gender-responsive laws, policies, and institutions that promote gender equality at the national and subnational levels
• Effective participation and protection of women in all areas of peacebuilding, security, and humanitarian action
• women's equitable access to services, goods, and resources
• financing for gender equality and economic empowerment
• positive social norms, including through engaging men and boys
• production, analysis, and use of gender statistics, sex-disaggregated data, and knowledge; and
• UN system coordination for gender equality and women's empowerment

The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 aims to achieve gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the full enjoyment of their human rights. The Strategic Plan is anchored in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, and other relevant intergovernmental outcomes, such as resolutions of the General Assembly and agreed conclusions of the Commission of the Status of Women. UN Women contributes to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDG 5 on gender equality at the center of the SDGs and in coordination with all the other Goals to ensure comprehensive progress.

II. Background

The Digital Communications Specialist effectively promotes the work of UN Women in the Region within the context of UN Women Global and Regional Communication Strategy. As part of the communications and advocacy team, the Digital Communications Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

III. Consultancy objective

This consultancy's main objective is to support and promote the communication strategy for the Latin American and Caribbean Region, according to the needs and demands that arise.

The result of the consultancy will achieve:

·      UN Women digital platforms and website in LAC continue to grow in terms of outreach and impact (based on analytics).

·      Data intelligence based on social networks management and results is part of permanent monitoring and decision-making with the Regional Directorate and supports communications and advocacy strategic positioning.

·      Digital communications outputs and strategies reflect UN Women mandate and results in LAC and Country Offices needs and opportunities.

·      Regional campaigns incorporate lessons learned and best practices and contribute to national, regional and global corporate efforts through permanent collaboration.

·      Communications and advocacy team works in a cohesive manner and contribute to the digital communications’ results and improvement.

IV. Scope

The successful performance of the incumbent will effectively contribute to the development of quality projects/programmes reports. In particular, the consultant is expected to carry out the following functions, activities and tasks:

1. Supports in the coordination of ACRO communications and advocacy consultants’ team and priorities.

• Supports in the oversight, design, planning, execution of editorial, social media content and campaigns, in collaborating closely with relevant colleagues and consultants in ACRO and in coordination with Country Offices (COs), countries where ACRO has representative responsibilities as Non-Resident Agency (NRA) and Headquarters (HQ).
• Provides guidance on the moderation, content creation and evaluation of social media networks and leads on the internal capacity building strategies managing UN Women or branded social networks.
• Undertakes digital distribution, promotion, monitoring, social media, and website analytics and provides strategic advice for permanent learning and direction based on data.
• Oversees the editorial and technical maintenance of UN Women Regional website.
• Undertakes and oversees the development, production and design of interactive, visual communications, and digital products for ACRO and support COs and NRAs.

1. 2. Supports in the coordination of UN Women LAC digital communication and advocacy strategy design and implementation:

• Ensures proper planning and implementation of programmatic communication activities, in close collaboration with programme teams, HQ and the communication's focal points in the country offices.
• Ensures that UN Women visibility, content, and branding guidelines are well implemented and in line with institutional policies.
• Organizes communications and advocacy initiatives such as website, newsletters, press releases, publications, videos, and other audiovisual materials for ACRO and promote coherence and synergies across the region.
• Organizes the work carried to back communications and digital strategy implementation with storytelling consultants, designers, editors, video producers’ consultants and any other input needed to carry on and advance the results under his/her responsibility according to this Term of Reference.

1. 3 Regional Office online platforms’ management:

• Supports in the coordination and management of UN Women social networks : Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and others, with regular posting and respond to messages and comments in a timely manner. Leads on the design, planning, execution, and evaluation of a digital communications and social media strategy for ACRO.
• Ensures UN Women’s proper visibility across different platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, pilot in TikTok, etc.).
• Manages UN Women Regional Office website in coordination with UN Women ICT Associate in HQ. In collaboration with relevant COs and programme teams in ACRO, continuously develops and updates content for the UN Women Regional Office website.
• Develops creative and engaging content for social media platforms promoting the work implemented on the ground and the results achieved.
• Research and implements new avenues for digital content distribution and promotion.

1. 4 Planning, monitoring and reporting on digital space and online platforms: 

• Regularly monitors and reports on website analytics to inform digital strategies online (e.g. user experience, information architecture, SEO, etc.).
• Monitors reactions and impressions to UN Women content on the different online platforms.
• Develops regular reports on UN Women’s performance on the digital space with recommendations for improvements.
• Provides guidance to field offices on interactive and digital communications standards, tools, and trends.
• Research latest digital trends in communications space and conceptualize creative opportunities for digital innovation.
• Assesses, arranges for, and implements project’s scope, timing, work effort and budget throughout a given project life cycle for long-term digital products (such as interactive web applications), in coordination with Web and IT teams.
• Manages relationships with external vendors and supervises the production schedules and work of designers (interactive, web, UX) and developers (web, mobile) in the development and production of interactive, visual communications and digital products.
• Contributes to innovation in design, data visualization, visual communications, and latest trends.

1. 5 Perform other duties as and when required and designated by the supervisor.

V. Deliverable products:

VI.  Contract management

Payment for services will be made upon delivery of each deliverable outlined in the table above, subject to satisfaction and approval by UN Women following the schedule set forth below. The final payment must be accompanied by the consultant's performance evaluation along with the certificate of payment (COP) to process the final payment.

The SSA contract includes all costs (all-inclusive); the Organization will not assume any costs or benefits in addition to the fee for services.  Therefore, it is the consultant's responsibility to have medical insurance for the period of the contract, and it is recommended that it includes medical coverage for COVID-19 related illnesses.  Additionally, medical coverage should be international in cases where the contract requires international assignments or missions. 

If selected for this vacancy, proof of medical coverage will be required within the first two months of the contract.

VII. Performance monitoring and evaluation

The consultancy will be managed by the Regional Office of UN Women of the Americas and the Caribbean. The Deputy Regional Director will supervise this consultancy. The consultant is not a United Nations staff member and will carry out the activities related to their consultancy in a virtual way, from their workspace under the work plan.

Three months after the beginning of the consultancy, an evaluation of the selected person's performance and the products produced will be carried out. In case of not being favorable, the contract will be terminated by mutual agreement within 30 days.

For the consultancy's optimal development, the supervisor will provide the consultant with the existing documents and information that UN Women has related to the consultancy's topics. It is the consultant's responsibility to obtain primary and secondary data from other sources, if necessary.

The consultant will maintain permanent coordination with their supervisor to effectively execute and develop the products requested by this consultancy. They will also provide information as requested within the framework of the terms of reference.

In the current context of the crisis due to COVID-19, no travel is contemplated for this consultancy, but rather remote and virtual work. This is subject to change depending on the current crisis.
 

VIII. Performance indicators

·      Timely presentation of products / deliverables according to the TORs

·      Work quality

·      Compliance with expected results

·      Compliance with the competencies as mentioned above (Ref. Profile of the consultant)

IX. Intellectual rights, patents, and other property rights

The right to equipment and supplies provided by UN Women to the consultant for the performance of any obligation under this contract shall remain with UN Women. Such equipment shall be returned to UN Women at the end of this contract or when the consultant no longer needs it. When returned to UN Women, such equipment shall be in the same condition as when it was given to the consultant, subject to normal wear and tear. The consultant shall be responsible for compensating UN Women for damaged or broken equipment regardless of normal wear and tear.

UN Women is entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including but not limited to: patents, copyrights, and trademarks, concerning products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, documents, and other materials that the consultant has prepared or collected in consequence of or during the execution of this consultancy, and the consultant acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents, and other materials constitute work carried out under the engagement of UN Women. However, if such intellectual property or other property rights consist of any intellectual property or property rights of the consultant (i) that existed before the consultant's performance of his or her obligations under this contract, or (ii) that the consultant may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of his or her obligations under this contract, UN Women will not and shall not claim any ownership interest therein, and the consultant shall grant UN Women a perpetual license to use such intellectual property or other property rights solely for the purpose and the requirements of this contract.

Competencies

X. Requirements

Core values:

• Respect for diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies:

1. Knowledge and Expertise in Communications and Digital Media.   

• Knowledge of best practices in digital outreach and digital advocacy.
• Experience in effective management of online platforms and content development.
• Excellent knowledge of social media marketing.
• Updated knowledge of interactive digital outreach tools.
• Creativity in planning digital outreach initiatives to serve UN Women’s mandate.
• Strong skills in writing, editing and communications in both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of gender sensitive language.

2. Management and result orientation

• Demonstrates excellent judgment, particularly with regard to being able to prioritize according to importance and urgency.
• Highly organized, with particular ability in devising systems to ensure follow-up.
• Enjoys multi-tasking and managing several projects at one time.
• Focuses on impact and result.
• Ability to work as a positive and valued member of task teams and demonstrates conflict resolution skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Builds strong relationships with team and partners.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Displays high level of discretion.

Required Skills and Experience

XI. Selection procedure and application requirements:

The selection process will be carried out through a desk review, which consists of a formal verification to verify that the applications comply with the documentary evidence to be examined and the minimum requirements established for the consultancy, followed by a the technical evaluation of the received applications, which will be qualified based on the technical requirements established in the following qualification table:

Short-listed candidates may be called for a competency-based interview on the level of knowledge of the subject area and on the specific topic of this consultancy. The relative value of the interview (if it is determined necessary after the desk review) will be 50% of the total score (i.e., 50% for the requirements compliance table and 50% for the interview). 

XII. Documents to be submitted for the application

1. UN Women Personal History Form (P11), which can be found in https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc
2. Personal identification (ID card, passport).

IMPORTANT NOTES 

·      Submitting the application: only one (1) file must be uploaded in PDF format. A guide is attached for you to perform this step. https://www.wikihow.com/Merge-PDF-Files. 

·      UN Women assumes no responsibility and only describes one of the many ways to compress documents related to the application. You may use whichever one you deem appropriate.  

·      Incomplete applications or those received after the closing date will not be considered.  

·      Only those applications appropriate for the shortlist will be contacted for an interview (if applicable). 

·      Consultants who have an employment relationship with public institutions can only be hired if they present proof of a work permit (license) without expiration and a letter of no objection to the consultancy's performance, issued by the employing institution. If the candidates are linked to a research institution, academic center, or university, presenting a letter of no objection issued by the employing institution is sufficient.  

·      The selected consultants must have medical coverage and present proof of their coverage within two months of signing their contract.

·      If the consultant needs to travel, medical coverage, required vaccines according to the destination, and travel insurance must be confirmed. 

·      If the consultancy is international, the currency will be US dollars or the local currency.

UN Women is committed to achieving workplace diversity in gender, nationality, and culture.  

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women's policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.) 

People from minority groups, indigenous groups, and people with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.