Background

The Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Programme for Mountain Ecosystems in Uganda, Nepal and Peru aims tostrengthen the capacities of these three countries, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, to build ecosystem resilience for promoting ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) options and to reduce the vulnerability of communities, with particular emphasis on mountain ecosystems.

The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through its International Climate Initiative, and is  implemented through a partnership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Climate change impacts are already affecting the functioning and integrity of several ecosystems and on Mount Elgon and are adding to the stress resulting from other anthropogenic interventions such as unsustainable land use practices. The project countries and targeted ecosystems have been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. A multitude of communities depend upon the services provided by these ecosystems.EBA is defined as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. EBA uses the range of opportunities for the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to provide services that enable people to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Specifically the project supports: (i) the development of methodologies and tools for mountain ecosystems; (ii) the application of the above tools and methodologies at the national level; (iii) the implementation of EBA pilots at the ecosystem level; and (iv) the formulation of national policies and building an economic case for EBA at the national level.
The project creates new opportunities for experimental learning between regions and among countries within the same region. Through parallel and cooperative development and application of methodologies and tools and the implementation of pilot projects, the project will shorten the learning curve of local and national institutions and fast-track the transfer of knowledge and experience in relation to building ecosystem resilience.

The four year (2011-2014) Ecosystem Based Adaptation to climate Change Adaptation (EBA) Project is implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with UNDP, IUCN and UNEP. The different partners are responsible for certain components through the coordination by the Programme Management Unit (PMU) within the MWE, covering the implementation in the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bulambuli and Sironko.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall Consultancy Need:

 This consultancy will produce a framework under which partners and stakeholders can continue communicating and understanding issues of EBA within the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem. The role of communication in the fight against the negative impacts of climate change, envisaged support to policies and building of a national case cannot be over emphasised under the EBA Programme. It not only helps presentation of legislation and regulations on the fight against climate change, but also introduction of EBA optionsand the environmental services in the ecosystem ; raising awareness of target groups on CC and the need to adapt; advocacy; and mobilisation of partners.

The project’s communication strategy and implementation plan for promoting ecosystem based adaptation (EBA) to climate change in the Mount Elgon region will contribute to the fulfilment of the following project components in Uganda:

• Development of methodologies and tools for EBA decision-making in mountain ecosystems;
• Application of methodologies and tools at ecosystem level;
• Implementation of EBA pilots at ecosystem level;
• Development of a business case for EBA at the National level.

The strategy will back up the various activities carried out as part of the fight against climate change and the adaptation of local populations in the Mt. Elgon Region and the mountainous areas as a whole. As such, the strategy will be expected to contribute directly to the attainment of the following objectives: 

• Support in the development of a business case for EBA at the National Level;
• Support in the implementation of regulations/governing policies on the fight against climate change;
• Assisting the introduction of groundbreaking, technical, institutional, financial and other EBA options to contain global warming and its impacts;
• Awareness-raising and outreach activities;
• Advocacy activities directed at key development actors;
• Mobilisation of target groups;
• Support the documentation and sharing of EBA experiences and learning lessons.

Objectives of the study:

The Programme Management Unit is seeking to engage a Consultant to:

• Conduct a communication analysis of the Ecosystem Based Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mountainous Region of Uganda Programme (EBA); and
• Design a communication strategy for implementation from July 2013 to December 2015.

Consultancy Implementation Arrangements:

The contract will be performance-based, spanning a period of 3 months. Terms and conditions of service linked to the type of proposed contract will apply.

The consultant/consultants will be under the overall supervision and guidance of the EBA Programme Management Unit (PMU) and will report every two weeks. Coordination of the consultancy activities with the EBA partner/implementing organizations, and stakeholders in the Mount Elgon districts and national level, will be conducted with the EBA secretariat (PMU), to ensure appropriate communications about the project and easy access to stakeholders.
It is expected that this contract will require the consultants to closely work with the regional colleagues in Nairobi at UNEP for harmonisation with the EBA website and communication strategy.

UNEP and UNDPin co-ordination with the Uganda EBA National Programme Coordinator will provide technical guidance during the implementation of the consultancy activities. The consultancy technical reports will be submitted to the Uganda EBA National Programme Coordinator.

The contractor may be invited to present the results of the consultancy at selected workshops or meetings of the project. Costs for any such participation are not included in this tender or contract.

Detailed Consultancy Activities:

 It is recognised that for successful implementation the Programme requires a comprehensive and coherent communication strategy and implementation plan that will:

• Raise the public profile of the Programme nationally as per component 3 of the EBA Programme and with identified audiences;
• Ensure effective lobbying and advocacy with critical stakeholders, and;
• Support and further the effectiveness of the activities identified in the Annual Work Plans of the Implementing Partners.

The consultancy will produce:

• An analysis of the communication needs of the overall EBA programme and communication activities to be undertaken by the implementing partners;
• Goals and SMART targets of the proposed communication strategy with its implementation plan;
• A detailed analysis identifying the settings, channels, key messages, key stakeholders, and media for reaching the critical publics for the communication strategy;
• Resident capacities of institutions for communication and probable ones to implement the strategy
• A monitoring & evaluation instrument of the Strategy including guidance on control of the quality of communication efforts and products;
• A crisis communication management template or guideline for the strategy;
• Identify communication capacity building needs, if any, for project implementation staff and other stakeholders.

Consultancy Final Deliverables:

• Inception Report;
• Draft Communication strategy, including the following tasks: Development of Data Collection  Instrument; Testing of Data Collection Instrument: Correction of Data Collection Instrument; Collection of data in the field;Analysis of Data;
• Draft the Communication strategy;
• Facilitation in a communication learning and validation workshop;
• A detailed communication strategy with recommended outlets and media for reaching the public and audiences identified including a Gant chart timetabling the roll-out of the strategy,  detailing also the following;
  
• Proposals of the types of educational and informational materials suggested for use as part of the communication strategy;
• An implementation plan, including a detailed resource list and estimated budget and;
• An M & E instrument for measuring the achievement of the goals and targets of the strategy;
• A report of the lessons learnt in the process and recommendations on improving the methods;
• A communication and training and capacity building plan.

Consultancy Timetable:

First Week:

• Review of relevant EBA Project Documents. Clarification on the scope and requirements of the consultancy work with partners (PMU, UNDP & IUCN). Submission of Inception Report on methods and timetable, including addressing skills and data gaps.

Second week:

• Incorporation of comments from EBA secretariat and stakeholders as advice on the work plan for the task.Development of data collection Instrument.

Third to fifth week:

• Data collection in the field to determine the communication needs, capacities and analysis and report writing.

Sixth to Eight Week:

• A 3 day learning workshop to validate the strategy and train key staff in communication skills including how to implement the strategy, crisis communication management; and monitoring and evaluation of the communication strategy. Inclusion of remarks from stakeholders into report and submission of Final report.  
  

Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills;
• Demonstrated ability and excellent communication skills to facilitate and coordinate interviews and focus group discussions and to work in a team;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines; remains calm and in control under pressure;
• Excellent inter-personal and technical communication (oral, written and visual) skills;
  
• Strong knowledge/experience in results-based management and results-oriented approach to project implementation;
• Technical knowledge and understanding of environmental issues;
• Ability to act professionally and flexibility to engage with government officials, development partner representatives and local government..

Personal Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s Degree in Communication, Media/public relations/advertising/ communication analysis & planning or related field.

Experience:

Applicants shall be legally registered and shall demonstrate sufficient capacities to implement the required activity in a satisfactory manner. The successful applicants will have: 

• At least 8 to10 years solid experience in developing communication strategies;
• Experience in the fields of environment, agriculture or climate change would be a distinct advantage;
  
• Proven research experience;
• Experience with working with various stakeholders in Uganda including civil society, government institutions, and international organizations; and experience carrying out similar assignments;
• Proven experience in report writing and drafting.

Language Requirements:

• English is required: high level language writing skills are essential.
  

 Payment Modalities:

Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 installments. These shall be all inclusive and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components:

• Upon signature of contract by both parties and presentation of an approved inception report: 20%;
•  Presentation of acceptable and approved Draft report, 2 months after signing the contract: 30%;
• Submission and acceptance of Final Report, 3 months after signing the contract: 50%.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Cumulative analysis
The award of the contract shall 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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation: Technical Criteria weight: 70%; Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points.
Criteria, points:

• Education (Advanced degree or higher in Communications): 10;
•  Language skills: 5;
• Knowledge of the communication strategy development: 10;
• Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments: 15;
• Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting: 10;
• Description of approach/methodology to assignment: 20.

Application Procedure:

The consultant is required to submit an online application by 1st July 2013 through the UNDP Jobs website (http://jobs.undp.org) including the following documents/information in a single document (preferably in Adobe PDF format): 

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II).
• 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;
• Technical proposal: Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II).

 Annexes (to be downloaded from UNDP Uganda website, procurement notices section: www.undp.or.ug):

• Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions;
• Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.

FC: 62040