Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, and governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

 Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.

ELECT II which commenced January 2012, was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanistan, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.

As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.

The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:

Output 1:  Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development.

Output 2:  A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented.

Output 3:  The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced.

Output 4:  The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened.

Output 5:  The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved.

Output 6:  The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced.

Output 7:  The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Media Monitoring Consultant will be part of the UNDP ELECT II team of advisors providing technical support to the IEC and will work under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Technical Adviser of Pillar 3.

ELECT II invites qualified international experts in this field to apply for this position. UNDP actively encourages interested female experts to apply.
 
The Media Monitoring Consultant will report to the Media Commission Adviser, under the overall oversight of the Senior technical Adviser, Head of Pillar III. The Consultant will advise the IEC and the MC whether the media, both public and private, provide a balanced coverage of the election campaign in accordance with the existing legislation and the IEC Code of Conduct for the Media. The Consultant will also provide support to the entity contracted to undertake media monitoring, in order to deliver adequate training according to an internationally recognized methodology, and subsequently deliver reliable and comprehensive reporting to the MC.

The Media Monitoring Consultant must be highly competent in quantitative and qualitative media monitoring methodologies, media monitoring techniques and procedures, namely collection of data, data entry, periodical quality controls and submission of statistical reports.

Advice to the IEC Media Commission

The Media Monitoring Consultant is expected to provide assistance to the MC:

  • To identify major media outlets and guide the contracted media monitoring entity in carrying out a comprehensive oversight exercise, that would return a reliable and realistic picture of the media landscape of Afghanistan;
  • To interpret monitoring statistics and reporting in order to enable the MC to take appropriate corrective measures;
  • To interpret monitoring statistics and reporting for the purpose of elaborating key messages for the public dissemination;
  • To facilitate working cooperation with the contracted entity for media monitoring.

Technical assistance to the entity contracted to undertake Media Monitoring

The Media Monitoring Consultant is expected to provide assistance to the entity contracted to undertake media monitoring to deliver outputs in line with the contract requirements.

More specifically, the Consultant will assist in:

  • Developing a sound methodology based on internationally recognized standards and best practice, and provide the MC with advice on the interpretation of the media monitoring findings;
  • Developing a training program for media monitoring staff;
  • create a reliable data base and archive, and related quality check;
  • Delivering accurate and comprehensive reports/briefings to the MC, on findings about the media coverage of the electoral campaign, candidates’ access to equitable media coverage, and all other requirements specified in the contract.

The Consultant will perform other related media / communications duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Deliverables:
  • The Media Monitoring Consultant will provide the following deliverables, or in lieu of unforeseen circumstances that may prevent delivery, which is outside the control of the consultant, a status report including justifications is acceptable;
  • Advisory and recommendations on media monitoring methodology based on internationally recognized standards and best practice; draft analysis forms sample;
  • Project set up: draft training agenda and schedule for media monitors; draft specifications for digital audio/video recording & database;
  • Interim report;
  • Final report.
Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Adviser and the Head of Pillar 3, the consultant will directly report to the Media Commission Adviser.
The consultant will provide bi-weekly narrative progress reports.
The consultant will closely work together with the IEC Media Commission and with the Media Monitoring contracted company.

The consultant will be provided office space by UNDP either within the IEC HQ compound in Kabul or the UNDP Office.
The consultant will further more be provided the necessary ICT equipment (laptop, mobile phone, radio) and security devices (personal body armour, helmet) and will be fully included in the UNDP security regime.
Subject to availability of space, UNDP will secure accommodation at one of the following MOSS compliant locations (costs have to be covered by the consultant): UNOCA compound, Green Village compound, Kabul Lodge, or Serena Hotel. In line with the UN security regime the consultant has to take accommodation in one of these secure locations.
UNDP will provide transport from the accommodation to the office and back.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism. 
Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • Ability to conduct required research, analyze and produce proposals and reports;
  • Excellent analytical aptitude, communication, writing and presentation skill;
  • Commitment and enthusiasm for development work;
  • In-depth knowledge on development issues;
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Management and Leadership:
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multiethnic environment;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Previous experience in development and/or implementation of media monitoring methodologies/operations in the election context;
  • Good knowledge of election-related issues;
  • Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
  • Ability to manage complexities and openness to change;
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Advanced computer skills and knowledge of databases;
  • High level project management;
  • Organizational and administrative skills;
  • Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team, especially with colleagues from varied cultures and ethnical backgrounds;
  • Ability to adapt to a difficult working environment, under pressure and with limited timeframes;
  • Ability to travel and work long hours;
  • Ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, Media/Communications studies or related field.
Experience:
  • A minimum of seven years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience in political and media analysis, or media and social research;
  • Previous experience in development and/or implementation of media monitoring methodologies/operations in the election context;
  • Good knowledge of election-related issues;
  • Previous experience in Afghanistan or other Islamic countries an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
  • Knowledge of Dari or Pashto is an asset
 Technical and Financial Proposal
 
Applicants have to provide a technical and a financial proposal.

The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation.

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, costs of living, costs for insurance, and cost of travel to and from the duty station. The financial proposal shall contain a breakdown of these costs (according to above categories) and indicate the number of off-days the consultant wants to take during the contract period.

The lump sum / contract price is fixed, regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components.

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 methodology will be weighted 70%, and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30%.

Key selection criteria are:

  • Approach and working experience with regard to establishing and implementing media monitoring projects, including development of methodology and database (40%)
  • Approach and working experience with regard to conduct Media Monitoring project (15%)
  • Working experience with election commissions (5%)
  • Proven working experience in conflict countries, in particular in Afghanistan (10%)

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.