UNDP Jobs - 55793- Communications Consultant (HDRO)

Communications Consultant (HDRO)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

06-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

03-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

7 months

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

The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is seeking a short terms consultant to undertake a mission critical assignment pertaining to the preparation of the launch of the Human Development Report, during the maternity leave of the regular Communication Advisor.

HDRO produces annually the editorially independent, global Human Development Report for UNDP. Since inception in 1990 the report has acted as a highly visible and influential people-centered contribution to development thinking. Each edition is launched around the world by UNDP offices as contributions to public debate and policy making at national and global levels; picked up by global and national media, and the analysis – and annually updated human development indices and data sets are used by governments, civil society and development partners in their policy formulation and advocacy.

Throughout the year, HDRO also seeks to promote the human development concept and approach to analysis and policy making through outreach, including via the web and social media, to influential stakeholders, through engagement with academic networks and by convening and participating in expert and high-visibility events. In particular, the office organizes the annual global human development forum and the HD measurement conference.

HDRO includes a unit devoted to outreach, which includes specialists in communication, including on-line, and publication. It is supervised by the Deputy Director.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Director the Communications the candidates is expected to: implement the outreach and communications strategy for the annual Human Development Report (HDR) as well as focal point for the organization of the Global Human Development Forum.

Duties and Responsibilities

The candidate is anticipated to function in all the areas listed below. Work will be distributed as appropriated.

Editorial – development of press material, speeches and presentation materials

Working in close collaboration with HDRO Report team, UNDP’s Office of Communication and Regional bureaus:

Draft and copy-edits press package materials related the 2015 Human Development Report (HDR), including global and regional press releases;
Draft and develop speeches, speaking point and power point presentations for high UNDP official involved in the launch of the 2015 HDR;
Develop and ensure timely production of other product and services such as FAQ, key messages and others;
Incorporate and consolidates the revisions adaptations requested by HDRO team and other UNDP bureaus to these materials;
Assist in the coordination with UNDP Regional Offices for the preparation of the regional press releases and kits.

Preparation of the launch of the annual Human Development Report

Support the implementation of the communication strategy defined for the launch and dissemination of the Human Development Reports, including:

Organize pre-launch substantive briefings for relevant UNDP staff including Country Offices;
Develop supporting materials for these meetings and ensure timely dissemination;
Support the organization of the Global Launch Event including, identifying a venue and managing logistics and organizational matters;
Maintains a roster list of planned launches ate the regional and national levels;
Support joint work with the Bureaus of External Relations and Advocacy and their representative offices on high profile launches in countries without UNDP country offices;
Liaise with external partner for their participation on launch events;
Support media outreach, including the organization of media briefings;
Supports media follow up on interviews and media request;
Ensure the timely launch of embargo media site, media advisories, and press releases.

Human Development Global Forum

Acts as focal point in the organization of HDRO Human Development Global Forum to take place in early 2016;
Ensure proper coordination and frequent flows of information with organizational partners of the event;
Identifies and maintains a data base of relevant international stakeholders among policy makers, experts and opinion leaders (public/private) to be invited to the event and follow –up with them to ensure an adequate forum;
Lead in follow up with invited panelist and secure their appropriate briefing;
Draft concept note for the panels;
Develops supporting materials including invitations, agenda, program for the Even, preparation of panelist kit and invitees folders, etc.

Others:

Supports the ongoing outreach with key audiences through weekly communication through the biweekly Human Development Today Newsletter and Dialogue Blog;
Supports the visibility of Human Develop Report Office through social media (drafting of messages, preparation of multimedia materials) and ensure timely updates;
Compiles press clippings and conducts a quantitative and qualitative media impact analysis.

Competencies

Functional Competences

Excellent oral and writing skills;
Efficiency, accuracy, organizational skills, self-management, ability to prioritize, and attention to detail;
Demonstrated commitment to timely delivery of projects;
Ability to work with cooperatively in a multicultural and international environment;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Corporate Competencies:

Integrity

Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism

Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity

Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values

Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Development and Innovation

Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams

Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing

Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence

Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management:

Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in media relations, journalism, publishing, international relations or similar disciplines or related field of expertise.

Work Experience:

Minimum five years of relevant work experience in the field of public relations, media and/or communications at the national or international level;
Professional experience as a deadline news writer and/or editor for English-language media highly desirable;
Prior experience in the UNDP will be an asset.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English;
Writing skills and verbal fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Technical requirements:

Solid experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Expertise in the use of social networking tools.

Other desirable education and work experience:

Working experience in the field of development and familiarity with economics and development terminology and concepts would be an advantage;
Familiarity with Human Development Report desirable;
Experience working with the media and established contacts a plus.

Evaluation of applications:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation 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.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks):

Educational qualifications and required work experience (30 marks);
Professional experience as a deadline news writer and/or editor for English-language media (20 marks);
Experience in the field of development and familiarity with economics and development terminology and concepts; familiarity with Human Development Report (20 marks).

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks):

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

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

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

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;
Any sample relevant written material

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.