Background
As one of the three founding organizations of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) along with UNEP and the World Bank, UNDP has been providing support to countries to access the GEF grant for generating global environmental benefits since 1991. UNDP’s Global Environmental Finance (GEF) Unit is the focal unit for this partnership. The current UNDP-GEF portfolio comprises 819 active projects, with the GEF grant investment of US$ 2.52 billion, combined with an additional US$ 11.2 billion in co-financing in 141 countries. The projects are in 5 thematic areas:
- Sustainable, affordable and accessible energy services
- Scaling up climate change adaptation and mitigation
- Sustainable management of ecosystem goods and services
- Sustainable management of chemicals and waste
- Improved water and ocean governance.
At the same time, many of the projects are multi-focal in nature aiming at generating multiple impacts including development impacts.
To commemorate the 25 years of collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP, UNDP is producing a publication provisionally entitled “25 Voices of Impact -25 years’ investment in global environment towards sustainable development”. This publication will focus on case studies with major development impact from different focal areas we deal with: biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, international waters and chemicals, and integration between these focal areas. The publication aims to make a strong case for the development dividend of our work and for more integrated approach to generate multiple benefits towards achievements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will feature 25 case studies, with a first person narrative from a ‘voice of impact’ – a feature person (farmer/school child/fisherman/park staff/government officers, etc.) giving an account of the impact of the project to them on a personal level, their experience and voice demonstrating the project's developmental impact and multiple impact.
To manage and further develop the portfolio, UNDP’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) unit has a headquarter team in New York and regional teams in Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Bangkok and Panama, being responsible for Africa, Arab States, Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions respectively. Each of the five thematic teams are headed by the Principal Technical Advisors in New York who report to the UNDP-GEF Executive Coordinator.
The publication is to be finalized by November for launch. In this regard UNDP-GEF is seeking to engage a communications and technical assistant to lead the compilation of the publication in a timely and quality fashion.
Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP-GEF Executive Coordinator and Ecosystems and Biodiversity Senior Technical Advisor, the consultant will conceptualize, develop and manage the production of a publication showcasing the last 25 years of investment in global environment towards sustainable development. S/he will work closely with UNDP-GEF Results and Knowledge Specialists, Country Office and project communication specialists, project managers, NBSAP Forum communications consultant, and Principal and Senior Regional Technical Advisers of different thematic teams. The consultant will also liaise closely with GEF Secretariat’s communication team.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will work with the 5 thematic teams of the UNDP-GEF Unit: Biodiversity and Ecosystem, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation and Energy, International Waters and Chemicals.
Summary of Key Functions (with indicative time allocation, in percentage):
Manage the publication process and provide editorial support to the compilation of the publication – 80%
- Design publication concept to maximize impact;
- Create and manage publication schedule and plan;
- Work closely with UNDP core team to identify key focal areas and point people to assist in the collection of assets;
- Liaise with team members and partners to solicit their contributions;
- Conduct necessary desk top research, interviews, and analysis for the publication;
- Provide editorial support to the technical writer as required including editing, writing, proofing;
- Develop ToR for consultants required for publication including an artist, graphic designer, etc. and coordinate the service procurement process;
- Manage contributors to ensure timely compilation of the publication, including texts, photos, artwork, etc.;
- Facilitate peer reviews of the publication.
Develop marketing plan for publication including supporting material and events – 20%
- Support UNDP's preparation for participation in various regional and global fora relevant to the publication;
- Support liaison with potential financing and partner agencies and institutions;
- Support development of new project concepts, conducting desk research and analysis on the subject/topic covered by the proposed project concepts;
- Perform other functions as mutually agreed.
Deliverables:
The key deliverables is: Publication provisionally titled “25 years of investment in global environment towards sustainable development” by November 2016:
- Approved publication concept, workplan with clear responsibilities and timeline, and budget by 20 July 2016;
- First draft publication by 15 September 2016;
- Final printed publication by 25 October 2016;
- Submission of marketing plan and materials by 30 November 2016.
Payment Schedule:
Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables by the Supervisors as per below percentages:
- Approved publication concept, workplan with clear responsibilities and timeline and budget - 25%;
- First draft publication - 40%;
- Final printed publication – 20%;
- Submission of marketing plan and materials, 15%.
Performance Indicators
- Timely consultations and delivery of outputs based on established deadlines for completion;
- Effective, timely, high-quality and often independent consultations with stakeholders and partners;
- Accurate presentation of information and analysis that promotes 25 years of investment in global environment towards sustainable development.
Information on Working Arrangements:
- Estimated level of effort is 100 days, including travel;
- Consultant will work from his/her home-base with limited travel mission;
- The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
- Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones;
- The consultant will report directly to the UNDP-GEF Executive Coordinator and will be supervised on a daily basis by the head of ecosystem and biodiversity team;
- The consultant will provide a progress report to the UNDP-GEF Executive Coordinator on a monthly basis;
- The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
- Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form accompanied by a short monthly report on tasks undertaken and milestones reached, and acceptance and confirmation by the Executive Coordinator on days worked (with a “day” calculated as 8 hours of work) and outputs delivered.
Travel:
- A limited amount of international travel may be required;
- Any necessary missions must be approved in advance and in writing by the Supervisor;
- The Advanced and Basic Security in the Field II courses must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
- Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
- Consultants are responsible for obtaining any visas and security clearances needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
- The Consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/
- The consultant will be responsible for making his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies;
- All related travel expenses will be supported by UNDP funds and will be reimbursed as per UNDP rules and regulations for consultants. Costs for airfares, terminal expenses, and living allowances should not be included in the financial proposal.
Competencies
Corporate:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Professionalism:
- Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
- Excellent Analytical skills;
- Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
- Experience in facilitation and coordination;
- Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
- Resolves conflicts as they arise;
- Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
- Highly organized and detailed oriented.
Technical:
- Familiarity with a wide range of communications tools and approaches, their potential impact and suitability;
- Sound knowledge of issues within environment and development field and 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in media relations, journalism, international relations or related studies; Master's Degree desirable( Max. 10 points).
Experience:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience working in the field of media and communication (max. 15 points);
- Demonstrable experience in publication production management. Please attach or provide links to at least 3 samples of previous work relevant to this assignment in your application (max 30 points);
- Project management experience including managing remotely (max. 10 points);
- Experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy (max, 10 points);
- Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office) (max. 5 points);
- Previous work experience with UNDP or a related organization is an advantage (max. 10 points);
- Previous experience working on communications and outreach that relate to sustainable development, environmental and/or biodiversity issues is an advantage, but not a requirement (max 10 points).
Language:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (max. 10 points).
Evaluation method:
- Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
- Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical score will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
- The technical criteria (education, experience, languages) will be based on a maximum 110 points;
- Only the top 3 candidates scoring 77 points or higher from the review of the education, experience, and languages will be considered for financial evaluation;
- Financial score (max 100 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the financial offer being evaluated and the lowest priced financial offer of those technically qualified;
- The financial proposal shall specify a lump sum fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment);
- The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and who has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.
Documentation to be submitted:
- Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the below link;
- Applicants must attach or provide links to at least 3 samples of previous work relevant to this assignment in their application;
- Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
Kindly note you can upload only one document to this application. Please scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach.
Individual Consultant's General Terms and Conditions are provided here:
UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc