UNDP Jobs - 73022- Civic and Voter Education Consultant

Civic and Voter Education Consultant

Location :

Monrovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

17-Jul-2017

Application Deadline :

28-Jun-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

5 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 Months

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 UNDP election project has played a significant role in supporting the 2011 General elections and 2014 Senatorial elections in Liberia through its financial, logistical and technical assistance to the National Election Commission (NEC). It also assisted the NEC in the post-election period where considerable progress has been made in the reformation of the legal and administrative sectors, successful implementation of the capacity building programs and institutional changes.

The success of elections depends on the public's understanding of democratic principles and processes. Civic and voter education is crucial to maintaining the political stability and long term consolidation of democracy in the country and creating public confidence in key institutions such as the NEC. A high level of public knowledge on voter rights, the election process and election administration is also critical to a peaceful and credible election. In this context, the NEC in collaboration with UNDP intends to carry out outreach programme for the upcoming 2017 General Elections, by increasing public participation in elections and empowering voters to exercise their democratic rights, with keen attention to women, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups, illiterate and first time voters around the country. Therefore, as part of efforts to support the CVE exercise for the 2017 elections, the Election Project with funding from European Union and Sweden seeks services of an international consultant to help the NEC CVE Section meet its growing needs for quality services and in developing a civic & voter education strategy to streamline and increase effectiveness of its civic & voter education activities for the upcoming 2017 elections.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant in coordination with NEC and UNDP will map out the plans, methodologies and strategies for CVE, existing collaborative relationships and also existing capacity gaps with regard to public awareness and voter education for the national elections. With this information, the consultant will draft a strategy for effective civic education and voter awareness for election day outreach campaign, and increase citizen’s participation in the election process. This will also involve strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations to support the Commission in the delivery of quality CVE programme and services and to work more effectively to increase citizen’s knowledge of their rights and duties, political institutions and how to engage with them.

The consultant under direct supervision of CTA is expected to perform the following:

Outline the methodology and timeline for undertaking the assignment;
Evaluate CSOs that carry out CVE outreach for the voter registration process and recommend clear TORs for the general elections;
Map out how the NEC could foster better cooperation and synergy with civil society organizations, the media, local county authorities to promote voter education;
Develop a Civic and Voter Education Strategy of the NEC;
Support the election project and the NEC in development of TORs for recruitment of CSOs in the implementation of Voter Education Strategy;
Serve as a focal person for preparation and management of contracts for the selection of CSOs;
Support the NEC in enhancement of its strategic framework that maps out priority activity areas for civic/voter education interventions, as well as formulate monitoring indicators;
Support NEC and election project to monitor the CVE activities;
Compile civic education reports and undertake reviews;
Assist NEC and election project in review and implementation of school based program;
Support the NEC and Graphic Artist in the design and production of various art works, scripts and messages for the Exhibition, Candidate Nomination and General Elections processes;
Support the NEC in the planning and training methodology for CSOs for the Exhibition, Candidate Nomination and General Elections processes;
Develop CVE training manual;
Accomplish others tasks assigned by CTA.

Deliverables:

Outline the methodology and timeline for undertaking the assignment; Map out how NEC could foster better cooperation and synergy with civil society organizations, the media, local county authorities to promote voter education; Develop a Civic and Voter Education Strategy of the NEC for the upcoming elections : One (1) month 20 % of payment
Support the NEC in enhancement of its strategic framework that maps out priority activity areas for civic/voter education interventions, as well as formulate monitoring indicators; One (1) month 20 % of payment
Evaluate CSOs that carry out CVE outreach for the voter registration process; Support the election project and NEC in development of TORs for recruitment of CSOs in the implementation of Voter Education Strategy. Serve as a focal person for preparation and management of contracts for the selected CSOs; One (1) month 20 % of payment
Develop CVE training manual; One (1.) months 20 % of payment
Assist NEC and election project in review and implementation of school based programmeSupport the NEC and Graphic Artist in the design and production of various art works, scripts and messages for the Exhibition, Candidate Nomination and General Elections processes; Submit the final report One (1) month 20 % of payment.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Strong project communication, organizational, analytical and writing skills;
Strong knowledge of latest mass media technology;
Full awareness of and sensitivity to local culture customs and traditions;
Computer literacy in Microsoft Software and IT packages;
Results oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills;
Ability to work independently and under pressure and meet deadlines;
Strong capacity for relationship-building and communication;
Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of national and international interlocutors;
Proven capacity of initiative and autonomy;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in political/social sciences, humanities, international relations, communication science or other relevant field. In lieu of a master’s level degree proven professional experience in the field of work will be considered as equivalent (7 years).

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant experience in the field of elections/electoral bodies and mass communication, electoral or political work, civic and voter education, elections management and coordination, human rights and civil society empowerment.
Demonstrated experience with civil sector and NGO partners in conducting media or advocacy campaigns.
Experience working with UNDP or other international organizations as well as Electoral Authorities or other politically sensitive organizations
Demonstrated experience and good knowledge of how UNDP implements donor –funded projects, including EU funded projects.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English.

Evaluation criteria:

Shortlisting: Education = 4 points : Experience = 6 points; 7 points required for pass to the desk review process

Only shortlisted candidates will be forwarded the UNDP Procurement Notice

Technical proposal (desk review)

Technical skills, given by qualifications and training record (20 points);
Overall experience in the provision with the services given above (50 points);
Adequacy of competencies & skills responding to the Terms of Reference (30 points).

To be qualified candidate should obtain minimum 70% of the total 70 points.

Contract Award

Contract will be awarded to highest scored candidate (technical score + financial scores)/100
Rating will be as follow:

Rating the Technical Proposal (TP):
TP Rating = (Total Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100

Rating the Financial Proposal (FP):
FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

Total Combined Score:
(TP rating) x (Weight of TP, e.g. 70%) + (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, e.g., 30%)
Total Combined and Final Rating of the Proposal: The higher combined score will be recommended.

Interested candidates are requested to submit in separate files a technical and financial proposal to the email bids.lr@undp.org.

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. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.