Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Iraq Mission Statement

UNDP is part of the UN Country Team in Iraq, which is comprised of 16 resident and 4 non-resident agencies. The UN Country Team is part of the integrated mission with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which was established in 2003. UNDP works alongside the UN Country Team to strengthen its coordinated effectiveness with the overall aim of achieving the MDGs and the post-2015 agenda. UNDP enables the work of the Country Team by undertaking a number of joint programmes to improve networking and information exchange capacities and reach a broader range of stakeholders and areas of Iraq. 

UNDP has been a major partner of the Government of Iraq (GoI) in its efforts to build resilience which can potentially address the vulnerabilities and shocks originating from political violence, environmental degradation, natural hazards and climate change. UNDP Iraq has established a dedicated team on environment to build capacities of the Iraqi authorities in tackling the pressing environmental challenges in the country. The team is currently engaged in scaling up efforts and expanding the portfolio through developing and designing several projects in responding to the national priorities and in line with the relevant SDGs for the environment, energy, disaster risks management and climate change. To this end, UNDP Iraq intends to hire an International Expert on Communication and Report preparation to help the environment team produce high-quality reports and communication products as well as media advocacy of results in the areas of environment, disaster and climate change.

The objective of this assignment is to backstop EECC programme team on two specific areas of technical support: (a) preparation of high-quality reports, communication products, and provisioning editorial support/quality assurance to project deliverables; (b) external communication and public outreach management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

A.Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Ensure that information and data from the field is captured, documented, analyzed and reported in a results-based and timely manner;
• Coordinate with the project staffs and support preparation of progress reports – quarterly, Annual and completion report.
• Facilitate and help project staffs in crafting advocacy messages on disaster risks and environmental awareness for the vulnerable communities, local authorities, and stakeholders at large.
• Gather inputs from the projects and prepare high-quality donor report including those for GEF (PIR) and Project Completion Report.
• Coordinate with the relevant project experts/staffs and take responsibility to update Project Fact Sheets, brochures, and project related communication pieces.
• Facilitate and provide editorial support (in English) to finalize project deliverables and technical reports or publications

1. External Communications and Public Outreach Management

• Lead promotion and visibility of environment, disaster, energy and climate change activities undertaken by UNDP and its respective Programme partners with special attention on results and impact through media outreach, using new types of media, including UNDP digital and social media platforms and communication tools as appropriate;
• Lead preparation and editing of press releases, programme related media advisories and other documents;
• Organize and conduct training for the project staffs for enhancing communication skills.
• Support to Government of Iraq (GoI) communications’ focal points for EECC as required.

Expected Outputs, Deliverables and Timelines:

Payment schedules will be finalised based on the detail work-plan to be submitted by the consultant after completion of his first field mission in Iraq. While the milestones/deliverables will be adjusted, the schedule of payment will be as follows: 

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

e Consultant shall work closely with UNDP project staff and report directly to the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Programme Manager/ UNDP Iraq. the National DRR Adviser will coordinate with the national stakeholders and provide technical support in accomplishing the above deliverables according to timeline

Duration of the Work:

90 Working Days during 10 months (1 March 2018 to 31 December 2018)

Duty Station:

This will be a home based assignment (However, within the scope of 90 work-days, the consultant will undertake following field missions to Iraq:

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and with impartiality.

Functional Competencies:

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Demonstrates excellent  oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Self-reliant and able to work as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful.

Professionalism:

• Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments; observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing:

• Identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Meets time line for delivery of product or services to client.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.

Technological awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• At least a Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in media studies, social science, political science, international relations or a related field. 

Years of experience:

• At least 15 years of proven experience on communication, media advocacy and report writing
• S/he should have substantial experience working with the UN and the Government NGOs, CSOs, and communities.
• Fluency in English and highly developed communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to write concisely and clearly in English;
• Experience in the context of Iraq is a necessity

Special skills requirements

1. Languages:

• Fluent in English.

1. Skills and Experience:

• At least 15 years of proven experience on communication, media advocacy and report writing
• S/he should have substantial experience working with the UN and the Government NGOs, CSOs, and communities.
• Fluency in English and highly developed communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to write concisely and clearly in English;

Experience in the context of Iraq is a necessity in the field of communication and preferable with international organization with relations with counterparts, donors, and local government

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS (Standard text - do not change)

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 90 working days.
• The contractor shall propose a Living allowance at Baghdad applicable rate of USD 275 per night for his/her stay at the duty station. The number of nights for which the Living allowance shall be payable under the contract is 21 nights in Baghdad. The contractor is NOT allowed to stay in a place of his choice other than the UNDSS approved places. UNDP will provide MORSS compliant accommodation in Green Village (GV) to the contractor. The payment of GV accommodation shall be made directly to GV by the contractor.
• Travel & Visa – The contractor shall propose an estimated lump-sum for home-Baghdad-home travel (economy most direct route) and Iraq visa expenses.

The total professional fee, shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables.

EVALUATION METHOD AND CRITERIA

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

1. Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) 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

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

Technical Criteria 70 points

Technical Proposal (30 marks)

• Technical Approach & Methodology (20 marks) – Explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach.
• Work Plan (10 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

Qualification and Experience (40 marks) [evaluation of CV]:

• General Qualification (20 marks);

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template 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;
• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.

Financial proposal, as per template provided in UNDP jobsite (Annex II);

Incomplete proposals may not be considered

Financial proposal Annex II

OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP

CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY

FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT

Date                                        

Mr. Mounir Tabet

United Nations Development Programme

Erbil, Iraq

Dear Sir/Madam:

I hereby declare that:

1. I have read, understood and hereby accept the Terms of Reference describing the duties and responsibilities of [ indicate title of assignment]  under the [state project title];

1. I have also read, understood and hereby accept UNDP’s General Conditions of Contract for the Services of the Individual Contractors;

1. I hereby propose my services and I confirm my interest in performing the  assignment through the submission of my CV or Personal History Form (P11) which I have duly signed and attached hereto as Annex 1;

1. In compliance with the requirements of the Terms of Reference, I  hereby confirm that I am available for the entire duration of the assignment, and I shall perform the services in the manner described in my proposed approach/methodology which I have attached hereto as Annex 3 [delete this item if the TOR does not require submission of this document];

1. I hereby propose to complete the services based on the following payment rate : [pls. check the box corresponding to the preferred option]:

1. An all-inclusive daily fee of [state amount in words and in numbers indicating currency]
2. A total lump sum of [state amount in words and in numbers, indicating exact currency], payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference.

1. For your evaluation, the breakdown of the abovementioned all-inclusive amount is attached hereto as Annex 2;

1. I recognize that the payment of the abovementioned amounts due to me shall be based on my delivery of outputs within the timeframe specified in the TOR, which shall be subject to UNDP's review, acceptance and payment certification procedures;

1. This offer shall remain valid for a total period of ___________ days [minimum of 90 days] after the submission deadline;

1. I confirm that I have no first degree relative (mother, father, son, daughter, spouse/partner, brother or sister) currently employed with any UN agency or office [disclose the name of the relative, the UN office employing the relative, and the relationship if, any such relationship exists];

1. If I am selected for this assignment, I shall [pls. check the appropriate box]:

1. Sign an Individual Contract with UNDP;
2. Request my employer [state name of company/organization/institution] to sign with UNDP a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), for and on my behalf.  The contact person and details of my employer for this purpose are as follows:

1. I hereby confirm that [check all that applies]:

1. At the time of this submission, I have no active Individual Contract or any form of engagement with any Business Unit of UNDP;
2. I am currently engaged with UNDP and/or other entities for the following work  :

1. I am also anticipating conclusion of the following work from UNDP and/or other entities for which I have submitted a proposal :

• I fully understand and recognize that UNDP is not bound to accept this proposal, and I also understand and accept that I shall bear all costs associated with its preparation and submission and that UNDP will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the selection process.

1. If you are a former staff member of the United Nations recently separated, pls. add this section to your letter:   I hereby confirm that I have complied with the minimum break in service required before I can be eligible for an Individual Contract. 

• I also fully understand that, if I am engaged as an Individual Contractor, I have no expectations nor entitlements whatsoever to be re-instated or re-employed as a staff member. 

• I hereby confirm that I am in good health and able to travel to undertake the present assignment

Full Name and Signature:                                                          Date Signed:

Annexes [pls. check all that applies]:

1. CV or Duly signed P11 Form
2. Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template
3. Brief Description of Approach to Work (if required by the TOR)

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS

SUPPORTING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

1. Breakdown of Cost by Components:

1. Breakdown of Cost by Deliverables* as per the Schedule of Payment indicated in the ToR

*Basis for payment tranches. More rows can be added if required as per the ToR.