Background

The project objective is to protect biodiversity of the world Heritage sites by increasing capacity in effective protection and provide incentives that turn out threats into beneficial factors. The project works in 3 components firstly, strengthening the capacity in protection by SMART Patrol system and gauranteed welfare for rangers; secondly, providing incentives of conservation oriented livelihoods for the enclave communities and ones living in buffer zone; thirdly, environment education aiming at public awareness and established governance system for the World Heritage sites with constructive engagement of partners as joint efforts with the government.

Thailand lies at the heart of the tiger range and is thus known as a key tiger range country (TRC) where tiger population is increasing while others are moving in downward trend. As a living indicator, the project uses Tiger as the icon species which determine and represent biodiversity of the ecosystem within their habitat i.e. the World Heritage Site. The tiger habitat is core of the Western Forest Complex, the last home range of rare species in the region, including Indochinese Tigers.

Very frequently asked questions about the World Heritage Sites lie upon its global importance which unfortunately, getting less recognition by local people and even people who live adjacent to the areas. In addition, there are still false understanding about wildlife conservation, both interms of ecological importance and impacts to people’s livelihoods. Here comes the need of establishing consciencesness on wildlife conservation and habitat protection, using tiger as the icon species to bring about better understanding and joint efforts to protect this globally important heritage.

The project works closely with local and international NGO and academics in developing innovative scheme that provide options with sustainable financing for the joint management of the World Heritage Sites. Communication and knowledge management on such innovative schemes require good understanding and full participation of multi stakeholders and general public.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective and Scope of Work

This assignment focuses on development of communication channel and content to inform and enhance public participation and contribution in new innovation of the project. Particular focus is on Wildlife-based Ecotourism and biodiversity finance mechanism i.e. forest carbon compensation and biodiversity offset with wildlife premium.

1. In order to achieve this purpose, followings are the objectives of this assignment:
2. To enhance better understanding about the importance of the World heritage Sites, as habitats of rare species, biodiversity and ecosystem services;
3. To create communication platform via social media that outreach wider audiences
4. To develop communication content to promote the new innovation i.e. Wildlife-based Ecotoursim to generate support from interested parties
5. To develop a knowledge platform that call for interest groups with expertise from all facets i.e. indigenous knowledge, local wisdom, scientific proof, nature interpretation, etc. in advocating support to protect this World Heritage Sites with sustainable financing mechanism.

Scope of work:

In close collaboration with the Project Manager, and project’s core team at Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), and UNDP programme officer, the consultant will undertake list of activities below:

Strategic

1. Brainstorms story ideas or themes for upcoming priority issues
2. Ensure a consistent voice and adherence to the project to the intended target audiences
3. Develop media ‘narratives’ for the project’s innovation and get coverage in traditional and social media
4. Maintain relationships with journalists, in particular environmental correspondents in BKK
5. Contribute to the identified of communication needs and solutions around the project events
6. Populating the project website, blogs, newsletter with compelling stories based on experiences gathered in the targeted sites.

Operational

1. Create, maintain, update and plan content for the project’s online platform, blog and other relevant social media channels
2. Writing and editing fact sheets, newsletters, position papers, website articles and other communications material;
3. Monitor news that are relevant to the policy and conservation work of the  project
4. Support the project in the production of communication products to be used at national level
5. Convey to media, policy-makers and other external stakeholders on the result and achievement of the project.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the followings:

Institutional Arrangement

A consultant will report to UNDP Programme Specialist, Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Unit through the Project Manager.

Duration of the Assignment

The Individual Contractor will work during the period of 1 May 2018– 31 March 2019 with maximum 100 working days. The Individual Contractor shall be paid on a Lump Sum basis.  This position does not qualify for overtime pay.

Duty Station

Bangkok with travel to project’s pilot sites.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• 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.

Technical Competencies:

• Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyse and synthesise complex, technical information;
• Proven ability to support the development of high quality knowledge and training materials, and to train technical teams;
• Proven experience in the developing country context and working in different cultural settings.

Communication:

• Communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism:

• Capable of working in a high pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Teamwork:

• Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks;
• Focuses on results for the client;
• Welcomes constructive feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

The Individual Contractor should have the following expertise and qualifications.

 I. Academic Qualifications:

• Thai National only with Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication or a closely related field or equivalent relevant work experience.

II. Experience:

• At least 15 years of experience as technical expert on journalism, communication or media with strong knowledge and background in writing, design and communication production.
• Experience in working with national and international medias.
• Broad spectrum of publications showing organization-related experiences
• Good communication and facilitation skills;
• Ability to design the social media platform, produce and publish documents as requested.

III. Language:

•             Good command of English both spoken and written.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payment :

Please indicate any special payment terms for the contract.

X  Lumpsum    

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 100 points)

Criteria 1 Relevance of Education – Max 10 points

Criteria 2 Relevant experience in Communication on environment issues, -Max 30 Points

Criteria 3 Relevant experience with the government, DNP in particular – Max 20 points

Criteria 4 Relevant experience as journalist and on media publication – Max 20 points

Criteria 5 Relevant experience with International organization Max 20 Points

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

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Candidates wishing to be considered for this assignment are required to submit the following documents to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document/ or one ZIP File as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and financial proposal using the template provided in Annex III. Note: National consultants must quote prices in Thai Baht.
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The short-listed candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified

Annexes

Annex I - TOR_ Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant

Annex II- General Condition of Contract

Annex III - Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

All documents can be downloaded at :http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=45319