Background

Project Description 

The Programme Criticality (PC) Framework is a common United Nations system policy for decision-making on acceptable risk. It is closely linked to the United Nations security risk management (SRM) process to determine levels of acceptable security risk for programmes and mandated activities implemented by UN personnel. It is a key mechanism to enable the UN to stay and deliver the most critical programmes and mandated activities even at high or very high security risk. The PC Framework is implemented as a mandatory policy of the Organization in environments of high or very high security risk. ?The determination of the PC level for specific United Nations activities within a given geographic location and timeframe is done through a PC assessment. All UN entities whose personnel operate in high or very-high risk areas are required to participate in a PC assessment and to use its results in day-to-day decision-making on acceptable security risk. Accountability for the conduct of the PC assessment rests with the senior most UN official in country (SRSG/Head of Mission in mission setting, RC in non-mission setting).

At HQ level, the inter-agency Programme Criticality Coordination Team (PCCT)[1] and the Programme Criticality Secretariat (housed in UNDP) provide day-to-day operational support and advice to UN country presences in conducting PC assessments and implementing its results. The PCCT and the PC Secretariat are the main points of contact for United Nations teams and senior leaders on Programme Criticality. They are responsible for providing support, guidance and quality assurance to United Nations country presences in the implementation of this Programme Criticality Framework.

Based on the recommendations of the 2017 lessons learned study on Programme Criticality, a priority of the PCCT in 2018 is to further strengthen communications and outreach across the UN system to ensure improved awareness and understanding of Programme Criticality

[1] The PCCT is currently co-chaired by UNDP and ??UNFPA; other members are FAO, DOCO, DPA, DPKO-DFS, OCHA, UNDSS, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO. The PC Secretariat is currently housed in UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The consultant will support the development and improvement of a variety of outreach and educational materials. This will include technical aspects related to the design of communications products as well as substantive content development. In addition, the consultant will be asked to support and backstop the PC Secretariat in day-to-day tasks, in particular with regard to knowledge management functions.

Expected Outputs / Deliverables:                 

The consultant will support the development or improvement of outreach, guidance and educational materials on Programme Criticality, including:

• A brochure on Programme Criticality and other educational material.
• A short animated video, explaining Programme Criticality (in collaboration with a video production company);
• Video messages/testimonials and webinars with practitioners and other audiovisual outreach material intended for UN field presences and a broader audience (in collaboration with a video production company).
• Content and visual upgrades to the Programme Criticality website (in collaboration with a web designer);
• Further develop training materials on Programme Criticality for different audiences
• Coordinate the translation of education material into French, Spanish and Arabic.

Additional deliverables may include:

• Overhaul of existing PowerPoint presentations and existing material & development of a training suite for tabletop exercises on Programme Criticality (together with an adult learning expert).

Further routine tasks may include:

• Help to organize Programme Criticality briefing sessions and webinars for UN entities as requested.
• Provide backstopping support to the Programme Criticality Secretariat as required, including coordinating the deployment of PC facilitation support teams, and in fulfilling knowledge management tasks such managing the content of the Programme Criticality website and database and administering the Yammer network on Programme Criticality.

• Support the preparation and documentation of meetings of the Programme Criticality Coordination Team and Programme Criticality Steering Group. Follow up on pending action points.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Institutional Arrangement

• The consultant will be based in the UNDP Crisis Response Unit in New York and will report to the Programme Specialist (PC Secretariat) in the UNDP Crisis Response Unit.
• The consultant will be expected to work with external contractors to complete some of the deliverables, as outlined above. The consultant will be expected to work and coordinate with other UN entities who are engaged in the Programme Criticality Coordination Team.

Duration of the Work

The consultancy is full-time for a period of 4 months (88 working days), with the possibility of extension.

Duty Station / Location

UNDP Crisis Response Unit, New York – Office-based.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Leadership

• Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
• Creates new opportunities for team, not just self to learn and take on new responsibilities
• Actively shares knowledge

Communication:

• Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

• Communicates ideas and positions with command and confidence
• Finds common ground to solve problemsInnovation.

Innovation:

• Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
• Critically assesses established methods
• Contributes to prototyping, piloting, and evaluating lessons / feedback

People Management

• Models independent thinking and action
• Demonstrates behaviors of teamwork, collaboration, knowledge sharing, maintaining relationships

Delivery

• Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services
• Embraces complex challenges and opportunities for getting work done
• Ability to embrace challenges with minimal supervision ? Works to develop organizational awareness of UNDP’s approach to client service delivery and integrity and accountability

Functional Competencies:

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in relevant areas;

Knowledge Management:

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Graphic Design:

• Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products

Multimedia writing/editing:

• Originating and/or editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets 

UN System & Organizational Awareness:

• Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Working in Teams:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues across the UN system at field level and HQ.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Communications Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Professional Education, Development Studies, Humanitarian Affairs or other relevant field;
• An undergraduate degree and at least four years of relevant work experience are acceptable in lieu of a Master’s Degree.

Relevant experience

• At least two years of professional experience in communications and/or in designing written and audiovisual communications and outreach products, and/or training material;
• Demonstrated video editing skills;
• Direct work or consulting experience with the United Nations at country-level or Headquarters and in supporting UN inter-agency processes is a strong asset;
• Demonstrated interest in UN field operations in fragile and conflict-affected settings;
• Previous knowledge of Programme Criticality and/or UN Security Risk Management would be an asset;
• Proven ability to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards;
• Proven ability to work in a multicultural setting.

Language requirements

• Excellent command of the English language, both written and oral;
• Very good knowledge of either French, Spanish or Arabic would be an asset.

Application procedure

Application is a two-step process:

STEP 1

Qualified applicants are requested to apply online via this website. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications (note: all documents must be compiled into one file to be uploaded as part of the online application):

• Cover letter explaining why the candidate is the most suitable for the assignment; and
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.

STEP 2

Financial Proposal

After review of applications, shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be contacted by UNDP and requested to submit a Financial Proposal:

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee base on TOR deliverables for 88 working days;
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
• If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be submitted by email as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, so please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

The consultant’s offer will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%;

Technical qualifications (Weight 70%)

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

Criteria for the desk review:

• Relevance of education to the position; Weight=10%; (7 points)

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience (with a Master’s Degree) or 4 years of relevant professional experience (with an undergraduate degree), in developing communications and/or in designing written and audiovisual communications and outreach products, and/or training material. Weight=50%; (35 points)
• Demonstrated video editing skills and/or multimedia / web design skills. =20%; (14 points)
• Direct work or consulting experience with the United Nations at country-level or Headquarters and in supporting UN inter-agency processes is a strong asset. Demonstrated interest in UN field operations in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Weight=20% (14 points)

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP may invite shortlisted candidates for an interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation

Financial Offer (Weight 30%) (30 points)