Background
The conflict in Syria has caused the largest displacement of people in recent times and has severely strained the economic and social systems and related institutions in neighboring countries. The absence of a prospect for a positive solution to the Syrian crisis and the significant influx of refugees brought substantial stress to the hosting societies and communities.
The multifaceted nature of the conflict has challenged standard conflict resolution mechanisms as well as traditional responses to protracted crisis. How the countries in the region cope with the lengthening conflict in Syria and the unprecedented demographic shock and what can be done to improve international burden sharing are therefore questions of regional and international concern.
Host communities and host countries are faced with many challenges and questions about how to cope with the situations they face. Whether living in formal or informal shelters and housing, or hosted by the community, many refugees are suffering from the loss of income, loss of productive means and disrupted livelihoods. Host communities and other affected communities may face pressure on services, the local economy, and rule of law. Given the signs that refugee populations are unlikely to be able to return safely to their homes or new settlement areas in Syria in the near future, national and international partners have started exploring alternative scenarios to effectively address the long-term impact of the unprecedented demographic shock.
Since 2015, Sub-Regional Response Facility (SRF) has developed a resilience-based development response to improve sub-regional coordination, enhance cost-effectiveness, and harmonize a comprehensive multi-country response under the leadership of Syria’s neighbouring governments– Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, combined, accommodate 99 per cent of the 5.6 million refugees resulting from the crisis.
As co-lead and custodian of resilience component for the Regional Refugee and Response Plan (3RP) at the regional level, the SRF conducts policy research, promote innovative practices, appeal funding at international donor conferences and extract best practices from the 3RP partners.
Project Description
The main outcome of the consultancy is to ensure the quality of publications (edits in English and Arabic and design) produced by the SRF, 3RP social media inputs, to assist organizing the conference/workshops/events and outreach donors, support the implementation of the research conducted by the SRF, and to prepare minutes and fund-raising documents for the 3RP and SRF.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the Supervision of the Policy and Crisis Coordination Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for ensuring that publications produced, and social media posted by the SRF are up to the UNDP standard and facilitate in organizing workshops/events (including support to identifying and hiring consultants who are facilitating/contributing to the workshop). S/he will also prepare background notes/briefing notes for donor outreach and draft minutes from meetings with 3RP partners.
Deliverables and results:
- Prepare and execute a communications strategy to raise maximum awareness and public engagement with upcoming the SRF activities, including but not limited to the UNHCR-UNDP Joint Secretariat Innovation4Crisis events (I4C); Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Brussels III (3RP launch) as well as emerging topics such as Returns and Reintegration.
- Co-manage 3RP social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).
- Manage the design and development of the I4C Compendium website and mobile application as well as SRF/JS website within UNDP.
- Assist in organizing workshops in the region for the SRF for the above events and other 3RP related workshops (such as country directors’ meeting, M&E workshop, 3RP launch etc.).
- Draft meeting minutes of the workshops/meetings.
- Draft and prepare briefing notes/reports for donors and UNDP Liaison Offices.
- Review and proof-read English and Arabic documents and the design of the publications produced by the SRF.
- Provide support to consultants who are contributing to the workshop/conducting research for the SRF.
- Support the team in implementing research/studies such as drafting TOR and Concept Notes as well as following up with deliverables with consultants.
Competencies
Corporate competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the United Nations
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies
- In-depth knowledge on development and humanitarian issues;
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
- Capable of working in a high-pressure work environment with frequent urgent deadlines;
- Ability to multi-task;
- Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
- High level logical and methodical organizational skills;
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint development programs and projects, mobilize resources.
Management and Leadership
- Focuses on impact and result for the client
- Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines
- Demonstrates openness to change
- Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in media relations, journalism, development studies, international relations or related studies;
Professional Experience:
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience with a proven professional record in working in the field of media and communications, with media channels and online communications platforms;
- At least 2 years of experience in organizing international workshops/conferences with multi-stakeholders;
- Experience in editing English and Arabic as well as design of publications:
- At least 1 year experience in supporting programme implementation such as drafting TORs, concept notes, following up with deliverables;
- Prior experience working with humanitarian and/or development issues;
- Working experience in the Middle East;
Language Skills:
- Fluency in English, and Arabic language is required
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Candidates that fail to submit the required information will not be considered.
- Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
- 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;
- Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the table given in section D. template provided.
All necessary information including: Complete Procurement Notice, The Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement http://procurement-notices.undp.org/
Interested candidate shall apply the CV/P11 to Job advertisement website, hence consultant should submit to email: Proc.contract.rscjo@undp.org : not later than Tuesday 29 December, 2018 the following documents:
- CV/P11
- Confirm availability and financial proposal
- Brief description of why you consider yourself as the most suitable for the assignment
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Interested candidates should provide lump sum fees for requested services with detailed breakdown (consultancy fees, round travel tickets, travel cost, living allowances during the missions., etc.) as per travel plan above
Travel Plan;
if unforeseen travel outside the duty station not required by the Terms of References is required by UNDP, and upon prior written agreement, such travel shall be at the UNDP’s expense and the individual contractor shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other locations.
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.
In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
Step I: Screening and desk review:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.
Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in media relations, journalism, development studies, international relations or related studies;
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience with a proven professional record in working in the field of media and communications, with media channels and online communications platforms;
- Fluency in English and Arabic.
Shortlisted Candidates will be then assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria.
Evaluation of Candidates (max 100 points):
- At least 3 years of work experience in the field of media and communications, including social media for public information/advocacy; 20%
- At least 2 years of experience in organizing international workshops/conferences with multi-stakeholders; 20%
- Experience in editing English and Arabic as well as design of publications:20%
- At least 1 year experience in supporting programme implementation such as drafting TORs, concept notes, following up with deliverables: 15%
- Prior experience working with humanitarian and/or development issues; 10%
- Experience working in the Middle East; 15%.
Step II: Final evaluation
The final evaluation will combine the scores of desk review and financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:
- Shortlisting: 70%;
- Financial proposal: 30%