Background

UNCDF works with local and central government institutions to improve the capacity of local governance institutions in planning, budgeting, public expenditure management, procurement and delivery management and other areas related to the application of development capital and other resources.

UNCDF is supporting an expanding portfolio of programmes in all regions that provide capital resources to local governance processes to enable them to meet the challenges of poverty reduction, the Millennium Development Goals and climate change. These programmes promote local level public financial management and decentralized governance responses to these challenges.

The goal of the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) is to promote climate change resilient communities and local economies by increasing investments in Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) at the local level in target countries, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the specific goals of poverty eradication (SDG1) and climate action (SDG13). The objectives are to increase local government access to climate finance to implement climate change adaptation investments in participating countries and to establish a standard and internationally recognized country-based mechanism to channel climate finance and increase local resilience through PBCRGs

LoCAL focuses on the delivery of four outputs that will directly contribute to increasing local governments’ access to climate finance and building resilience to climate change:

Output 1 – Awareness and capacities to respond to climate change adaptation at the local level are increased

Output 2 - CCA is mainstreamed into government’s planning and budgeting systems and investments are implemented in line with the PBCRG mechanism

Output 3 - The PBCRG system is effectively and sustainably established in participating countries and leads to an increased amount of CCA finance available to local government and local economy

Output 4: The role of local authorities and of the PBCRGS in addressing climate change are increasingly recognized at international level, through outreach, learning and quality assurance

The LoCAL approach entails into capacity building of local governments and operates through Performance Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG).

LoCAL works in three phases.

Phase I: Following scoping, the first phase entails testing in a small number (2-4) of local governments. Phase I has a budget of USD 300,000 per year. It can include co-financing from government or other partners. Phase I introduces the Performance-Based Climate Resilient Grant (PBCRG) over one or two fiscal cycles; it tests the minimum conditions and performance measures of the PBCRG and the relevance of the menu of investments (eligible adaptation measures). It provides the necessary experience and lessons for the refinement of the approach and the design of phase II in conjunction with the appropriate national authorities and partners.

Phase II: Phase II takes place in around 5 to 10 of local governments (of the appropriate tier) in a country. Phase II is usually financed by UNCDF together with financing partners and has generally a budget of USD 3,5 to USD 10 million. Funding can come directly through the LoCAL project or through parallel financing if government or other development partners make resources available to the LoCAL methodology, with TA and QA by UNCDF. The purpose of this phase is to demonstrate the effectiveness of LoCAL and create the conditions for a full national rollout of the approach.

Phase III: Phase III consist of a full national rollout of the PBCRG in the country based on the results and lessons of the previous phases. It is gradually extended to all local governments (of the appropriate tier). Phase III is expected to be financed by central government through a re-adjustment of the architecture of existing resources to enable financing of local adaptation, as well as through financing from international organizations, financing institutions and funds such as the Green Climate Fund.

The LoCAL initiative is currently on-going in 13 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali , Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Tuvalu, Tanzania and The Gambia). Programmes are under preparation in Uganda and Ivory coast with more countries expected to join the initiative in 2019-2022.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is to solicit bids from individuals interested in serving as Multi-Media Communications consultant to demonstrate the effectiveness of the LoCAL approach in addressing the impact of climate change on local communities. 

Working under the direct supervision of the UNCDF LoCAL Programme Manager (Global a.i) or designate(s) from UNCDF LoCAL Programme Manager (Global a.i) and in close collaboration with the governments and UNCDF, the Multi-Media Communications consultant will provide professional service to UNCDF to document and publicize through high-quality print, web and audiovisual media the effectiveness of LoCAL in addressing the impact of climate change on local communities and in building the climate change resilient of local government in LoCAL Countries.

This assignment includes to provide expertise in area of multimedia tools and applications, deploy information management,  document and publicize through high-quality print, web and audiovisual media the effectiveness of LoCAL in addressing the impact of climate change on local communities and in building the climate change resilient of local government. The consultant will also develop a repository of media, photos and videos related to LoCAL country projects

Scope of Work

As the programme spreads across regions and expands, it is important to collect and document experiences, lessons learned, good practices, outputs, outcomes and impact of the projects in the pilot countries. It’s also important to communicate and disseminate the findings in high-quality accessible communication and knowledge materials suitable for as background information on the project as well as to raise awareness, build understanding of the approach and share experiences with existing and new participating countries, development partners and the international community at large. The deliverables of this consultancy will be used to support of LoCAL national capacity in monitoring and evaluation of the portfolio and use the collected data to measure effectiveness and efficiency of local climate resilient investments.

The Multi-Media Communications consultant will be responsible for providing support on the following areas:

• Responsible for all aspects requiring a technical knowledge of web page design;
• Identify climate change adaptation websites (in addition to UNCDF in-house websites) on which LoCAL material could be placed, and determine the format requirements for material to be posted on these sites;
• Assist UNCDF to place materials on suitable UNCDF and non-UNCDF websites;
• Carry out fieldwork, take high quality pictures suitable for web and print publishing, in-depth and video interviews with key stakeholders including local administrators at the village, district and provincial level, community leaders, citizens in the selected communities, representatives of key donors, and UNCDF officials;
• Film the LoCAL events and undertake video interviews with key participants at the events for website
• Update the online databases of LoCAL programmes and investments including one on-line to be included on the LoCAL website;
• Collect materials and develop a database and library of programme outputs (ex. reports, assessments, photos, videos, press releases, press articles, communication products);
• Supports social media initiatives;

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

The consulting engagement with UNCDF is expected to start as of August 1st, 2019, or such other date as is mutually agreed upon by the parties.

Duration:  The assignment, under this Framework Agreement (On Call basis), is expected to have a maximum duration of 3 years. The initial contract would be for one year with an option for renewal in subsequent years upon project needs, availability of funds and satisfactory performance of the consultants.   The duration of each call-off shall be clearly indicated in the TOR that supports the PO that signals the call-off.

Duty station:  be Home-based with possible travel to countries where UNCDF LoCAL in Africa, Asia and Pacific.  The schedule/duration of travel will be negotiated with the consultant according to the requirements of each programme country.

Travel costs associated to the assignment will be advanced by the consultants, and paid by UNCDF on a reimbursement basis, and following the UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations which states that consultants shall only be paid the most direct and most economical ticket, as will be quoted by the official UN travel agency.  Any amount in excess of the said quotation, such as class and airline preference of the consultant, shall be borne by the consultant. The daily living allowance will be paid as per UN Rate prevailing on the city/ies of destination, and may be paid before or after the travel, and only upon submission of appropriate supporting documents.   All other expenses outside of these items shall be on the account of the consultant

Information of the Contract Modality:

The successful individuals under this RFP will enter into a non-exclusive Framework Agreement, also known as Long-Term Agreement (LTA) to perform the services as described in the TORs on a need basis.

LTA is a framework agreement by and between UNCDF and a company or individual where the latter may, at any time within the duration of the LTA, be required to render the agreed services at the agreed and fixed unit prices. An LTA can be valid for a minimum period of 12 months, with potential extension for up to 2 additional years, depending on satisfactory performance of the individual or the company.  An LTA specifies the unit price, scope of work, allowing for a framework agreement to be used when the services are needed. 

An LTA does not imply a financial commitment from UNCDF. LTA does not form a financial obligation nor commitment from UNCDF at the time the LTA contract is signed.  The LTA shall have a cumulative ceiling amount that may accrue to the individual contractor during the life of the LTA, but said amount shall remain as an upper limit, and must not and cannot be interpreted nor understood as neither a financial commitment nor guarantee of business volume.  It is important to note that, under an LTA, UNCDF does not guarantee that any specific quantity of services shall be made during the term of this agreement. 

When a request for service arises, and within the scope of the LTA, UNCDF can engage the individual or company holding an LTA through a “call-off” of the LTA.   Every call-off shall have specific TORs which includes tasks, scope of services and outputs to be delivered within a specific period of time. For this particular process, the call-off shall be formalized through the issuance of a Purchase Order, attaching thereto the TOR, and any other document relevant to the call-off.  Financial commitments will only be established each time a Purchase Order for the specific services/TOR for Individual Contractor is issued.

As a result, the consultant under this position will be engaged on as needed based consulting basis, as and when called upon to do so by UNCDF LoCAL Programme Manager (Global a.i) or designate(s) from UNCDF LoCAL Programme Manager (Global a.i), at an agreed upon “daily rate” and “number of days” per an agreed TORs for each call-off.

Final Products

The deliverables of the assignment will be high standard of knowledge and communication services and products including:

1. Databases of LoCAL programmes and LoCAL investments including an online database to be included on the LoCAL website;
2. Country fact sheets and stories from the field and case studies materials edited in format suitable for web-page publication and other dissemination means;
3. High quality photos from the field that can be used for website and other communication product;
4. Video segments of length 1-3 minutes each covering LoCAL, country  programmes, and events including individual interviews, with sub-titles where needed and of suitable size to be made available by download from a website or for presentation at conference events, in both UN officials languages (English and French);
5. Up-to-date LoCAL brochure and new knowledge and communication materials, with latest developments and findings;
6. An updated and well maintained LoCAL website  (aligned with UNCDF website), illustrated, with pictures, videos, news, events and stories, with content which can feed into a e-newsletter, in English and French;
7. A database and library of programme outputs (ex. reports, assessments, photos, videos, press releases, press articles, communication products)
8. A short factual report documenting the activities carried out by the consultants and any lessons learned which may be of use to UNCDF/ LoCAL in undertaking similar initiatives in the future.

Copyright

All products and reports related to the assignment and mission will be provided to UNCDF and be subject to associated copyrights. The contractor will not use, without prior permission of UNCDF, any the materials or data produced during the assignment for any other purpose than furnishing UNCDF with a project delivery. Any use or reference to the information contained within the presented mission documents must be prior clarified and approved by UNCDF and clearly reference UNCDF as the source.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls

The consultant will perform tasks in collaboration with UNCDF country teams, and report to the LoCAL Project Manager and under guidance of Partnership and Communications Specialist (UNCDF/HQ).

Deliverables shall be submitted to the LoCAL Project Manager.

The payments will be made to the Consultant within each mission will be phased and payment will be made against key deliverables based on the completion of the deliverables indicated in the TOR.

Payments will be authorized by the LoCAL Project Manager.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

Knowledge of producing and editing development communications products using a variety of media.

• Knowledge of Communications in area of International Development Sector
• Knowledge of production of photos, short video segments, writing and producing knowledge and communication products, and managing a website and databases.
• Strong analytical skills to process qualitative information
• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNCDF with understanding in area of climate change

Management Competencies

• Pursues creativity and innovation;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with peers and external actors;
• Works as part of a team with required flexibility, mutual support and feed-back.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in a relevant subject. Master’s level is preferred.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in producing and editing development communications products in a variety of media including but not limited to the production of communications materials, publications, outreach materials and multimedia products.
• At least 5 years’ experience in the usage of web and social media management tools, and audio/video production tools is required
• Proven experience in collaborating with media and various international development partners.
• Expertise in production of short video segments;
• Expertise in production of publicity materials for web page publication;
• Proven Previous experience and understanding of local development, preferably in climate change issues;
• Proven Previous experience in the fields of international development, NGOs, UN Agencies environment.
• Knowledge of the context of rural LDCs in Asia and/or Africa
• Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.

Language:

Fluency in both English and French is required. Only candidates with Fluency in both English and French in Writing, Speaking and listening will be shortlisted.