Background

Promoting sustainable development is one of the priority areas of UNDP in Ukraine. Effective production and use of energy and the overall state of the environment are essential for sustainable human development. Climate change, depletion of the ozone layer, loss of biodiversity, land degradation and access to clean and affordable energy are global challenges that cannot be successfully tackled without actions at the local level.

To maximize Ukraine’s economic potential and protect its natural resource base, UNDP aims to assist the Government, communities and the private sector to plan and manage a low carbon, energy-efficient economy, ensuring equitable access to resources, particularly for marginalized groups.

Programme interventions are guided by environmental and social assessments to avoid adverse impact and address the environmental risks of Chernobyl-contaminated areas, conflict-affected areas, industrial regions, land erosion and waste management.

Through dedicated policy advocacy and capacity building interventions, UNDP supports the national government in aligning Ukraine’s Sustainable Development Strategy with national policies and promoting climate-resilient policies to achieve green economic development.

UNDP provides policy advice and technical assistance to the national and regional authorities on addressing barriers that hinder the implementation of Ukraine’s energy efficiency strategy. Harnessing its convening power, UNDP aims to bring together the Government, private sector, CSOs and communities to debate policy settings and scale up proven solutions for promoting energy efficiency, use of renewables and biodiversity, turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities.

UNDP in Ukraine provides assistance in the following key areas: climate change, energy and energy efficiency; sustainable development; chemicals; biodiversity; international waters management; and disaster risk reduction and emergencies.

In addition, poverty reduction, as UNDP signature solution, will be applied to assist with transitions and structural shifts including economic diversification, investing in new technologies, including those that help reduce emissions, supporting climate policies that are critical for sustainable poverty reduction and sustainable development.

UNDP Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Portfolio consists of 7 projects financed by the following international donor partners: Global Environment Facility (GEF), Sweden, European Union and Global Water Challenge (GWC). Notably, other projects and programmes focusing on sustainable development and poverty reduction (including the engagement of the private sector) will be part of the Portfolio.

UNDP is seeking to hire a Media Monitoring Consultant to support the Portfolio with monitoring of its awareness-raising and outreach efforts, as well as the media landscape.

Media monitoring is essential to better understand the media coverage of development issues, to follow media trends in the areas of interest, and identify the development issues of the highest interest for Ukrainian readership/viewers. As media monitoring makes an integral part of projects’ progress and annual reports, the targeted media monitoring for UNDP projects and specific topics is also envisaged.

A deeper knowledge of media landscape and thematic context will also allow UNDP to plan its response in efficient and timely manner, including assessing potential reputation risks and planning response scenarios, as well as to perform comparative analysis, if need be. 

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of the assignment is to conduct media monitoring and analysis, and to develop media monitoring reports about key media stories related to the work of the Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Portfolio, thematic media reports, press clipping reports, and other related reporting and analytical materials.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme Coordinator the Consultant will carry out the following activities:

3.1. Review the background documents provided by UNDP to obtain a better understanding of the goals and context in order to tailor the planned reports to portfolio priorities. Develop monthly and quarterly detailed work plan identifying timelines, activities, priorities and deliverables in consultation with UNDP and submit to UNDP for approval.

3.2. Perform weekly, monthly and quarterly media monitoring reports on the major Ukrainian national and regional media outlets (printed and online, including but not limited to daily and weekly newspapers, news agencies, think tanks, online news websites, radio and TV stations), as well as social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other), that mention UNDP, its activities and key issues of interest for the Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Portfolio. All reports should include the information outlined below in the Media Report Format, but not limited to it:

• Title (original and translated into English)
• Top topics over the covered period
• News extracts with links
• Source (name of media; type of media (TV, printed edition, webpage, news agency, think tank, Facebook/Twitter account, YouTube); type of material (article/opinion/report/analysis); reach; engagements
• Date published
• The tone of coverage (positive, neutral, or negative)
• Relevant topics (keywords), as agreed with UNDP
• Relevant indicators, as agreed with UNDP
• Infographics, including comparison infographics, illustrating dynamics of specific topics and relevant media trends

Weekly reports should be prepared in Ukrainian. Monthly and quarterly reports should be prepared in Ukrainian and English.

3.3. Prepare monthly and quarterly press clipping reports, which will include supporting electronic copies and scanned copies of all the materials mentioned in the media monitoring report for the period.

3.4. Prepare thematic media reports upon projects requests. Media reports for projects should be thematically categorized by the relevant subtopics and a set of indicators will be developed for each project accordingly. Thematic media reports may also include event coverage monitoring reports.

3.5. Identify and promptly alert UNDP on any potential crisis situations in media.

3.6. Prepare presentations, infographics and statistics describing the coverage of identified topics, general media dynamic and trends in the areas of interest for UNDP, and comparative analysis of results vis-a-vis the previous reporting periods (monthly, quarterly reports).

3.7. Provide UNDP with any other media monitoring support as requested and agreed in monthly/quarterly work plans.

3.8. Develop a final report covering the whole assignment, followed with all relevant Annexes with all outputs produced.

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with UNDP regarding all aspects of the assignment;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to UNDP as requested;
• Hold consultations with UNDP as requested.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in this Terms of Reference as follows: 

• 15% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 1-2 as per TOR.
• 15% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverable 3 as per TOR.
• 20% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 4 as per TOR.
• 15% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 5 as per TOR.
• 15% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 6 as per TOR.
• 20% of contract total value will be paid upon completion of the Deliverables 7-8 as per TOR.

Deliverables will be monitored and certified by the UNDP Programme Coordinator.

MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The consultant will interact with UNDP staff to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. On a day-to-day basis, the consultant’s work will be coordinated with UNDP Programme Coordinator (Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment). Each deliverable will be delivered in draft for comments and feedback before finalization.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). The language of the reports is Ukrainian and English.

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;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant should possess the following qualifications, experience and skills:

Educational background:

• At least Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, Political Science, Development, International Relations, Linguistics or other relevant studies.

Professional Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in media monitoring/clipping, PR efficiency monitoring, journalism and/or communications or similar.
• Proven record of successful delivery of media monitoring/clipping services, evidenced with samples of at least 2 relevant previously prepared media monitoring reports.
• Excellent writing skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize inputs and relevant findings (proven with samples of at least 2 previously prepared or co-authored presentations, infographics, articles or documents).
• Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors would be an asset.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian and English is required.

?DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS:

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

Financial proposal

 Lump-sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).  

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be covered by the Consultant and included in the financial proposal. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation criteria

Educational Background:

• Educational background – 7 points max

(At least Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, Political Science, Development, International Relations, Linguistics or other relevant studies)

{7 pts – Specialist/Master’s degree in the relevant field; 5 pts – Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field}

Professional Experience:

• Relevant work experience – 15 points max

(At least 3 years of experience in media monitoring/clipping, PR efficiency monitoring, journalism and/or communications or similar)

{15 pts – 7 years and more; 12 pts – 5-6 years; 10 pts – 3-4 years)

• Media monitoring/clipping skills – 10 points max

(Proven record of successful delivery of media monitoring/clipping services)

{up to 10 pts – more than 3 previously prepared media monitoring reports provided; 7 pts – 2 previously prepared media monitoring reports provided}

• Writing skills – 10 points max

(Excellent writing skills with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize inputs and relevant findings)

{up to 10 pts – more than 3 previously prepared presentations, infographics, articles or documents provided which demonstrate analytical skills, ability to articulate and synthesize relevant findings, etc ; 7 pts – 2 previously prepared presentations, infographics, articles or documents provided which demonstrate analytical skills, ability to articulate and synthesize relevant findings, etc}

• Experience working with international organizations – 3 points max

(Previous relevant experience with UNDP, other UN Agency, international organizations or donors would be an asset)

{3 pts – has experience working with mentioned institutions; 0 pts – no experience}

Language skills:

• Language Skills – 5 points max

(Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian and English is required)

{5 pts – Fluency in English and Ukrainian/Russian}.

Methodology and tools:

• Methodology and tools, their appropriateness to the assignment– 20 points max

(brief methodology on how the work will be conducted and/or approached, including information on the software to be used for generating media reports using the keywords)

{Basic methodology developed with an understanding of the nature and scope of tasks, the approach logically describes a sequence of works and addresses the important aspects of tasks in sufficient detail – up to 15 points;
The advanced methodology developed which includes additional thorough criteria and demonstrates that the chosen approach will ensure effective implementation of tasks – up to 20 points}.

Maximum available technical score - 70 points.

Evaluation method

 Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

Additional requirements for the recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination shall be paid by the consultant.

The BSAFE online security training course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of the contract.