UNDP Jobs - 88011- Strategic Communications Consultant

Strategic Communications Consultant

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated December 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 188 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Launched at the United Nations in 2008, the Business Call to Action (BCtA) aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by challenging companies to develop inclusive business models that engage people at the base of the economic pyramid (BoP) – people with less than US$8 per day in purchasing power – as consumers, producers, suppliers and distributors of goods and services.

The BCtA is a unique multilateral alliance among donor governments – including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the UK Department for International Development (DFID, the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency (SDC), and with the United Nations Development Programme, which hosts the secretariat.

Over 240 companies, ranging from multinationals to social enterprises, and working in 70 countries, have responded to the BCtA by committing to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions in developing countries through access to markets, financial services, affordable healthcare, water and sanitation, education and other critical services. BCtA member companies are market leaders that provide examples of successful, profitable and scalable models for reaching poor communities and contributing to global development.

The Communication Consultant will work under the supervision of the Deputy Team Lead, Knowledge, Partnerships and Country Support.

Duties and Responsibilities

As part of its mission, BCtA is looking for a communications consultant. The consultant will provide technical expertise and advisory services to ensure the updating and implementation of comprehensive BCtA communications strategy. The approval of all deliverables and instructions for all activities shall come from the Deputy Team Lead, Knowledge, Partnerships and Country Support in coordination with the BCtA programme manager.

The following areas are considered to be within the scope of this consultancy:

Strategic Communications and Content Development

Provide technical advice, update and support the implementation of the BCtA Communications Strategy;
With the oversight of the BCtA team, maintain a Communications Toolkit consisting of standard, re-branded templates targeting different BCtA audiences (member companies, prospective members per company category, donor governments and programme partners); as well as Communications and Events SOPs for BCtA events, collateral and logo usage, branding, marketing, and media outreach;
Provide advice on BCtA brand positioning, website, social media channels, collateral and other materials;
Based on inputs from the BCtA team, create relevant content including: 4 quarterly newsletters and ad-hoc mailings; A minimum of 40-member press releases/other products to support BCtA company announcements; - A minimum of 56 pieces of strategic content (BoP impact stories, blogs or op-eds featuring BCtA work, the work of member companies, donors and/or partners); Speeches/talking points for BCtA events and speaking opportunities;
Support the promotion and distribution of key BCtA knowledge management, research and reporting products, such as reports, online Impact Measurement Hub, case studies and more.

Media Management including Media Partnerships

Provide communication advice and support for reputational management in line with UNDP policies and guidelines;
Improve BCtA’s media coverage by developing a media engagement strategy and updating target media lists comprised of a comprehensive database of journalists, writers, and high-profile contributors. Advise on and reach out to key media at the global and country levels, advocating on key issues at the core of BCtA’s mandate, raising awareness of BCtA and its company initiatives, and increasing BCtA’s external presence on media outlets;
Identify and support opportunities to create visibility for BCtA through its partner network, high-level Champions, relevant events and partnerships with like-minded organizations, business networks, UN and academic institutions;
Manage an active pipeline of content for the BCtA media platforms with 3BL Media and Guardian microsite, including overseeing production of 20 pieces of content annually for the Guardian.
Assist daily media monitoring by scanning online media for relevant news, interviews and articles mentioning of BCtA member companies and relevant topics.

Website Content Management and Social Media Campaigns

Design and implement a web content management strategy that increases audience traffic to and engagement with the BCtA public facing website. Ensure it is regularly updated with quality, creative multimedia content including new member profiles, press releases, videos, human impact stories, events, reports, blogs, briefs. Ensure website member portal and full website backend technically maintained with support from technical experts;
Design and implement a social media strategy to increase audience volume and engagement with BCtA social media accounts. Ensure updated daily with quality content showcasing BCtA member company achievements and inclusive business thought leadership, generating follower engagement and increasing overall number of followers; engage BCtA staff and the online community according to specific targets, Communications Calendar, and outreach agreed with the deputy team lead and programme manager;
As part of this strategy, design and deliver online communications campaigns, including for priority BCtA issues and themes, BCtA General Assembly Annual Event/s, BCtA Phase III delivery, and other activities such as events and publications;

Events

Provide communications advice and support to BCtA Annual Event/s taking place in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, including thorough outreach communications in the run-up and post-event; and generating media coverage of the event;
Provide media and communications support to additional global, regional and national events including press releases, media engagement, social media campaigns, and outreach communications pre-and post-event.

The consultant shall support the BCtA Secretariat in other communications/knowledge management tasks that may arise during the assignment period. The consultant shall be ready to undertake international travel on behalf of the Secretariat if required. The consultant will work closely with the communications office of UNDP as well as the other partners of the BCtA in implementing this assignment.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Team Lead:

Draft/revise and implement BCtA communication strategy 2019/2020.
Produce strategic content (40 press releases, 20 microsite pieces, 40 blogs, news pieces and other content) including content for media partnerships: 3BL media distribution and Guardian microsite in partnership with BCtA members and partners.
Produce and disseminate BCtA quarterly newsletters.
Develop creative and impactful communication materials to disseminate and promote the work of BCtA and its members.
Drive BCtA social media presence.
Assist in the preparation and provide quality assurance for slides, presentation materials, briefing notes, surveys, and knowledge products for internal and external audience;
Support team members in communicating better BCtA tools and services.
Submit a comprehensive report, as instructed by the Deputy Team Lead;
Undertake travel, as required by the BcTA team. Travel costs will be borne by UNDP and consultant expressly accepts UNDP travel policies.
Participate in project meetings, as required;

Many of the activities in this consultancy are ongoing. To this end, the consultant shall prepare a monthly progress report that will detail all milestones reached both qualitative and quantitative, including but not limited the performance of BCtA thought leadership, press releases, media partnerships (3BL and Guardian) and newsletters. The Deputy Team Lead and BCTA Programme Manager shall review and accept these reports, and the Programme Manager certify them for payment.

Description of deliverables Target delivery dates Payment schedule

Monthly Progress Report 1 - 1 month after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 2 - 2 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 3 - 3 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 4 - 4 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 5 - 5 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 6 - 6 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 7 - 7 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 8 - 8 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Monthly Progress Report 9 - 9 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount
Final report - 10 months after contract signature - 10% of total amount

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

A Master degree in communications, marketing, international affairs, public policy, journalism, or other relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum of 4 years of relevant national/international working experience in the area of communications, of which minimum 1 year should include communications experience in the area of business and development;
Demonstrated experience in communicating inclusive business or responsible business work tailored to different audiences is a distinct advantage;
Previous experience working with UN/UNDP or similar organisations on projects in the area of communications/PR;
Proven record of producing articles, blogs and communications products using software, online platforms and CMS (i.e. InDesign/Photoshop, MailChimp or other HTML editors, Drupal/WordPress, Vizualize and other infographic makers). At least 3 samples of previous work must be provided;
Demonstrated experience in social media management and monitoring: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Hootsuite, Union Metric, etc.

Language skills:

Fluency in English is required (written and verbal);
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required.
Working knowledge of other UNDP working languages, (French or Spanish) is an advantage.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11/CV and cover letter desk review and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the desk review will be invited for an interview.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A – Relevant national/international working experience in the area of communications including in business and development - max 8 points
Criteria B - Demonstrated experience in communicating inclusive business or responsible business work tailored to different audiences is a distinct advantage - max 3 point;
Criteria C - Demonstrated experience in social media management and monitoring: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Hootsuite, Union Metric, etc - max 3 point.
Criteria D – Previous experience working with UN/UNDP or similar organisations on projects in the area of communications/PR - max 3 point;
Criteria E - Proven record of producing articles, blogs and communications products using software, online platforms and CMS (i.e. InDesign/Photoshop, MailChimp or other HTML editors, Drupal/WordPress, Vizualize and other infographic makers). At least 3 samples of previous work must be provided with links- max points: 6;
Criteria F - Methodology (evaluation of the brief approach on how the candidate would approach and conduct the activities (shall be uploaded by the applicant during online application) - max points: 3.
Criteria G – Interview Criteria - Language skills, communication skills and technical knowledge - max points: 9;

Please ensure that your experience related to criteria A-F and above-mentioned competencies is very well documented in your P11/CV and cover letter.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation (max points 15).

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in Criteria A, B, C, D, E and F will be considered for the Interview; and only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in the Interview (G) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Application procedures

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form or CVs including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc );
Links to previous work samples.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Terms of Payment

The assignment is based on a lump sum contract amount and payment is based only upon the certification and acceptance of the deliverables received as indicated in the TOR. In the event of non-performance and pre-termination where payments cannot be made in full or may have to be suspended, the final payment will be pro-rated against received and accepted deliverables.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: https://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.