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 Consultant to provide support with developing compelling stories to increase visibility, knowledge and impact of the Portfolio, as well as to contribute to its awareness-raising and outreach efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of the assignment is to translate programme results into powerful compelling human stories related to environment, including but not limited to climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy efficiency and security, distributed energy resources, waste management, water management, sustainable transportation, green finance and/or other issues in the sustainable energy and environment area.  

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Programme Coordinator, the consultant is expected to produce a number of human stories (in English and Ukrainian) demonstrating UNDP’s impact on the ground.

He/she will capture and share stories to promote environmentally-friendly action/behaviour by offering a new way of looking at things and by challenging the audience’s belief system.  He/she should finally be able to intrigue, educate, clarify key messages and motivate the audience in order to inspire and make them want to be the story of change and to be engaged in environmentally-friendly action.

The stories will be disseminated through UNDP communication channels, including but not limited to web site, Exposure, Medium, social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) etc. It may be needed to tailor prepared stories to several communication channels with different requirements to the length and structure of publication (recommended story length for a blog up to 800 words, for Medium up to 900-1200 words, for Exposure up to 600-800 words).

The Consultant will carry out the following activities:

• Review the background documents provided by UNDP to obtain a better understanding of the goals and context, as well as the UNDP Guidelines for Storytelling and Principles of Gender-Responsive Communications to follow developing the products. Meet with communication team of the portfolio to discuss potential storylines. Develop detailed work plan identifying timelines, activities and certain deliverables for the period of assignment in consultation with UNDP and submit to UNDP for approval.
• Identify success stories and gather engaging and compelling stories/content, both by the desk review and by interviews with men/women selected to be portrayed in the storytelling project. Ensure that women and men are equally represented in stories.
• Turn deep and raw scientific feature-oriented content and human voices into personalized human stories the audience will enjoy. The style of stories should be catchy, avoiding jargon and technical words.  Protagonists should be portrayed in their natural, authentic working or domestic environment, to provide context to the story. It is also important to capture the subject in their daily action or engaged in an activity that helps construct the story. Stories should also focus on the process of change, finding positive solutions and/or overcoming challenges.
• With an emphasis on strong writing, contextualize and design visual, text-based content as well as tailor and package key messages to be communicated to suit the audience. Ensure that the content clearly communicates the message and ensure content and message are consistent.
• Provide UNDP with first drafts of the success human stories for comments/feedback by agreed deadline.
• Provide UNDP with revised drafts for comments / feedback by agreed deadline.
• Ensure timely incorporation of feedback received from UNDP into final drafts.
• Develop a final report covering the whole assignment, followed with all relevant Annexes with all outputs produced.
• Supplement the success human stories with photos (captured by the consultant or UNDP photographer) and ensure the following photo quality and approach: photo files size should be around 3MB or more at 300 dpi. The consultant must obtain consent from subjects to photograph and/or record them. Each image from the optimized edit as well as the full take must include in the IPTC metadata: the full name of the photographer for photo credit, the correct date, the location, and the city/country. IPTC metadata can be embedded within the photo through the use of image editing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or Photo Mechanic. In addition to required info, a descriptive caption written in complete sentences is strongly preferred. The caption should describe the who, what, when and where of the photo in a way that accurately describes the context of the photo to a new viewer. Photos must be made and delivered in color.  Color filtering or stylistic adjustments (extreme contrast, high saturation, etc.) are highly discouraged, and original out-of-camera images may be requested if processing is unacceptable.

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: 

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

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

MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment Programme Coordinator.

The consultant will interact with UNDP to receive any clarifications and guidance that may be needed. 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.

UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the Programme Coordinator. Each deliverable will be delivered in a draft for comments and feedback before finalization. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without the approval of UNDP.

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 materials and reports is Ukrainian and English.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All information and production of photo and audio materials pertaining to the assignment as well as outputs produced under this ToR shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and in teams;
• Awareness of the latest policy developments in the energy sector of Ukraine;
• Excellent communication skills.

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 & media, public relations, communications, linguistics, social sciences, sustainable energy, ecology, environmental management, or other relevant studies.

Professional Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in journalism, photo journalism, development communication, copywriting of human-centred stories and/or storytelling or similar field;
• Excellent storytelling/ writing skills and ability to translate expert knowledge in language that can be understood by non-expert audiences proven by record (portfolio) of at least 5 published articles, human-centred success stories and/or other relevant publications;
• Familiarity with the issues related to the sustainable energy and environment area (education or at least 1 year working experience in the related field) would be a strong advantage.
• Excellent technical photography skills to ensure production of high-quality photographs and videography would be an asset.
• 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:

• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects/assignments and contact details for referees.
• Letter of interest/proposal, explaining why the applicant considers him- or herself the most suitable for the work and providing a brief information on how the work will be conducted and/or approached.
• Samples of at least 5 previously prepared articles, human-centred success stories and/or other relevant publications
• Samples of photography taken (at least 3), photography genre must be relevant to the assignment
• Financial proposal (photo services fee in financial proposal shall be indicated separately)
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP

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 – 12 points max

(at least Bachelor’s degree in journalism & media, public relations, communications, social sciences, sustainable energy, ecology, environmental management, or other relevant studies)

{12 pts - Bachelor’s/Specialist/Master’s degree in sustainable energy, ecology, environmental management, or other relevant studies; 11 pts – Specialist/Master’s degree in journalism & media, public relations, communications, social sciences, or other relevant studies; 9 pts – Bachelor’s degree in journalism & media, public relations, communications, social sciences, or other relevant studies}

Professional Experience:

• Relevant work experience – 20 points max

(At least 3 years of experience in journalism, photo journalism, development communication, copywriting of human-centred stories and/or storytelling or similar field)

{20 pts – 7 years and more of the relevant experience; 18 pts – 5-6 years; 16 pts – 3-4 years of the relevant experience)

• Writing skills – 25 points max

(Excellent storytelling/ writing skills and ability to translate expert knowledge in language that can be understood by non-expert audiences proven by record (portfolio) of at least 5 published articles, human-centred success stories and/or other relevant publications)

{up to 25 pts –more than 5 articles, human-centred success stories and/or other relevant publications provided; 20 pts – 5 articles, human-centred success stories and/or other relevant publications provided}

• Familiarity with the issues related to the sustainable energy and environment area as a strong advantage (at least 1 year working experience in the field) - 3 points max

{3 pts – 1 year and more of the relevant experience; 0 pts – No experience)

• Excellent technical photography skills as an asset – 4 points max

(Excellent technical photography skills to ensure production of high-quality photographs and videography proven by samples)

{4 pts – provided samples of high-quality photography taken (at least 3), photography genre relevant to the assignment; 0 pts – no photography provided)

• Experience working with international organizations – 1 point max

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

{1 pts – has relevant experience; 0 pts – no experience}

Language skills:

• Language Skills – 4 points max

(Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian and English is required)

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

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.