Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) was established in Cairo, Egypt, in 2012. The regional office covers 17 countries in the Arab States region and provides direct support to UN Women country offices in Egypt, Iraq, occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. In addition, UN Women has programme presence in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Libya. In 2014, UN Women started working in Kuwait as a non-resident agency and will pursue this modality in countries where there is no programme or office presence, including in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The regional office supports country offices in assisting national governments to fulfill their gender equality commitments under the applicable national and international laws. The regional office works with country offices in strengthening areas of programmatic interventions under the six thematic areas identified in the organization’s Strategic plan for 2014–2017, including:

• Expanding women’s voice, leadership and participation;
• Enhancing women’s economic empowerment;
• Ending violence against women and girls;
• Implementing the women’s peace and security agenda;
• Enhancing governance and national planning to improve accountability for gender equality commitments and priorities; 
• Strengthening and implementing the global and normative policy framework for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Women Peace and Security, and Humanitarian Action (WPS/HA):

UN Women has been working with governments, UN partners and civil society throughout the region to support women’s participation and influence at all levels of decision-making to prevent and resolve conflicts. UN Women has worked closely, and continues to work, with a number of governments in the region to develop their national action plans on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its subsequent resolutions. Complementing this is work with national actors to support women’s engagement in peace-making, peacekeeping, recovery and prevention of violent extremism (PVE) throughout the region.

UN Women’s Madad Programme:

With the support from European Union (EU) and other country programme specific donors, a regional programme “Strengthening the Resilience of Syrian Women and Girls and Host Communities in Iraq, Jordan and Turkey” is being implemented in Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey. This is an integrated programme that targets both displaced Syrian women and girls and host-country nationals across Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey. In Iraq, the programme additionally targets displaced Iraqi women, affected by the current conflict. It works to address the call of the European Union Regional Trust Fund to the Syria Crisis (EU MADAD) to, inter alia, involve women in crisis prevention, conflict management, peacebuilding and to help protect women in gender-based violence, especially sexual abuses.

The programme works at multiple levels to:

1. Enable women’s empowerment through addressing issues of economic vulnerability and violence by increased access to recovery and livelihood opportunities, paired with comprehensive protection services and support to national justice structures to promote accountability for violence against women;
2. Promote a culture of peace and co-existence through supporting women to lead and engage in peacebuilding, reconciliation and conflict prevention;
3. Engage men as partners, champions, and advocates for women’s increased empowerment, including their engagement in the labour market.

The programme operates at the regional level, implemented in Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey.

To support the effective communication on key developments/data in WPS-HA programmes at the Regional Office for Arab States as well as the Madad programme’s communication, visibility and media outreach, UN Women is looking for a qualified candidate to lead the communication and visibility actions. Specifically for the Madad programme, the Communications person is the programme’s expert in strategic communications, including media, events management, corporate branding, advocacy-related messaging and outreach. S/he is expected to facilitate communicating programme’s progress, achievements, learnings, and integration of best practices with wide range of stakeholders and coordinate with the country Communication Officers and programme managers to enhance the strategic positioning and visibility of the programme.

Objective of the Assignment:

The Media and Communication Expert reports to the Regional Advisor, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action. The position is home-based and requires travel as per the programme need. S/ he will ensure coordination, cohesion and build synergies with other ongoing interventions within UN Women, and those already funded by the EU MADAD Trust Fund.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Media and Communication consultant will work to produce the following deliverables over a 12- month period:

Women Peace and Security, and Humanitarian Action (WPS/HA)

General

• Preparation of social media content on key developments/data in WPS-HA in the region (i.e. on an ad hoc or rolling basis)
• Production of all content in Arabic and English

Interviews

• 3-6 interviews annually with influential women from the region for the series “From where I stand” with high profile photo and interviewees’ bios.

Events Communications Packages

The communication expert to develop 7 event communication packages before each UN Women ROAS hosted event, which can be rolled out by the WPS-HA, RO and HQ communication, and monitored by the WPS-HA communication expert. The package should include the following:

• A press release for the launch of an event
• A number of suggested tweets/hashtags prepared for sharing during the event (2-3 tweets per event)
• A brief overview article of the event with key note speakers quotes
• Support to mobilization of the press to attend key events

Knowledge Production

The communication expert to develop a knowledge product communication package for 5 knowledge products before the release of each ROAS knowledge product, which can be rolled out by the WPS-HA, RO and HQ communication, and monitored by the communication expert. The package should always include the following:

• Brief overview of the knowledge product with key findings (1-2 articles per project i.e. a launch of and a final report article with key findings)
• Draft tweets and hashtags articulated around key findings
• Two infographs setting out the findings of the knowledge product (guide the production – actual production to be undertaken by a design company, funded directly by UN Women)

Success Stories/News Stories

• 3-6 annually brief pieces for the UN Women website highlighting good work of UN Women and partners (CSO, Govt etc) – highlighting impact.

UN Women’s Madad Programme

General

• Support the country offices in the implementation of the programme’s communications plan in line with UN Women and the donors’ communication strategy and guidelines;
• Maintain regional programme online outreach, coordinate its migration of content if needed and produce information materials and development of web content for public outreach;
• Coordinate communication activities with UN communication colleagues at regional /national level;
• Prepare and manage the bi-monthly E-newsletter, corporate branding, provide support to media advocacy and campaigns and provide strategic guidance on innovative strategies and actions for visibility of the programme.

Support country offices in the implementation of the programme’s communications plan in line with UN Women and the European Union communication guidelines and strategy:

• Work through the established communication strategy for the programme and suggest further innovative approaches for high visibility throughout the programme cycle;
• Build and maintain relationships with the media to communicate widely about the programme and work to develop a database of journalists and media outlets interested in the programme;
• Identify, attract and engage key regional and international media outlets, opinion leaders and influencers in support of the programmes’ communication and advocacy goals;
• Adhere to UN Women and donor branding and visibility guidelines across all applications;
• Ensure consistency and quality of all digital and print communication applications;
• Plan and lead the implementation of a high-level programme visibility, especially during the global and regional strategic events.

Maintain regional programme online outreach, coordinate its migration of content if needed and produce information materials for public outreach:

• Oversee programme webpage technical and editorially in line with the corporate web policy;
• Oversee and manage regional social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy and provide inputs to corporate social media accounts;
• Opportunities for press conferences identified and press conferences organized; press releases and media kits drafted;
• Clear, consistent and timely responses to media inquiries; issuance of statement and corporate positions to media and other external audiences;
• Draft brochures, fact sheets, stories from the field to inform media and public;
• Produce relevant video material on the programme’s work when needed;
• Effective channels for dissemination of all information products to relevant target audiences identified and distribution supervised.
• Coordinate communication activities with UN communication colleagues at regional /national level:
• Regular consultation with regional/national communication/programme teams to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging and initiatives;
• Feedback to national programme teams with a view to coordinate programme communication initiatives: informs about regional /national activities, provide inputs for corporate initiatives, seeks advice and support;
• Regular contributions to and advice provided on programme’s materials, e.g. website, video productions, stories, newsletter, infographs etc. to highlight regional/national results.

Deliverables and Timelines:

Payment will be carried out on a monthly basis, based on an approved timesheet. The deliverables over the 12 months will be as follows:

Women Peace and Security, and Humanitarian Action (WPS/HA):

• Preparation of social media content on key developments/data in WPS-HA in the region (i.e. on an ad hoc or rolling basis) Production of all content in Arabic and English: Monthly;
• 3-6 interviews annually with influential women from the region for the series “From where I stand” with high res profile photo and interviewees’ bios: Within 12 months;
• Develop and implement an event communication package before each UN Women ROAS hosted event (7 total): Within 12 months;
• Develop and implement knowledge product communication package for 5 knowledge products before the release of each ROAS knowledge product: Within 12 months;
• 3-6 success stories /new stories annually, Brief pieces for the UN Women website highlighting good work of UN Women and partners (CSO, Govt etc.) – highlighting impact: Within 12 months.

UN Women’s Madad Programme:

• Management of content for social media platforms in the region, and keep track of social media analytics: Monthly:

             - Sharing facts and figures on the status of women in the programme countries (and in the world/region) from UN Women commissioned studies/research, national data, and partner/sister UN agency studies – minimum 2 per week;

             - Sharing key messages and information on MADAD programme work including programme background, factsheets, and updates – minimum 1 per week;

• Quotes and articles from project-based M&E, partner, donor, field and courtesy visits – minimum 2 per week;
• Production of 1 E-Newsletter in coordination with the country teams: January 2020;
• Production and coordination of infographs, human interest stories, information commemorating International UN Days that highlight the programme goals focusing on women and girls (1 human interest story per country per month): Monthly;
• Maintenance of a digital photo library of photo stories/ programme activities photos in UN Women webpage based on the materials received from the country teams: Coordinate with countries for the photo archive;
• Management and coordination of programme visibility events – produce at least one press release/ op-ed/ media interface: Minimum 1 event press releases;
• Collate the communications package for sharing with donors collecting all the communications materials generated in each quarter: Quarterly;
• News/ communication updates and information is provided on bi-weekly basis for regional and global communications: Continuous.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Substantial experience and record of experience in communications, media, and outreach especially focusing on women and girls’ rights, especially economic empowerment, addressing violence against women and girls, and humanitarian response in refugee crisis;
• Significant familiarity with the Arab Region, women's rights organizations and networks in the region;
• Excellent communication skills to engage across different constituencies and maintain relationships with different levels of stakeholders;
• Excellent experience of using the electronic and print media, especially the web-based platforms;
• Ability to synthesise research and draw conclusion on the related subjects;
• Excellent organization and planning skills and ability to pay attention to details;
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond positively to feedback;
• Ability to complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
• Ability to manage and maintain relationships with different levels of stakeholders effectively and strategically;
• Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships;
• Commitment to accomplish work;
• Good knowledge of UN Women and the UN system;
• Experience in managing EU supported programme’s communication is desirable;
• Excellent command of oral and written Arabic and English.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in Journalism and communication or related disciplines is preferred;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum 5 years of experience in the communications field;
• Communication literacy, electronic networks and software used for communication purposes;
• Computer literacy, electronic networks, and software used for communication purposes (i.e. Websites, electronics bulletin, etc.);
• Good experience with new media and generating web content;
• Practical experience working with the organizations/ private sector/communities in implementing development related projects/activities;
• Understanding the donors’ communications guidelines; work experience in managing similar programme, especially EU supported programme is preferred;
• Familiar with gender issues, and preferable on women, peace and security;
• Familiar with UN Women and UN system is an asset;
• Significant experience in the Middle East and North Africa is a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required;
• Knowledge of other UN official working language is an asset.

Evaluation Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation.

Criteria Weight Technical: 70% (70 points):

• Criteria A: Relevance of the education, (6 points);
• Criteria B: Relevance of work experience in communication, media, and use of audio-visual mediums for women’s rights and gender equality campaigns, and a development related field, (20 points);
• Criteria C: Work experience with development organizations in Arab region, (5 points);
• Criteria D: Working experience in EU funded projects and knowledge of EU visibility guidelines, (9 points);
• Criteria E: Work experience in the area of Syrian refugee crisis in Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey, (10 points);
• Criteria F: Sample design’s relevance and quality, (20 points).

Financial: Lowest Financial Proposal: 30% (30 points):

The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:

• Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical);
• The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula: (Lowest Bid Offered*)/ (Bid of the Consultant) x 30;
• 'Lowest Bid Offered' refers to the lowest price offered by Offerors scoring at least 49 points in the technical evaluation.

Application:

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy explaining your suitability for the work and link to portfolio of work;
• UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• Financial proposal, proposed inclusive daily rate;
• Copy of the latest academic certificate.

Note that the DSA, terminals and round-trip economy fare tickets for the travel requested by UN Women as part of completing this assignment will be compensated separately.

The above-mentioned documents should be merged in a standalone file including all them, since the online application submission does only permit to upload one file per application. Incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification.