UN WOMEN Jobs - 99156- National Consultant on Communication for UN Women

National Consultant on Communication for UN Women Country Office in Albania

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Tirana, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Jun-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Up to 20 working days per month, over period June 2021-May 2022

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

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 UN Women Albania programme is framed under the GoA and UN Programme of Cooperation 2017-2021 and it supports government, civil society and gender equality advocates in cooperation with UN agencies and international development partners to achieve national and international commitments towards gender equality. UN Women actively contributes to existing UN inter agency coordination structures, including the UNCT and the Joint Communication Group. Un Women chairs the Gender Results Theme Group, which also supports advocacy and public awareness around gender equality and the empowerment of women.

UN Women more specific areas of programme intervention in Albania focus on:

Governance and Women’s Leadership
Ending Violence against Women and Girls
Women’s economic empowerment
Peace and Security and humanitarian action.

During implementation of the office and projects’ Annual Work plans as well as to achieve results in the above mentioned areas, UN Women will organize a series of different events such as launching of publications or reports, study visits in support to main partners, conferences, campaigns, trainings, and field visits that will be held in Tirana and in other regions where specific project interventions are being implemented. These events require adequate media coverage and visibility conveying specific messages and targeting specific audiences. Moreover, UN Women will also regularly contribute with articles related to UN Women Albania mandate, activities and results to be published in different websites (UN Albania, UN Women/Region, UN Women HQ etc.) and Facebook page.

UN Women Albania has developed a Communication Strategy to ensure higher visibility to its mandate, activities and results. Another main communication document is the Strategy on Social Media that aims to increase visibility of UN Women’s work in social media. In line with corporate and national communication strategy and advocacy, UN Women Albania office will also lead a number of national campaigns with different purpose and target groups.

In April 2021, the country office started implementation of the UN Joint Programme “EU for Gender Equality” funded by the European Union through the EU Delegation in Albania and implemented jointly with UNFPA. This 2-year intervention reflects the EU commitment on gender equality as a principle underpinning its external relations within the framework of Albania’s accession to the EU and with a focus on the negotiation process. With the overall aim of enhancing transposition of the EU Gender Equality acquis and achieving gender equality outcomes in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5), it will focus on strengthening gender and socially-responsive governance outcomes at central and local levels, in line with international human rights norms and standards such as CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention, and the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review.

The UN Joint Programme has two generic objectives. At central level, it will provide expert support for the integration of gender perspectives into sector dialogue, policy revisions, recovery programmes, and ongoing reforms. At local government unit/service provision level, it will strengthen capacities to translate national gender equality goals to the local level by specifically supporting measures that increase resilience and specifically focus on women’s economic resilience, and the empowerment and social inclusion of adolescent girls in underserved, rural areas, also involving adolescent boys as partners in supporting gender equality.

In light of these needs, UN Women Albania is recruiting a National Communication Consultant to assist the office in implementing its visibility and communication strategies and campaigns.

The National Communication Consultant will collaborate closely with the Regional and Headquarters colleagues to ensure communications, media relations and Country Office outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. S/he also collaborates with Country Office colleagues to support programme visibility, advocacy campaigns and donor relations initiatives. In addition, s/he liaises with communications community of the other UN agencies in the country. The recommendations from Country Office communication documents together with the direct work with programme coordinators will guide the work plan and results expected by the National Communications Consultant.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Communication Officer and in collaboration with the Country Office Programme coordinator and personnel, the incumbent’s tasks and responsibilities are as follows:

Support in ensuring strategic, innovative as well as regular media coverage (content and visuals) of office and programme activities in the above mentioned areas;
Support the design and implementation of in-country UN Women/UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events, as well as monitor the implementation and results of the above activities;
Support the Country Office Programme team in the development of high-quality communication products following UN Women standard publication and branding guidelines as well as donors’ branding and visibility requirements;
Provide inputs to the Country Office quarterly and annual reports and other reports as needed based on results achieved;

Support and coordinate the development and dissemination of advocacy materials.

Draft briefing materials, and press releases and coordinate its dissemination through relevant media channels, by ensuring timely and relevant print and TV briefings, coverage and updates on different UN Women events
Support Country Office media relations and respond to inquiries for public and UN system information materials;

Support the promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
Assist in the review of the Country Office Communication Strategy and Social Media Strategy.
Coordinate the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
Assist in distributing UN Women knowledge and information products to relevant partners and stakeholders;
Follow communications and advocacy guidelines from HQ and Regional Office.
Coordinate with the UN Communication Officer in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Agencies communication focal points in joint events and activities

Coordinate the Country Office’s web/ online presence

Support in updating CO’s websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
Coordinate CO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
Draft and update content on UN Women Albania website, Facebook and Twitter accounts in coordination with relevant personnel, to increase interaction and engagement of online audience;

Provide communication/visibility support for the EU for Gender Equality UN Joint programme

Update and lead implementation and close monitoring of the Project Communication and Visibility Plan part of the approved Project Document and in line with with the EU Communication and Visibility requirements[1] and the EU-UN Joint Visibility Guidelines.[2];
Lead and coordinate preparation of all project-related communication/visibility materials for the project and as part of specific activities ensuring compliance with UN Women, UN and EU branding guidelines;
Support organization of events, monitoring visits, donor visits and ensure their visibility including preparation of stories, photos of beneficiaries, press releases;
Coordinate with UNFPA Communication Officer and UN RCO Communication Officer as well as EU Delegation communication office for all communication-related products of the project;
Provide inputs to the project quarterly and annual reports including metrics related to the monitoring indicators of the project Communication and Visibility Plan and other reports as needed;

[1] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/visibility_requirements-near_english.pdf

[2] Available at http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/funding/procedures-beneficiary-countries-and-partners/fafa-united-nations_en

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
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:

Ability to communicate effectively and creatively across different constituencies
Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
Knowledge of local country media landscape
Communication, networking and advocacy skills
Ability to be strategic and analytical
Excellent written communications and editorial skills in both English and Albanian, with proven ability to produce communications products and content for online platforms and social media
Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable

Required Skills and Experience

Academic/Education requirement:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

At least 4 years of relevant work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
Experience in the use of social media.
Experience with gender issues and challenges would be considered an asset
Experience or familiarity with the UN system, EU-funded programs/projects or with similar international organizations is desirable

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English and Albanian is required;

Schedule of Payments:

Payment will be made as per the payment schedule in the contract upon (i) satisfactory completion of tasks; (ii) provision of deliverables specified in the ToRs; (iv) submission of the certificate of payment.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their application no later than 1 June 2021

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in applying for the position.
Filled UN Women Personal History Form (P11 form) including past experience in similar assignments and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from: http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment/); please upload the P11 instead of your CV
Communication products and content developed/curated by the applicant from past assignments/jobs, such as Communications Strategies/Plans; links or copies of press releases, stories, promotional materials, audiovisual materials, website content or any other product.
Financial Proposal - Financial proposal specifying the monthly fee in Albanian Lek. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).
Note: The application will be considered incomplete if it does not include the Financial Proposal.

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

Having received the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Applications will be assessed according to the following Technical Criteria:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. (10 points);
At least 4 years of relevant work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy. (25 points);
Experience in the use of social media. (15 points);
Outstanding oral and written communications and editorial skills, with proven ability to produce communications products and content for online platforms and social media. (15 points);
Experience with gender issues and challenges would be considered an asset. (5 points);
Experience or familiarity with the UN system, EU-funded projects or similar international organizations is desirable. (5 points);

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. The calculation formula applied is as follow:

p = 30 (µ/z); where: p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

How to Submit the Application: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)- http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
Merge your UN Women Personal History Form (P11), the Financial Proposal, and Cover Letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
Click 'Apply Now' button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click 'Submit Application;'
Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Notes:

UN Women retains the right to contact references directly. Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

The consultancy post is open to local (Albanian) individuals or foreign individuals with valid temporary or permanent residence in Albania.
Applications without the financial offer will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.The individual consultants should take the mandatory learning security course prior to commencement of assignment– details will follow before the issuance of contract