Background

1. Project Background

The project, Sustainable Finance of Papua New Guinea’s Protected Area Network, will extend Government of PNG’s ability to fulfil its protected area mandate and implement the Protected Area Policy: (i) secure stable and long-term financial resources for the management of protected areas across the country; (ii) ensure that these financial resources are allocated to contribute to improving effectiveness of the management of the protected areas across the country; and (iii) ensure that they are managed cost-effectively and efficiently with respect to their conservation and other complementary development objectives. In recognition of this need, the project will assist with the development of a diversified mix of conventional and innovative funding sources and consolidate revenues to finance the ongoing costs of establishing and managing protected areas, and assist the Government to establish a Biodiversity Fund – that will be built on a secure, accountable and transparent financial mechanism, for receiving, administering and disbursing funds. The project will, therefore, result in a system that will provide catalytic and long-term financial support that will lead to stable ecosystems (both within and outside of protected areas), coupled with the social transformations to make that happen (including transforming institutions to become supporters/facilitators of that process, and the establishment of long-term partnerships).

The Communications Consultant will ensure that the progress, results and outputs of the project are communicated effectively both internally, with stakeholders within PNG, and externally, with the international conservation finance community. S/he will be responsible for production and dissemination of communication materials related to project activities, outputs, results and missions. S/he will be working closely with the project team and the UNDP PNG Country Office to provide targeted and consistent high-level exposure for the project.

2. Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to develop and implement the Communications Strategy for the project, developing outputs which assist to effectively communicate the project progress and results with its stakeholders, nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the project will support the establishment of a Biodiversity Fund in PNG. The consultant will be expected to develop and manage the website for the Fund, as well as its communication materials.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of consultancy

The national Communications Consultant will be home-based, working under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, but available for meetings in Port Moresby. The Consultant will work with the Project team as well as the PNG Country Office on the following activities:

1. Develop a communications strategy for project in line with visibility guidelines of UNDP and including key project messages (10 Days);
2. Add regular updates to the two websites for the project results and PNG Biodiversity and Climate Fund; (20 Days)
3. Develop and/or update communications products such as infographics (10), case studies (5), videos (5) (40 Days)
4. Lead the development of specific communication strategies for project events, namely i) Fund launch events, ii) Protected Area Forum and World Environment Day, iii) Sign grants with Implementing Partners at project sites, iv) Launch of Fund first granting call. (20 Days)
5. Editing of communication materials prepared by the project teams (24); (10 Days)
6. Provide design and layout work for the project’s external publications (10). (20 Days)

The consultant will agree with the CTA a list of required outputs (total of 60 specific outputs/products, beyond the development of the communication strategy) to be delivered for the following quarter in consultation with the project team. This will become the workplan for the consultant under the contract.

4. Key deliverable and schedule of payment

5. Working Arrangement

The consultant will closely work with the GEF team while taking responsibility for deadlines and deliverables as outlined in the Terms of Reference and associated Contract.

The consultant is expected to have their own equipment to perform the tasks above, such as laptop, design software for documents and infographics, camera and/or video equipment, as well as regular and stable internet connection.

Competencies

Competencies

• Ability to work independently and to deliver high quality programs with minimal supervision
• Excellent oral and writing communication skills

7. Evaluation

Cumulative analysis

The proposals will be evaluated using the cumulative analysis method with a split 70% technical and 30% financial scoring. The proposal with the highest cumulative scoring will be awarded the contract. Applications will be evaluated technically, and points are attributed based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the Terms of Reference using the guidelines detailed in the table below.

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract may be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weighting; 70%

* Financial Criteria weighting; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Interviews may be conducted as part of technical assessment for shortlisted proposals.

Required Skills and Experience

1. Required Experiences and Skills  

Education and experience

• At least a Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, marketing, public relations or related fields of expertise.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with developing countries on one or more of the following: marketing and communication, public relations or related fields;
• Demonstratable experience in the providing long-term marketing and communication support to donor-funded projects, preferably in the conservation sector;
• Demonstratable experience in the developing infographics, design layouts for publications, website design and producing communication strategies.

Documents to be included when submitting Consultancy Proposals 

The following documents may be requested:

1. Duly executed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. P11 form using template provided by UNDP which indicates all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) with at least three (3) professional references;
3. Technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology and approach for completing all the tasks outlined in the TOR as well as three examples of previous outputs developed for similar initiatives.
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must stipulate that arrangement at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP .

Lump-sum contracts

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, living expenses, and number of anticipated working days). 

Travel

Any travel to provinces required under this contract will be funded separately by the project. The consultant is expected to manage their own travel within Port Moresby and will not be financed by the project.

Submission Instructions

Completed proposals should be submitted to procurement.png@undp.org , no later than 10 October 2021. For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to procurement.pg@undp.org 

Please be guided by the instructions provided in this document above while preparing your submission.

Incomplete proposals and failure to comply with proposal submission instruction may not be considered or may result in disqualification of proposal.

UNDP looks forward to receiving your Proposal and thank you in advance for your interest in UNDP procurement opportunities.