Background

A - BACKGROUND

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has been a trusted development partner of the Maldives for more than 40 years, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and exclusion in areas such governance, environment protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation. In each of its thematic areas of work, UNDP at the request of its national partners provides relevant policy advisory support, technical assistance, advocacy, and knowledge to help Maldives achieve its global commitment on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With Maldives’s transition to Middle Income Country Status, Official Development Assistance from traditional donor sources has been on the continuous decline. UNDP is therefore working with its national partners to identify and tap into alternative and innovative financing mechanisms for development. This process involves broadening outreach and forging wide-ranging partnerships with stakeholders - including other UN agencies, the government, the private sector, philanthropic Foundations, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and International Finance Institutions to advance the country’s development strategies and objectives.

UNDP Maldives is seeking the services of a professional writer with experience in showcasing the development work done by UNDP Maldives. The writer will be tasked with creating stories for key projects/thematic areas under the UNDP Maldives country office portfolio. These materials will be used in our engagements to promote the work of UNDP Maldives to partners, donors, stakeholders, and other audiences including the general public.

Notes

Consultant(s) commissioned by the UNDP is expected to observe UN security recommendations. UNDP cannot provide insurance for any damage to the consultant(s) equipment or personal injury experienced during an assignment.

No consultant(s) should incur expenses without express authorization from UNDP. UNDP will not be responsible for penalties and charges incurred without authorization.

Duties and Responsibilities

B - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP team, the consultant will be required to;

1. Meet with appropriate teams to understand the scope of the work
2. Create stories and written material for selected key projects and thematic areas that UNDP Maldives country office has identified. 
3. Make recommendations on how to make these stories and written materials strategic in reaching our audiences and making sure to cater to these different elements.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP team, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables;

1. Draft content for all sections and sub-sections of the key project
2. Edit the materials required to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience.
3. Proof-read the final texts to ensure both text and associated graphics are error free and ready for publication
4. Submit the final work to UNDP for review and approval (incorporating various revisions).

The copyright for all of the deliverables remains with UNDP Maldives, and the Writer is expected to carry out the work in an ethical manner.

Duration of the Assignment

• Dates may be tentative. The consultant is expected to work on a need basis.
• The length of time required for each project is subject to confirmation by UNDP. The number of days of professional work required is thus indicative.
• The consultant should indicate their professional daily rates, which will be used to adjust the value of the contract in case there is a change in the number of days required.
• UNDP reserves the right to change the timeframes and itineraries of these jobs.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will work under the guidance of UNDP and will be accountable to the assigned focal point for each deliverable as stipulated in the proposal.

Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

All work will be undertaken within Maldives.

C -PAYMENT TERMS

The method of payment is output-based lump-sum scheme. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive lump sum and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

The payments shall be released upon submitting the required deliverables/outputs with satisfactory by the Focal Point as per agreement for each report in accordance with a set time schedule to be agreed in the contract.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel, honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

Competencies

D -COMPETENCIES

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning & Organizing:

Establishes, builds and maintains effective communication and working relationships with the supervisor to achieve the planned results.

Required Skills and Experience

E - REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The consultant is expected to fulfill the following criteria in terms of the expertise and qualifications;

Education:

• Have obtained a Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the field of communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, graphic design, political science, business administration or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a writer/editor producing/editing content for publications and other communications products and platforms.
• Experience in writing for the development field is an added advantage
• Understanding of and/or background in one or more of the following areas of specialization: poverty reduction, democratic governance, environment and energy, capacity development, youth, gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Knowledge of UN, including UNDP terms, language and style an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent English to Dhivehi and vice versa translation skills.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The Long-Term Agreement shall be awarded to the consultant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1: Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant field – 20%
• Criteria 2: Minimum 2 years of experience as a writer/editor producing/editing content for publications and other communications products and platforms – 35%
• Criteria 3: Experience in writing for the development field – 15%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) during the desk review/interview are acceptable would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP in Annex II;
2. Production portfolio – if required (by providing ZIP folder via wetransfer.com or drop box or any online accessible platform)
3. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
4. Financial proposal that indicates the lump sum rate/fee of the candidate in Maldivian Rufiyya (or USD in the case of international consultant).  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must include a breakdown of this daily fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment); 

Long Term Agreement award:

The Long-Term Agreement might be awarded to one or more candidates whose offer have been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.  The short-listed candidates may be contacted for interview and the successful candidate will be notified.