Background
To apply, interested persons should upload the combined* Technical Proposal/Methodology (if applicable), CV and Offeror’s Letter to “UNDP Jobs” by navigating to the link below and clicking “APPLY NOW”, no later than the date indicated on the “UNDP Jobs” website. Applications submitted via email will not be accepted**: -
UNDP Job Site – https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=85730 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work)
* PLEASE NOTE: The system allows the upload of one (1) document ONLY – if you are required to submit a Technical Proposal/Methodology, this document along with your CV/P11 and Offeror’s Letter, MUST be combined and uploaded as one.
NOTE: The Financial Proposal should not be uploaded to “UNDP Jobs”**.
**Please email the password-protected Financial Proposal to procurement.bb@undp.org. The subject line of your email must contain the following: “BBRSO74646 Financial Proposal – Your Name”
If the password for your Financial Proposal is required, it will be requested by the Procurement Unit.
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to procurement.bb@undp.org within three (3) days of the publication of this notice, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. The UNDP Barbados & the OECS Procurement Unit will post the responses*** two (2) days later, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to: -
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id= 56476 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work)
A detailed Procurement Notice, TOR, and all annexes can be found by clicking the above link.
*** UNDP shall endeavour to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary
Background
Natural hazards cause remarkable losses on the economic and social development of the communities and countries. Disaster preparedness and risk reduction need to be considered as a priority in building resilience and reducing human and economic losses, as well sustaining development investments.
Some challenges related to the failure of early warning and effective emergency response include substantial differences in hazard monitoring and forecasting capacities, weak coordination amongst hazard monitoring agencies, decision-makers, emergency responders, civil society and other stakeholders, and complications in in alert dissemination, including the practice emitting neutral alerts which do not reach specific vulnerable populations properly. Early warning alone doesn’t guarantee timely and effective response; contingency plans for preparedness may be outdated, training inadequate and insufficiently participative of all relevant stakeholders. Limited coordination of regional stakeholders in existing response mechanisms, as well as need for enhanced access and management of information, and improved technical capacities, communications and operational readiness, are challenges in ensuring a prepared Caribbean.
Identified solutions to address these issues include strengthening regional and national capacities for response and early warning, improving community-based preparedness to minimize losses, and promoting multi-hazard and targeted EWS. In addition, harmonization of response mechanisms and operations, the adaptation of communication technologies to the community context, promotion of multiple communications channels, and clear and understandable early warning messages, and clarity of roles and responsibilities between stakeholders are recommended actions.
This project will contribute to specific challenges identified for strengthening preparedness at the national level, and the national disaster management authorities of the Commonwealth of Dominica will benefit from reviewing and updating EWS protocols and plans in light of the 2017 - 2018 Hurricane season experience; efforts will be placed on targeted messaging to the public, and national system simulations to test whether the community end-user understands the alerts, perceives the risk, and can take action to protect themselves. This project will help decision-makers, such as meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities, and public works engage in coordinated actions so that the community member and local business receives consistent information and guidance on how to act.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct guidance of the UNDP Project and working collaboratively with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in the Commonwealth of Dominica, meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities, public works and district emergency operation centers in the target areas, the Communications Consultant will develop and implement a country-specific communication strategy. Specifically, the Consultant will:
Review and assess past knowledge, attitude and perception or behaviour (KAP/B) studies and undertake qualitative research among vulnerable populations related to emergency messaging in disaster risk management, disaggregated and analysed by age and sex and linked to the Dominica Red Cross Society community assessments and other relevant community assessments.This task should be closely coordinated with national stakeholders, including women’s and men’s groups, groups of people or communities with high hazard risk (e.g. fishing and farming cooperatives, district disaster committees), and gender bureaux.
Develop a communication strategy and action plan, to be used to implement the marketing campaign, in accordance with the past KAP/B studies to develop targeted messaging to communities using social and traditional media to be emitted from the national disaster agency.
Design, develop, and review communication products based on the communication strategy and action plan to ensure that they are culturally appropriate and inclusive of public messaging for vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and the elderly, and adapted to the Dominican context.
Co-ordinate and facilitate in-country pre-testing of communication products/collateral
Support ODM in coordinating in-country media and public outreach
Facilitate print co-ordination and manage the placement of radio, tv or social media ads
Conduct campaign recall and impact study for project specific content/coverage, following campaign’s conclusionThe Communications Consultant will operate from their home-base and undertake field visits / missions coordinating with the national disaster agency, as necessary.
Competencies
- Experience working in the Caribbean is highly desirable
- Comprehensive research and critical analysis
Qualitative and quantitative research methods
The ability to analyse and synthesise data from a wide variety of sources, and present the resulting information in a clear and concise format
Excellent report writing, editing, conceptual, analytical and communication skills.
Ability to work independently, and within a team, manage competing priorities and perform well under pressure within tight deadlines
Excellent inter-personal, facilitation and negotiation skills to effectively liaise with key stakeholders
Strong oral and written communication skills with a proficiency in English
- Demonstrated competencies in computer-based word processing and spreadsheet applications, workshop organisation, public speaking and sensitivity to cultural differences
Required Skills and Experience
An advanced university degree in communications, journalism, public relations or social sciences
A first level university degree with at least five (5) years of professional training/certification or experience may be accepted in place of an advanced university degree