Historique

1. Project Title: International Consultant for Communications Support for United Nations Timor-Leste. Deadline for applicant submission: 13 August 2018

1. Project Description

The United Nations in Timor-Leste has enjoyed a long and valuable partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste, now focusing on supporting the country in its sustainable development efforts through implementation of National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.  On 22nd June 2018, the VIII Constitutional Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was formally formed. The UNCT recognizes strategic and strong communications as an essential component of development work; it is important for the UN system to come together to advocate and raise awareness on key development challenges for Timor-Leste and highlight the support provided, and results achieved by UN’s cooperation with partners. The UNCT seeks improve its communication strategy, in order to enhance the impact of UN measures in support to the newly formed Government of Timor-Leste in short and long terms.

Therefore, the UNCT agreed to hire a consultant for a three months works on communication strategies of the key development areas to be focused on by the new government and other relevant communication works.

1. Background

Today, the UN Agencies work in Timor-Leste under the UN Resident Coordinator system, focusing solely on sustainable development. The partnership between the government and the UN is outlined in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2015 – 2020 (UNDAF) for Timor-Leste. The UNDAF is a strategic programme framework to support the national development priorities of Timor-Leste encapsulated in the Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 (SDP). The SDP reflects the aspiration of the Timorese People to become a high performing, middle income country by 2030.

Timor-Leste is now at a critical juncture. Many development milestones have been achieved, but key challenges remain. The country successfully and peacefully conducted its eighth parliamentary election on May 12th 2018, with the new Prime Minister sworn in on June 22nd 2018. The UN is committed to supporting the VIII Constitutional Government in achieving the 2030 aspirations of the SDP. 

The UN Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country team of 15 UN Agencies in Timor-Leste.  The Office of the Resident Coordinator (RCO) plays a critical role in supporting the Resident Coordinator, and the UN Country Team (UNCT) by providing coordination, planning, advocacy, analysis, information management and communications support. Furthermore, the RCO liaises with the counterparts, including the Government, the Office of the President, Parliament, civil society and the international donor community on a regular basis to keep national and international counterparts abreast of developments in UN programming, and provide information and support when requested. 

Devoirs et responsabilités

1. Responsibilities and Duties

The consultant will be responsible for communications and outreach, to provide visibility of the UN work in Timor-Leste, support advocacy initiatives and support consistent reporting of the UN programmes in the country. S/he will do this by:

1. assisting UNCT to finalize a clear Joint Messaging to the new Government and to the public;
2. building capacity development of mid-level UN Professionals on how to communicate effectively on development areas;
3. finalizing pending high priority communications work on UN Communications strategy.
4. Providing guidance for RCO and UNCG to formulate and finalize updated UN Brochure

1. Scope of Work

The consultant will work under the overall direct supervision of the RC, Head of RCO and the UNCT for communications strategies for the new government and relevant activities. The consultant will also work collaboratively with the UN Communications Group (UNCG) and relevant groups.

1. Expected Outputs/Key Deliverables and Timeframe

The successful individual consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs/key deliverables:

1. Institutional Arrangements

Under the supervision of the RC and Head of Office, the consultant will work with the RCO team to ensure implementation and quality of delivery.   

Compétences

1. Duration of Work

The successful individual consultant is expected to perform the above-mentioned outputs/key deliverables within 60 working days of the assignment. He/she is expected to start on the 3 September 2018 and all outputs have to be delivered by the 23 November 2018.

1. Duty Station

The main duty station will be Dili.  The consultant must be available for regular meetings with the RCO team, RC and other meetings with the UN Groups and UNCT when required.

Qualifications et expériences requises

1. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

1. Academic Qualifications:

Minimum a master degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Political Science/development, or related field.

1. Years of experience:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in communications is required, and experience in the international development area is preferred
• Experience in media planning, media pitching, and producing press or special events is preferred
• Excellent knowledge of the UN system and UN common country programming processes; prior experience in working with multilateral agencies
• Effective techniques for communication with various segments of the population.
• Desirable: Background knowledge of UN related issues  

1. Language requirements

• For this consultancy, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge about Tetun and Portuguese are an advantage.

1. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Lump Sum Contract

The Financial Proposal must be expressed in the form of an all-inclusive[1] Lump Sum Amount, linked to the Expected Outputs and Deliverables, supported by a breakdown of costs as per the template provided by UNDP. Under the lump sum approach, the contract price is fixed, regardless of changes in the cost components or duration of the assignment.

Travel;

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Schedule of payments

1. 20% of payment upon delivery of the draft finalization of Joint Messaging to the RCO and UNCT for comments/feedbacks following by 14 September 2018
2. 30% of payment upon completion of the Revision of comments of Joint Messaging and final document is submitted by 21 September 2018
3. 20% of payment upon completion of trainings to the RCO and related agencies mid-level programme staff and training report is developed and submitted by 2 November 2018
4. 30% of payment upon revision of UN Communications strategy and development of new UN Brochure by 23 November 2018

I. Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Dully accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (to be downloaded from the procurement notice link);
2. 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;
3. A brief methodology and step by step timeline on how he/she will approach and complete the assignment, and
4. Financial Proposal in the template provided by UNDP (to be downloaded from the procurement notice link).

1. Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

K. Approval

This TOR is approved by:  Roy Trivedy, UN Resident Coordinator  

L. Annexes to this TOR

ANNEX 1- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

[1] The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal