Historique

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

The United Nations Development Programme (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 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, State-building, governance, and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIROA), the United Nations system, the donor community, and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to a positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary, and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial, and executive arms of the State, Ministries, Government agencies, and commissions at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP has played a role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA), which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation, and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN system to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Organizational Context:

UNDP is committed to augmenting the capacity of the GIROA to administer the Rule of Law and improve security and justice service-delivery for all Afghan citizens. As the lead Rule of Law institution in the country, improving the ability of the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) to fulfill its mandate remains critical to the overall stability of Afghanistan and its people. As the UN’s primary development agency and a longstanding development partner to GIROA’s Rule of Law and Security sector, UNDP Afghanistan plays a leading role in facilitating institutional reform and development of MOIA.

UNDP has administered the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) since 2002. LOTFA currently has the following four Thematic Windows: 1) Security; 2) Justice; 3) Anti-Corruption and 4) MOIA Payroll. Under the trust fund structure, each thematic window has its technical working group (TWG) where new projects are vetted and if approved, provided with funding. The TWG will continue to oversee and monitor the progress of the projects under its window to ensure that the projects are implemented following the approved project plans and in a way that achieves intended objectives.  

The Communications Specialist will provide high-level communications support to LOTFA TFMU and project teams, communicating effectively about its activities and progress with donors, stakeholders, and the public, raising awareness and visibility of the role of LOTFA in Afghanistan for greater impact.  The Communications Specialist will work closely with UNDP staff from the Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU), LOTFA stakeholders including donors and partners and will provide overall support to the Trust Fund Manager on internal and external communications.

Organizational Context of the Position:

• Under the direct supervision of the M&E Specialist (P4), the Individual Consultant will provide technical assistance and support in (1) communicating LOTFA’s results, activities, breakthroughs, as well as advice on strategic communications for the Fund; (2) contribute material for active and strong social media presence through multiple platforms managed by UNDP Country Office Communication Unit; (3) produce information/communication products (infographics, reports, stories, videos/photos etc.) to increase the awareness of the Fund’s activities among stakeholders, donors, and the public, (4) keep abreast of latest updates related to the Fund and support knowledge sharing and management among LOTFA and stakeholders. 

The consultant (Communications Specialist) will work closely with a wide range of actors including the LOTFA project teams, UNDP Country Office, implementing partners, other Afghan institutions, and the international community in the country. The consultant will report to the M&E Specialist (P4).

Devoirs et responsabilités

The objectives of the assignment:

As stated above this assignment will have two major objectives:

Reporting and Visibility: Ensure LOTFA’s brand is built through constant communication of its results and progress to its audiences and using the most effective tools and channels including social media to build GIROA and public ownership of LOTFA projects and programmes. This will include providing support to the TFMU in the development and implementation of standardized templates with donor taglines for reporting on events, workshops, training sessions, as applicable.

Information and knowledge sharing: Working together with the TFMU Programme and M&E teams,  ensure that LOTFA M&E plan takes into account the information needs of internal and external audiences and translate the fund-related data into information (by preparing infographics, visuals, graphics, and charts) which will feed into LOTFA workspaces and LOTFA’s micro sites for its dissemination to broader public and development partners. Support with developing a Communications and Visibility Plan, highlighting anticipated communication products and key audience and dissemination methods.

To achieve the above objectives following (but not limited to) activities will have to be undertaken under this assignment which may be changed following the initial stages of consultations with the supervisor.

Tasks:

• Develop a Communication and Visibility Plan aligned with CO and corporate communications strategy.
• Act as the focal point between TFMU and UNDP Country Office (CO) communications team.
• Design and maintain an effective social media presence for LOTFA/TFMU to communicate results.
• Develop and maintain an effective stakeholder engagement approach. Maintain an up-to-date list of LOTFA TFMU stakeholders, guide on their level of influence and interest in the fund and maintain effective relations with all stakeholders to encourage their support to LOTFA programming activities.
• Draft success stories provide inputs for the development of newsletters and website articles for the Fund.
• Provide support to meetings including LOTFA Thematic Working Group (TWG) meetings, Steering Committee meetings, and ad-hoc donor meetings with documenting discussions and communicating with LOTFA donors and stakeholders.
• Liaise with Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) team, Risk Management team, and LOTFA project teams to highlight and ensure visibility of all elements supported by LOTFA.
• Undertake field visits to produce high-quality digital media content (videos and photos) with strong and impactful narratives.
• Liaise with LOTFA projects and the CO communications team to ensure a cooperative approach towards communications and partnership and that TFMU activities are reflected in the online and mass media.
• Provide support during crisis communications and assist the CO communications with LOTFA/TFMU related media enquiries.
• Ensure that latest and up-to-date information is reflected on LOFTA’s public landing page and microsites on UNDP’s country office website.
• Working closely with Data Management Specialist, promote knowledge management and knowledge sharing through maintaining a TFMU communications site with easy access to all LOTFA publication and knowledge resources.
• Produce high-quality photography, videography, and other digital media products for the Fund when needed.
• Contribute to designing, developing, and dissemination of publications including TFMU research and survey reports and CO newsletters.
• Contribute to and ensure timely implementation of the communication and visibility plan.
• Assist TFMU with using corporate data sharing policy and guidelines for fund and project level data and information.
• Support event planning to promote the Fund’s messages among partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
• Any other tasks requested by the Trust Fund Manager, M&E Specialist, and Project Management Specialist.  

Expected Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: 22 working days, 8%

Inception Report containing draft outline of key strategic elements to support the implementation of the Communications and Stakeholders engagement Strategy for the LOTFA TFMU. Inception Report should include work plan on the LOTFA Communications & Stakeholders Engagement and Visibility Plan that includes defined scope of work for potential external vendor/ supplier of communications products if necessary.

Deliverable 2: 22 working days, 8%

Designs and templates for communication products and stakeholder engagement plans. Development and roll-out of branded materials to support communication efforts at TFMU and project levels. Support design and publication of completed assessment and survey reports.

Deliverable 3: 22 working days, 8%

Communication products including website articles and updated web content for the LOTFA landing page are developed. LOTFA public-facing website and donor workspace that is easy to navigate and support a good user-experience are populated using infographics, statistics, and findings from the Fund’s M&E activities. Relevant guidelines/SOPs for effective communication and detailing LOTFA’s communications approach and communications and knowledge management platforms with practical step-by-step instructions developed following guidance from the CO communications team.

Deliverable 4: 195 working days, 76%

Monthly progress reports and the final report on the monthly production of communication products,  implementation of the LOTFA Communication Strategy, and updating of communication products for the TFMU e.g. factsheet and donor contact list, implementation of the TFMU Communications Strategy, and stakeholder engagement plan. Weekly news articles and success stories published on communication sites and social media.

Payment Modality, Schedule, and Percentage:

Payments under the contract will be linked to deliverables and made on receipt of the specific milestones indicated above and including a timesheet according to UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors.

The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations whereupon the Trust Fund Manager of TFMU signs the certification of acceptance.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Institutional Arrangements:

The Communication Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the M&E Specialist and the overall supervision of the Trust Fund Manager. The consultant shall work in close collaboration with other members of TFMU and project teams, Country Office Communication Unit as well as other relevant units within the UNDP Country Office.

TFMU will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support services including transport and security applicable to the consultant. However, the consultant is expected to bring his/her laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (TFMU will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc. shall be covered by TFMU.

Duration of the Work:

Performance of the works under this contract shall be completed within 12 months (with a maximum of 261 working days) after signing the contract, including all preparation works and on-site visits. The target date for the start of the works will be 1 May 2021.

Duty Station

The duty station for the contractor staff in Kabul, Afghanistan although some field visits outside Kabul may be necessary. Before planning field visits, the Contractor shall provide a scope of work for approval. The contractor will follow the working hours and weekends as applicable to UNDP CO staff. The contractor’s movement for meetings and consultations shall be coordinated by the TFMU. The contractor is at all times required to observe UNDP security rules and regulations. 

Compétences

Core competencies:

• Promotes ethics and integrity and creates organizational precedents.
• Builds support and political acumen.
• Builds staff competence and creates an environment of creativity and innovation.
• Builds and promotes effective teams.
• Creates and promotes an environment for open communications.
• Leverages conflict in the interest of UNDP and sets standards.
• Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Academic Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, organizational behavior, business administration, social science, or any other relevant field.

Required expertise and experience:       

• A  minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications and online reporting or related area with a master’s degree or seven years with a bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in managing communications functions in an international organization is desirable
• Experience in strategic communications and developing communication strategies is desirable
• Familiarity with Adobe creative cloud or other software tools in designing and creating data visualization, infographics, presentations, and reports is desirable
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal is a strong advantage.
• Previous experience working with the UN and international development partners is desirable.
• Previous experience of working with government counterparts is desirable
• Wworking experience with diverse and multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing communications sites using Microsoft SharePoint Online or other online platforms is desirable.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral English. The applicant may be asked for a sample of previous publications or work examples in English.
• Knowledge of the local language Dari and/or Pashto is required.

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.  The consultant shall then submit a price proposal when requested by UNDP, in accordance with the below:

1. Daily Fee – The consultant shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of her/his professional fee, local communication costs, and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation). The professional daily fee, all-inclusive of the above elements, shall be paid upon submission of the timesheet. The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 261 working days maximum.
2. Payment schedule - Payments shall be done upon verification of completion of specific reports, deliverables, and approval by the consultant’s supervisor/ LOTFA management.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

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

Technical Criteria weight 70%;

Financial Criteria weight 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (70 marks):

1. General Qualification (15 marks);
2. Experience relevant to the assignment (35 marks);
3. Technical Proposal:  Brief methodology and workplan on how the consultant will approach and complete the work (please see mandatory question on jobs site for inputting response) (20 marks).

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested international Consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

1. 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.
2. Technical Proposal (can be attached with CV or response can be provided to mandatory question on jobs site):
   1. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
3. A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNDP Afghanistan.  UNDP Afghanistan will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

1. Annex 1 - IC Contract Template (for information);
2. Annex 2 -  Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (to be completed at later stage upon request by UNDP);
3. Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions (for information);
4. Annex 4 – RLA Template (if consultant wishes to be recruited through an employer) - (for information).

Note: Incomplete application will result in automatic disqualification of candidate.