The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is seeking a communications consultant to support the implementation of its communication and outreach activities.

HDRO produces annually the editorially independent, global Human Development Report for UNDP. Since inception in 1990 the report has acted as a highly visible and influential people-centered contribution to development thinking. Each edition is launched around the world by UNDP offices as contributions to public debate and policy making at national and global levels; picked up by global and national media, and the analysis – and annually updated human development indices and data sets are used by governments, civil society and development partners in their policy formulation and advocacy. 

Throughout the year, HDRO also seeks to promote the human development concept and approach to analysis and policy making through outreach, including via social media and blogs to influential stakeholders, through engagement with strategic networks and by convening and participating in expert and high-visibility events.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Communications Specialist at HDRO, the candidate is anticipated to function in all the areas listed below. Work will be distributed as appropriated.

Launch of the 2019 Human Development Report

Support the implementation of the communication strategy for the launch and dissemination of the 2019 Human Development Report, including:

• Support the organization of pre-launch substantive briefings for relevant UNDP staff including Country Offices and Reginal Hubs;
• Develop and edit supporting and communication materials and for these meetings and ensure timely dissemination;
• Support the organization of the global launch event including, identifying the venue and managing logistics and organizational matters.
• Develops supporting materials including invitations, concept note, agenda, program for the event, preparation of panelist kit and invitees’ folders, etc.;
• Maintains a roster list of planned launches at the regional and national levels
• Support joint work with the Bureaus of External Relations and Advocacy and their representative offices on high profile launches in countries without UNDP country offices;
• Support media outreach, including the organization of media briefings. Supports media follow up on interviews and media request.
• Support the preparation and copy-edit a wide range of communication materials related with the launch for the 2019 HDR: media advisories, press releases, speeches, PTTs, etc.
• Prepare a comprehensive social media toolkit including a wide range of multimedia materials. Support the coordination with UNDP’s social media team.
• Ensure the timely launch of embargo media site, media advisories, and press releases.
• Update relevant data bases related with the launch of the report- internal UNDP focal points, participants at regional and thematic consultations, media, key stakeholders – and leverage their potential role as amplifiers for the launch.

Launch of the 2019 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

• Support the organization of the Global Launch Event including, identifying the venue and managing logistics and organizational matters.
• Develops supporting materials including invitations, concept note, agenda, program for the event, preparation of panelist kit and invitees’ folders, etc.;
• Support the follow up with invited panelist and secure their appropriate briefing.
• Support the draft and copy edits communication materials related to the 2019 MPI.
• Prepares a comprehensive social media toolkit for the launch of the MPI, including multimedia materials.

Ongoing communications: editorial and events:

• Supports the ongoing outreach with key audiences through weekly communication through the monthly Human Development Newsletter and Dialogue Blog.
• Supports the visibility of Human Develop Report Office and the Office Director through social media (drafting of messages, preparation of multimedia materials) and ensure timely updates.
• Regularly updates HDRO’s Communications calendar.
• Compiles press clippings and conducts a quantitative and qualitative media impact analysis.
• Support the organization of high-level events or communication initiatives during key moments such as the UN General Assembly and the SDG Summit.

Corporate Competencies:

• Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Ethics and Values: Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity
• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative
• Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments and have a consistent behavior towards others
• Conflict Management: Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge

Functional Competences

• Excellent oral and writing skills
• Efficiency, accuracy, organizational skills, self-management, ability to prioritize, and attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to timely delivery of projects
• Ability to work with cooperatively in a multicultural and international environment
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in media relations, journalism, publishing, international relations or similar disciplines or related field of expertise.

Work Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant work experience in the field of public relations, media and/or communications at the national or international level.
• Experience in media and social media outreach highly desirable;
• Prior experience in the UNDP and/or other UN Agencies will be an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English.
• Writing skills and verbal fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Technical requirements:

• Solid experience in using new technologies, web-based platforms and social media networks; familiarity with html is a plus.
• Expertise in the use of social networking tools.
• Some knowledge of Adobe Indesign Illustrator and/or Photoshop desirable.

Other desirable education and work experience:

• Working experience in the field of development and familiarity with development terminology and concepts would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with Human Development Report desirable.
• Experience working with the media and social media a plus.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on UNDP’s cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria.

The criteria which shall serve as basis for evaluating offers will be a combined scoring method as follows:

• Technical (based on CV/ desk review and/or interview) – 70%
• Financial (fee) proposal (30%)

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. For those offers considered in the financial evaluation, the lowest price offer will receive 30 points. The other offers will receive points in relation to the lowest offer, based on the following formula: (PI / Pn)* 30 where Pn is the financial offer being evaluated and Pl is the lowest financial offer received.

Application procedures:

• Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised consultancy.  Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
• Signed CV that includes your past experience in similar projects and contact details of references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document (named CV).