Background

Purpose

To provide social-media communication support to the group Journalists against Violence established by UNDP Serbia.

Objective

To increase awareness and understanding among the journalists, media professionals and the general public about violence against women and contribute to creation of engaging and sharable online content while transferring key communication messages of the group Journalists against Violence.

Background Information

For over a decade, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Serbia has  supported and cooperated with national partners, including governmental bodies, institutions, independent bodies, civil society organizations and the media in creating a society that does not tolerate violence against women.

Despite positive changes and significant efforts invested in setting up institutional response to violence against women and the government’s commitments to address the issue, prevention and protection from gender-based violence is being profoundly  challenged. These challenges are also reflected in public discourse stressing the importance of traditional family values at the expense of women survivors of violence. Social norms generally condone gender inequality and violence against women, but prioritization and investment in prevention and support services is  low.

UNDP interventions in the area of prevention and protection of women from violence, recognize the significance and role of media in creating a non-violent society.

Work with media is implemented through two UNDP-led projects – Integrated Response to Violence against Women and Girls in Serbia III and Reduce Risk-Increase Safety – Towards Ending SALW Misuse in the Context of Domestic Violence. Work with media within both projects is based on encouraging media to take an active role in the prevention of  violence against women, through ethical and quality media reporting.

To date, UNDP’s work with the media includes implementation of training and work with media professionals, contributing to a notable presence of the issue of violence against women in media reports. Additionally, UNDP has supported the establishment of the group Journalists against Violence, now gathering over 90 media editors and journalists dedicated to improving media reporting and contributing to prevention of violence against women. The group developed  Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Reporting on Violence against Women, and  Analysis of media coverage of firearm misuse for  violence against women committed by men. Additionally, the group regularly monitors media reporting based on gender-sensitive indicators and prepares monthly analyses of media reporting on violence against women. So far, two analyses have been conducted for the period January-December 2019 and for the period January-December 2020. The group also publicly reacts to  gender discriminatory practices in the media and public life and has significantly contributed to the visibility of the issue of violence affecting women journalists captured in the Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on combating violence against women journalists. The significance of the group’s work was also confirmed through the receipt of the Women’s Courage Award of the AVON Company.

Key messages of the group are communicated with the wider public, inter alia, via social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – Novinarke protiv nasilja prema zenama).

Having in mind the growing activities of the group Journalists against Violence that require communication support, UNDP Serbia is seeking to engage a Digital Media Specialist who will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Gender Equality Portfolio Manager and in cooperation with members of the group Journalists against Violence, and UNDP Serbia Communications Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

1. Analise social media content and outreach of the group Journalist against Violence and propose communication and social media strategic plan to improve traffic and engagement, adjust approach and content as needed, and boost impact on different target groups in communicating key messages of the group;
2. Liaise with UNDP Gender Equality Portfolio Manager, UNDP Communications Team and members of the group Journalists against Violence to develop and propose social media content that will promote key activities of the group in 2021 that are currently being  developed– revised Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Media Reporting on Violence against Women, Analysis of  media reporting of violence against women for 2020 and first six months of 2021, Journalists against Violence branded training modules on ethical media reporting and web-site of the group;
3. Liaise with UNDP Gender Equality Portfolio Manager, UNDP Communications Team and members of the group Journalists against Violence to identify relevant content that will be regularly shared via the group’s social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and provide inputs for visuals and written content adapted to different audiences, as well as inputs to boost impact on different target groups;
4. Develop weekly social media work-plans (submitted every Thursday in the week) with a proposal of content and key messages (at least 3 posts per week via FB, Instagram and Twitter) to be communicated that contribute to changing perceptions among the public and media on the dangers of firearms misuse in the context of gender-based violence and address attitudes related to violence against women and masculinity promoting use of firearms and publish content regularly, according to accepted plans;
5. Report on traffic and engagement and provide recommendation for improvements

Deliverables and Timeline

The above time frames may change and may be modified during the process of implementation due to overall context challenges.

UNDP will provide advice to the consultant, provide knowledge products and data that could be shared via networks, provide support in coordination of communication and review and decide on the acceptance of the deliverables.  The consultant will be given access to the social media networks of the group Journalists against violence (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), through which content will be communicated. The consultant will be provided assistance by UNDP and the group in regularly responding to messages sent to the group’s social media networks. The consultant will be also be provided support in designing more complex visual elements for content to be published. The consultant is not responsible for making any payments related to the dissemination of published content (boosting).

All deliverables, including content to be shared via social media networks by the consultant will have to be quality reviewed and approved/accepted by the UNDP Gender Equality Portfolio Manager, in consultation with, when needed, the UNDP Serbia Communications Team.

The consultant is responsible and accountable for the quality of the products. The consultant is also responsible for organizing office space, administrative support, paying telecommunications bills and printing working documents.

The criteria of utility, credibility, and relevance/appropriateness will be used for assessing the quality of the reviewed deliverables:

• Deliverable has to be written in clear language (Serbian)
• The information has to be complete, well-structured and well presented
• The information has to be reliable i.e. well documented and with supported findings
• The information has to address priority or strategic information needs
• Human rights and gender equality perspective have to be taken into account

Competencies

• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Uses tools for creating simple visual elements for content to be published;
• Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams;
• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow-up activities;
• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback;
• Serbian language speaking and particularly strong writing skills;
• English language speaking and writing skills would be considered an asset;
• Ability to multitask, organize work and respect deadlines;
• Possesses attention to detail;
• Team player;
• Great interpersonal and communication skills;
• Curiosity and ability to continually learn new things, and readily adapt to change;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards. Displays a high degree of motivation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• High school diploma is required. A Bachelor’s degree in communications, (digital) arts, public relations, journalism, marketing, philology or a related social science would be considered a strong asset.
• Additional Digital media/Video/Photography-related formal or informal education would be considered an asset.

Work experience:

• Three years of work experience in digital media.
• Previous experience in social media network management (for business purposes) is an asset.
• Previous experience in efficient use of digital platforms, content management and community engagement, more precisely
  • to capture and convey communication message through short text
  • To write concise and engaging content for digital media.

Language

• Fluency in Serbian.
• Good knowledge of English.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

VII. Application Procedure

Qualified and interested candidates are asked to submit their applications via UNDP Web site: UNDP in Serbia under section “Jobs” no later than 24 August 2021.

Application should include: 

• CV in English language containing date of birth, contact information (home address, phone number, e-mail) and timeline of work experience (including description of duties);
• Offeror’s Letter (only PDF format will be accepted) confirming Interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment. Can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.undp.org.rs/download/ic/Confirmation.docx. The Offeror’s Letter shall include financial proposal specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement with a breakdown of costs.

In order to apply please merge above listed documents into a single PDF file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.

Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the e-mail vacancy.rs@undp.org. The procuring UNDP entity will respond by standard electronic mail and will send response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

The shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide copies of diplomas and any other certificates providing evidence of their education and experience in relevant fields.

Financial Proposal:

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

 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.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should 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 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 would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

*Experience related to the above criteria should be listed in the CV or provided as an annex to the CV (e.g. link to published texts, social media or other content developed, list of previous clients, social media/campaigns led, list of relevant activities/research participated in, etc.).

Additional Information:

• Individual Contract (IC) will be applicable for individual consultants applying in their own capacity.  If the applicant is employed by any legal entity, IC would be issued upon submission of Consent letter from the employer acknowledging the engagement with UNDP. Template of General Conditions on IC could be found on: https://rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/downloads/General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf
• Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) will be applicable for applicants employed by any legal entity. Template of RLA with General Terms and Conditions could be found on: https://www.undp.org.rs/download/RLA%20with%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions.doc. In the case of engagement of Civil servants under IC contract modality a no-objection letter should be provided by the Government entity. The ‘no-objection’ letter must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status (if applicable), and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any. If the previous is not applicable ‘leave-without-pay’ confirmation should be submitted.

Engagement of Government Officials and Employees

• Government Officials or Employees are civil servants of UN Member States.  As such, if they will be engaged by UNDP under an IC which they will be signing in their individual capacity (i.e., engagement is not done through RLA signed by their Government employer), the following conditions must be met prior to the award of contract:

(i)       A “No-objection” letter in respect of the individual is received from the Government employing him/her, and;

(ii)     The individual must provide an official documentation from his/her employer formally certifying his or her status as being on “official leave without pay” for the duration of the IC.

• The above requirements are also applicable to Government-owned and controlled enterprises and well as other semi/partially or fully owned Government entities, whether or not the Government ownership is of majority or minority status.  

UNDP recognizes the possibility that there are situations when the Government entity employing the individual that UNDP wishes to engage is one that allows its employees to receive external short-term consultancy assignments (including but not limited to research institutions, state-owned colleges/universities, etc.), whereby a status of “on-leave-without-pay” is not required.  Under such circumstance, the individual entering into an IC with UNDP must still provide a “No-objection” letter from the Government employing him/her.  The “no objection” letter required under (i) above must also state that the employer formally certifies that their employees are allowed to receive short-term consultancy assignment from another entity without being on “leave-without-pay” status, and include any conditions and restrictions on granting such permission, if any.  The said document may be obtained by, and put on record of, UNDP, in lieu of the document (ii) listed above.