UNDP Jobs - 89495- OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Com

OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Communications Specialist Consultant

Location :

Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Jan-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 1 February – 31 October 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 100 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The World Humanitarian Summit was organized in May 2016 to address the scale of human suffering greater than at any time since the Second World War. The Summit generated more than 3,000 commitments to action and launched more than a dozen new partnerships and initiatives to turn the Agenda for Humanity into meaningful change for the world's most vulnerable people.

Leading up to the Summit, consultations with more than 900 companies called for more strategic private sector engagement across disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery. They also called for networks and a mechanism to be created to facilitate coordinated private sector engagement. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a number of partners launched the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) as a response to this demand. CBi is a multi-stakeholder initiative that provides a mechanism for the private sector to engage with the United Nations system, national governments and civil society in a coordinated manner across all stages of disaster management.

CBi is supported by OCHA’s Emergency Response Section in Geneva and UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD). These units collaborate with multiple other global units, as well as regional and country offices of OCHA and UNDP, as well as with many other private sector organizations, UN Agencies, NGOs and governments.

The Connecting Business initiative Communications Specialist Consultant will be based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Consultant will report to the CBi Programme Coordinator in Geneva and UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector in Istanbul. The Consultant will lead the communications efforts of the CBi Secretariat. The activities will be carried out in collaboration with CBi Member Networks, Executive Committee Members, OCHA and UNDP colleagues and other partners.

Read more about CBi at www.connectingbusiness.org, follow CBi Twitter @Connecting_biz and learn more through CBi YouTube videos.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following areas are considered to be within the scope of this consultancy:

Communications:

Review, update and implement a communications strategy and an action plan for CBi as needed. (time allocated for this estimated 20% of total consultancy time)
Map available/existing communications resources and review needs for the CBi Secretariat and networks, identify gaps and plans for development of new tools and resources;
Identify and recommend communications channels, techniques and tools that are the most effective in reaching key audiences;
Produce CBi communications strategy and action plan with clear timelines and milestones, including Key Performance Indicators and a monitoring plan, in consultation with the Programme Coordinator, CBi Secretariat, CBi Member Networks and partners.
Lead the implementation of the communications strategy (time allocated for this estimated 80% of the consultancy time)
Liaise closely with UNDP and OCHA colleagues and CBi Member Networks to collect inputs and ensure a diversity of voices in CBi communications efforts and to feed field results into global communications initiatives;
Reach out actively to CBi Member Networks and provide guidance and support to them to communicate results and impact of their activities.
In line with the strategy ensure the CBi website is kept up to date;
Write news articles, press releases, blog posts, knowledge pieces, and other communications products such as the CBi Newsletter, Annual Report and mid-year achievements updates;
Manage CBi social media presence by developing content for the initiative’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts, and other social media platforms as appropriate;
Organize media campaigns on relevant topics to CBi;
Develop communications products, e.g. digital and print materials, including simple graphic design work in line with CBi visual identity and working with external graphic designers to develop flagship products;
Develop and maintain relevant visual communication materials including video;
Support the organization of events and lead the development of communications materials around them (e.g., UNGA, COP, WEF, country events, webinars, online consultations);
Liaise with news and media outlets to ensure a wide coverage of CBi internationally and in CBi Member Network countries;
Lead CBi media monitoring.
Write internal reports, briefings and talking points for OCHA and UNDP;
Provide updates about CBi in internal communications channels, e.g. Yammer.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the CBi Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the other team members:

Update CBI communications strategy, including Key Performance Indicators and monitoring plan and update them as needed. The communications strategy should connect also to CBi partners’ communications channels and opportunities.
Develop an action plan for implementation of the communications strategy with timeline and milestones and update them as needed.
Implement of the communications strategy and action plan, including media monitoring and following other indicators.
Update the CBi website on a weekly basis; when an emergency occurs in a network country update the website within one working day.
Update CBi social media accounts regularly
Organise CBi global webinars (at least 4 per year).
Develop CBi marketing materials (e.g. brochure with examples from CBi Member Networks, brochures for new CBi work streams on impact measurement and innovation).
Draft news articles, blog posts, case studies or knowledge pieces (including co-authoring with CBi team members, Member Networks and partners).
Develop CBi newsletter and ensure publication on a quarterly basis.
Edit CBi knowledge products
Prepare CBi mid-year achievements report (by July 31) and CBi Annual report (including info-graphs of achievements and impact) by January 30th.
Draft communications material (for instance press releases) and build social media campaigns for major CBi events (e.g. CBi Annual Event, CBi UN General Assembly side event, Climate Conference participation, World Economic Forum).

Many of the activities in this consultancy are ongoing as part of CBi’s annual work plan. To this end, the consultant shall prepare a monthly progress report that will detail all milestones reached, including but not limited to the areas listed above. The CBi Programme Coordinator and UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector shall review and accept these reports, and certify them for payment.

Description of deliverables - Target delivery dates - Payment schedule

Monthly Progress Report 1 - 1 month after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 2 - 2 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 3 - 3 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 4 - 4 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 5 - 5 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 6 - 6 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 7 - 7 months after contract signature - 10%
Monthly Progress Report 8 - 8 months after contract signature - 10%
Final Report - 9 months after contract signature - 20%

Reporting Requirements

The Consultant shall report to the CBi Programme Coordinator in Geneva and the UNDP Global Programme Advisor Private Sector in Istanbul.
The Consultant shall be ready to undertake international travel on behalf of the CBi Secretariat during the assignment period if required and the travel expenses will be covered following UNDP rules and procedures.
The assignment requires full presence in Geneva, Switzerland for the duration of the contract.
Work input: approximately 100 days - 2-3 days per week - schedule to be agreed with supervisor

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Commitment to UNDP and OCHA mission, vision and values;
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional Competencies

Strong communication skills, including writing (both grammar-perfect and purposeful writing), speaking, non-verbal and visual communications;
Leadership skills to catalyze communication within the broader team rather than producing alone;
Strong analytical skills, including ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products with a focus on in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery;
Good project management skills to lead on strategy development and implementation;
Strategic sense for understanding multiple audiences;
Sensitivity to different perspectives and variety of cultures (applied both to written and visual communication);
Ability to function in a diverse, multicultural team environment;
Flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit to deliver outputs under sometimes tight deadlines.

Behavioural Competencies

Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
Ability to seize the moment and capture emerging opportunities;
Strong initiative and confidence to pro-actively reach out to new and existing internal and external partners;
Performance-oriented and focused on results;
Persistence and willingness to follow through;
Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility;
Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job;
Curiosity and desire to work a complex, international environment.
Ability to work in a small team.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Media or other suitable field related to communications. Master's degree in these areas is an advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant national/international working experience in the area of communications
Communication experience in the area of private sector programs and partnerships in development and/or humanitarian would be an added advantage;
Experience working with UN agencies;
Experience in covering issues in developing countries;
Proven record of producing articles, blogs and communications products using software, online platforms and CMS (i.e. InDesign/Photoshop, MailChimp or other HTML editors, Drupal/WordPress, Vizualize and other infographic makers). At least 3 samples of previous work must be provided including at least one written report;
Demonstrated experience in social media management and monitoring: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Hootsuite, Union Metric, etc
Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery would be an added advantage;

Language skills:

Excellent skills in English (native level).
Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be considered an asset.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should 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 (P11/CV desk reviews, writing test and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in desk review will be invited for a written test. Only candidates who will get min. 70% of points in written tests will be invited for a interviews. Only candidates who get min. 70% of points in technical evaluation (includes desk review and interview) will be scored in financial evaluation

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation (includes desk review, written test and interview) – max. 70 points:

Criteria A - Desk review - Education – max. 5 points
Criteria B - Desk review - Relevant national/international working experience in the area of communications– max. 10 points
Criteria C - Desk review - Experience working with UN agencies and international organizations – max. 5 points
Criteria D - Desk review - Experience in covering issues in developing countries – max. 5 points
Criteria E - Desk review – samples - Proven record of producing articles, blogs and communications products using software, online platforms and CMS (i.e. InDesign/Photoshop, MailChimp or other HTML editors, Drupal/WordPress, Vizualize and other infographic makers). At least 3 samples of previous work must be provided including at least one written report – max. 10 points
Criteria F - Written tests: max. 10 points
Criteria G - Interviews - Communication experience in the area of private sector programs and partnerships in development and/or humanitarian would be an added advantage– max. 7 points
Criteria H - Interviews - Demonstrated experience in social media management and monitoring: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Hootsuite, Union Metric, etc – max. 3 points
Criteria I - Interviews - Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery would be an added advantage – max. 5 points
Criteria J - Interviews - language and communications skills: max. 10 points

Please ensure that your experience related to criteria A-E and above mentioned competencies is very well documented in your P11/CV and cover letter.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation (max points 30).

Application procedures

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11/CV form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
(blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);
At least 3 samples of previous work must be provided including at least one written report authored/coauthored by the candidate (sample can be submitted as .pdf or provided as web links in the Publications section of P11 form (section 22) or within additional questions of the applications).

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

It is highly recommended that potential candidates review the Swiss Tax and social service requirements and take them into consideration in your financial proposal. Further information can be found at https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non%20fonctionnaires%20et%20stagiaires.html

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: https://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Existing literature and further information to get a better understanding of the work can be found from www.connectingbusiness.org .