Background

UNDP provides policy and technical advisory support to the Government of Malaysia in accordance to the Country Programme Action Plan 2016 - 2020 approved by the Cabinet in March 2018. The Country Programme Action Plan is aligned to the development priorities of the 11th Malaysia Plan with sustainable human development agenda at the forefront, underpinned by two priority areas: (a) inclusive development and growth; (b) sustainable and resilient development; and (c) governance.

 

Currently, UNDP Malaysia Country Office is supporting the design and implementation of a portfolio of sustainable and resilient development projects in Malaysia focusing on environmental governance, biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change, energy, disaster risk reduction & resilient, environmental finance and nature-based development solutions. Details may be referred on UNDP website at http://www.my.undp.org/.   

 

External communication is critical to help UNDP Malaysia achieve its new Strategic Plan goals, contributing to raising the organization’s profile, influencing policy, engaging stakeholders, mobilizing resources and increasing impact for governments and communities.

 

With this, UNDP Malaysia would like to procure the service of the Content Writer to enrich our digital platforms to increase public accessibility and program outreach through strategic use of the UNDP Malaysia website, digital media, and social media platform to engage with stakeholders and promote greater understanding of UNDP’s area of work.

 

Digital content and engagement will reinforce UNDP Malaysia’s leadership as a credible voice for people and with people. While UNDP Malaysia’s website mainly targets policy makers and the general public, in order to engage with a wider audience, the social media platform needs to be strengthened to attract attention and encourage two-way communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the overall guidance of the team, the Content Writer will work closely with the Communications team and/or Programme team to produce enriching engaging content for UNDP Malaysia’s platforms. In particular, the consultant will conduct thorough research on industry-related topics and generate ideas for new content types in support of UNDP Malaysia’s work, with a flair for producing online content and have an eye for details. Ultimately, the Content Writer is expected to deliver quality writing pieces, short and snappy snippets that appeals to UNDP Malaysia’s target audience and boost awareness.

The Content Writer will be responsible to develop content that is designed to strengthen the relationship for our digital platforms including websites, blogs, social media, and email.

General responsibilities include:

  • Develop engaging and compelling content for a variety of audiences in support of differing objectives
  • Assists in the development of content strategy
  • Leverages knowledge of marketing communications strategy across all channels including print, web, social media, mobile, and video
  • Researches, writes, edits, and publishes materials including speeches for digital platforms that are captivating and search engine optimisation (SEO) friendly
  • Uses working knowledge of SEO and tactics to improve website traffic generation
  • Creates digital and print marketing tools including dynamic emails, websites, blog posts, images, and videos that enhance communication efforts
  • Enforces brand tone and voice guidelines for all digital content and copy
  • Guarantees the quality of site, email, and digital content to ensure copy, images, hyperlinks, and other assets meet branding guidelines and are fully functional
  • Assumes accountability for the accuracy and integrity of content
  • Ensure timely delivery of materials within a short turn-around time

 

EXPECTED OUTPUT AND DELIVERABLES

FINAL PRODUCTS

Examples of deliverables are:

  • Infographics
  • Visuals and content for social media campaigns
  • Short vlogs
  • Blog posts
  • Posters, factsheets, social media cards
  • Design for project’s presentations
  • E-Newsletter
  • Written articles for the purpose of UNDP Malaysia’s website use which may include basic event photography to support article
  • Custom photo editing (restoration, noise reduction, tonal adjustment)

 

Deliverables will be required to be produced in a variety of formats including for digital and print distribution, depending on the needs of the project.

 

If and when any of the above services will be required, UNDP and consultant will agree on work input, number of working days necessary and deadline prior to commencement of work. Detailed specifications for each individual assignment will be given to the Content Writer as and when services are requested.

For each agreed assignment the contractor will:

  1. Develop creative text-based and visual content (audience-centric content) to build awareness and engagement and achieve strategic priorities of UNDP Malaysia. With communications objectives in mind, maintain a 6-month editorial calendar for digital communications
  2. Edit and optimize content to support the digital communication efforts of UNDP Malaysia’s efforts, which includes curating and editing blog pieces with an SEO driven approach
  3. Work closely with the Communications Associate(s) to research and produce a monthly newsletter promoting UNDP Malaysia’s work in order to increase engagement and grow the supporter base
  4. Measure UNDP Malaysia web and social media performance in order to identify actionable insights
  5. Perform other duties as needed to ensure the healthy functioning of UNDP’s digital communications ecosystem
  6. Propose new storytelling formats and media to carve new qualified audiences and expand reach.

The final products will meet UNDP standards and requirements, including following the UNDP Brand Manual and publications policy.

 

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: 

  • The overall objective of setting up these Framework Agreements is to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNDP will hire the services of Content Writer once there are specific assignments over the next 3 years;
  • Estimated volume of services: maximum of US$24,000 over the 2-year duration of the Framework Agreement; 
  • UNDP does not warrant that any quantity of services will be purchased during the term of the Framework Agreement as this will depend on forthcoming needs;
  • The initial Framework Agreement would be for one year with an option for renewal in subsequent years dependent on demand for service. satisfactory performance evaluation and availability of funding;
  • The Framework Agreements to be signed with the consultants will be for a fixed all-inclusive daily fee;
  • Retention of the same rates as agreed with the UNDP during the Contract validity, except when the rates will be reduced without a reduction in the scope and quality of services;
  • Once the Framework Agreement is signed, if there is a specific assignment, the focal person at UNDP Communications team and/or Programme team would contact the Consultant by email informing them of the assignment specific deliverables, and timeline;
  • Assignments will be assigned based on technical scores ,availability and specific expertise for the assignment
  • The consultant must advise within 48 hours whether they are available to deliver the requested service;
  • Thereafter a Purchase Order will be raised. Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of the Framework Agreement through the transmitted email and purchase order;
  • IC as a Framework agreement is non-exclusive (i.e. it does not prohibit UNDP from entering into another such framework agreement with another individuals or entities);
  • The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
  • The Consultant will be responsible for providing their own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
  • Payments will be made upon submission of certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Supervisor of outputs delivered

 

Financial proposal

The consultant must send a financial proposal based on a Daily Rate.

The consultant shall quote an “all-inclusive” Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all cost (professional fees, communications, consumables, insurance etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal.

Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period.

If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) will be arrange by UNDP Malaysia. 

In general, UNDP shall 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 event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed. Travel costs shall be reimbursed based on UNDP Travel Policy. 

Competencies

Corporate

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, and values
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity, and adaptability
  • Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity
  • Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgement
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

 

Technical

  • Knowledge of popular digital platforms (e.g. : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), modalities and techniques in web, social media and mobile communications
  • Proficiency in multiplatform paid media campaigns spanning across the digital and social ecosystem
  • Understanding of international development; international relations; or environmental and/or other relevant issues is a significant advantage
  • Exceptional skills in grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and vocabulary
  • Efficiency, accuracy, organization skills, dependability, and attention to detail
  • Familiarity with the United Nations Editorial Manual and the UNDP Style Manual is an asset
  • Demonstrated commitment to the timely delivery of projects
  • Ability to maintain high-quality work while meeting tight deadlines and short turn-around times

 

Functional

Client orientation, Professionalism, and Communications

  • Ability to make news and useful ideas work
  • Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade, and transform
  • Capable of working in a high-pressure environment with sharp deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously
  • Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to hander confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner

Required Skills and Experience

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia

 

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Communication Studies, Journalism, Mass Communications, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields.

 

Experience:

  • Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience as an English-language content writer and/or public relations at the national and/or international level in communication and advocacy, public relations and/or journalism.
  • Demonstrated experience working with and proven knowledge and understanding of media, multimedia and social media
  • Working experience with private sector is an asset
  • Previous experience working on communications and outreach that relate to sustainable development, environmental and/or biodiversity issues is an advantage.
  • Experience in producing communications products like infographics, short video clips, Twitter and Facebook posts preferred.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Publisher etc.) and advance knowledge of presentation and graphic design software/platforms (Adobe InDesign, Canva, Piktochart) preferred.

 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

  1. Document 1 : Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP;
  2. Document 2: Cover page (max. 2 pages):
    • A brief description of why the candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and
    • Sample work done (minimum 3 and maximum of 6) most relevant for the consultancy.
  3. Document 3: Personal CV / P11  including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
  4. Please submit this information in one file as Document 1, 2, and 3.
  5. Candidates who fail to submit all the information requested above will be disqualified.
  6. Please do not include your financial proposal at this stage. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a financial proposal.

 

Technically qualified candidates may be invited for a competency-based interview where pass/fail of assessment will apply. 


How to Apply:

  • Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
  • Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
  • Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
  • Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
  • For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2020/032" as the subject matter.

 

Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

           Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNDP and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter                   makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments

  • The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download 

 

 Kindly note that the system will only accept one attachment , please merge all documents and submit as one file.

 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:

 

a) Technical proposal including educational background and experience on similar assignments will be weighted a max. of 70% (700 points). The evaluation criteria are:

Desk Review of Technical Criteria as Evident in the submitted application (500 points)

  • Criteria 1: Relevance of educational background (75 points)

  • Criteria 2: Possess at least five (5) years of as an English-language content writer and/or public relations at the national and/or international level in communication and advocacy, public relations and/or journalism.  (125 points)

  • Criteria 3: Experience in producing communications products like infographics, short video clips, Twitter and Facebook posts with demonstrated experience in the usage of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Publisher etc.) and advance knowledge of presentation and graphic design software/platforms (Adobe InDesign, Canva, Piktochart). (100 points)

  • Criteria 4: Demonstrated experience working with and proven knowledge and understanding of media, multimedia and social media. (100 points)

  • Criteria 5: Previous experience working on communications and outreach that relates to sustainable development, environmental and/or biodiversity issues (50 points)

  • Criteria 6: Have a working knowledge of UN and UNDP communication products (50 points)

 

Interview (200 points)

The total obtainable score on the interview is 200 points, bringing the total points for the technical evaluation to a maximum of 700 points. A minimum 140 (70% of total points obtainable during the interview) points are required to pass the interview

Only those candidates who obtain a total technical score of 490 points and above (out of 700 points)  on the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation and will be asked to submit a financial proposal.

 

b) Financial evaluation will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.

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

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. Only short-listed candidates may be contacted, and successful candidates will be notified.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, aboriginal groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.