• Demonstrated understanding of the international development agenda
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective communication skills – proficient writing and speaking skills, correctly interpret messages, two-way communication, openness to share information and information exchange
• Ability to work with a diverse team to achieve common goals and results
• Demonstrate technological awareness and willingness to learn regarding new advancements in technology
• Ability to formulate new ideas and display creativity in development and implementation of programmes

Scope of Work

Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, and in close consultation with the team at UNRCO, the Programme Communications Officer will strengthen the UN Maldives communications efforts in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Programme Communications Officer will provide technical support in developing content to communicate effectively with public messaging and increasing outreach, especially to the most vulnerable groups across the country. Additionally, the Programme Communications Officer will provide support to maintain media relations and organize and implement upcoming events/initiatives.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Participates in advocacy and communications in support of programmes and events

• Assist the UNRCO team in designing, implementing and monitoring the assigned elements of the UN joint advocacy and communications strategy while promoting the UNSDCF.
• Prepare inputs for the UNRCO team on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda and SDGs
• Develop regular content for public messaging and media outreach and assist the UNRCO team in management of social media and media communications with a participatory approach
• Provide support to upcoming events and initiatives 

Provides support for digital communications

• Assists in maintaining digital external platforms such as the UN social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts etc.)
• Participates in the development and implementation of digital content and contributes to the development of key communication products (e.g., human-interest stories, photography, video, animations, etc.)

Assists in media relations

• Assists in maintaining working relationships with the media in key national news outlets and updating relevant changes to the media list
• Assist with coordinating with the media to increase advocacy and outreach of the UN’s role in the country and the 2030 Agenda
• Assist with preparation of official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations

Duration of the Assignment

3 months 

Institutional Arrangement

The UN Resident Coordinators Office will provide the necessary support to the consultant in advocacy efforts in support of UN programmes and events and provide necessary input to the consultant to strengthen UN digital communications and media relations

Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

The consultant will be working as per local health protection guidelines. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the support will be mainly provided remotely through virtual and electronic means. Depending on the evolving situation, limited travel to the Atolls might be a possibility.

PAYMENT TERMS

The method of payment is output-based lump-sum scheme. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive lump sum and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

The payments shall be released upon submitting the required deliverables/outputs with satisfactory by Aminath Jala Zuhury, Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer at the UNRCO as per agreement for each report in accordance with a set time schedule to be agreed in the contract.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel, honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area or Bachelor’s degree with 2 or more years of relevant experience

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive experience post-Bachelor’s degree in programme communications and advocacy or project management in the context of development cooperation or a related area
• Experience in content development for public messaging 
• Experience and organizing and implementing relevant events / initiatives
• Experience in coordination and maintaining partnerships

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Dhivehi

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 a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

•            Criteria 1: Required educational qualification and minimum of 2 years experience in programme communications, advocacy / related area (20 points)

•            Criteria 2: Previous experience in working in communications, content development, event management and implementation of initiatives (30 points)

•            Criteria 3: Previous experience working in development-related or humanitarian fields (20 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) during the desk review/interview are acceptable would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP in Annex II;
2. 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;
3. Financial proposal that indicates the lump sum rate/fee of the candidate in Maldivian Rufiyya (or USD in the case of international consultant).  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must include a breakdown of this daily fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment); 

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.  The short-listed candidates may be contacted for interview and the successful candidate will be notified.