UNDP Recruits Communications Consultant - Abuja

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Communications Consultant

Location: Abuja
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 Month with possibility of Extension

Background
As the lead agency of the UN Development Group, UNDP coordinates global and national efforts for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In collaboration with national authorities, it coordinates the yearly production of Nigeria’s Millennium Development Report.
The key programmatic focus areas are:

• Inclusive and legitimate politics
• Sub-national governance and development
• Justice, human rights, and rule of law
• Gender
• Capacity development
• Poverty and the environment

Promoting UNDP Nigeria coherent approach to programming and messaging is a major priority for the Country Office. It seeks to position UNDP as a trusted, credible and coherent partner vis a vis national and international partners, media, and general audiences in donor countries, as well as in Nigeria.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Country Director, the Communications consultant will support the implementation of the UNDP corporate communications and publication strategies with a view to influencing the development agenda and position the Nigeria Country Office in key development markets as a thought leader in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities.
The Communications consultant will work in close collaboration with the communications staff of the country office and with the program team in order to ensure a successful UNDP communication strategy implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:

• UNDP positioned as a coherent, credible and trusted development partner in Nigeria by developing and implementing a well thought out communications strategy, in line with corporate guidelines.
• Success stories of UNDP Programme activities produced for publication in the Global Corporate website and Country Office Newsletter (at least two success stories per quarter).
• All communications products are well presented, results focused, informative, clear and concise.
• Propose a framework for regular contact with international and national media established and effective use of electronic social media ensured.
• CO’s website updated regularly with relevant and current project-related information.
• UNDP Nigeria established as an active user of social media tools, reaching out to a wide audience.
• UNDP Nigeria fully integrated into the global UNDP communication network, taking advantage of communication resources at HQ and at the Regional Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the UNDP Nigeria Country Director and in close collaboration with the partnership team, programme unit heads, the communications unit and project managers, the Communication consultant develops and implements the Country Office’s Communication Strategy--based on UNDP’s global communication strategy--aiming at positioning UNDP as a coherent, credible, transparent and trusted development partner.

• He/she supports the UNDP communication team in the Country Office and coordinates all outreach through regular meetings with members of the Communication Cluster--an extensive internal network of project-based communication and reporting focal points--ensuring coherent UNDP outreach to both national and international audiences.
• Works closely with the Partnerships Adviser in order to ensure synergy in donor/partner outreach and communication needs.
• Ensures that all UNDP communication products are well presented, results focused, informative, clear and concise, as well as compliant with corporate guidelines and formats.
• As a key member of the UN Communications Group, positions UNDP strategically within the UN System.
• Maintains regular contact with international and national media and proactively ensures strategic and timely outreach to media.
• Plays an instrumental role in reputation management whenever required, in close cooperation with senior management in the Country Office.
• Oversees the CO’s website and makes sure it contains relevant and current project-related information.
• Ensures effective use of social media, especially Facebook and Twitter.
• Supports a close working relationship with the Regional Communication Adviser for mentoring, guidance and support to achieve key communications goals.

Impact of Results:
The key results impact positively on the execution of the CO UNDAF support to Nigeria.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Advocates and 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

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas
• Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas
• Develops deep knowledge in Practice Areas
• Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills,
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to elaborate and implement communications and publications strategies
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing media campaigns, including well-written information about UNDP, its objectives and activities.
• Ability to effectively manage an advocacy campaign
• Demonstrates excellent ability to communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism
• Ability to effectively plan
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates strong IT skills

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in communications, media relations, journalism, publishing
• 10 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy. Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory.
• Skills in training, process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership-building.
• Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, newsletters, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.
• Ability to work harmoniously with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the communications and reporting culture and system in Nigeria.
• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
• Excellent spoken English is also required.

Document to be included when submitting proposal- (All Document for submission including the financial proposal can be saved as a single file for upload)
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications

Proposal

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
• Provide a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)
• Evidence of similar assignment implemented in the last 3 years

Financial proposal

• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects with detailed contacts relating to the project and at least 3 references
• Financial Proposal detailing your lump sum fee for the entire assignment All consultant must indicate the currency of their financial proposal but Local Consultants must use local currency (Naira)

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 instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. Your financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. All travels shall be refunded by UNDP at economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she shall do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets (economy class), lodging and terminal expenses shall be paid at UNDP rate.

Individual Consultants responding to this request for Individual Consultant should use the Price Schedule table below in their submission:

Evaluation
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the individual consultants’ proposals.
Education – 20 marks
Experience – 60 marks

Evaluation
There will be a two stage evaluation as follows:

• Technical Criteria weight; [70]
• Financial Criteria weight; [30]

Stage One (Technical Evaluation of Proposals) - All Individual Consultants proposals comprising the information/documentation provided will be evaluated to ascertain the suitability of the individual consultants to carry out the assignment. Candidates who obtain the minimum pass score of 70% of the full mark (100) will be considered technically compliant and their financial evaluations will be evaluated thereafter.
Stage Two (Financial Evaluation) – The financial proposals of all the individual consultants who obtain 70% at stage one of the evaluation will be evaluated.

Only candidates that obtain a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. The maximum 30 points all be allotted to the lowest financial bid, all other bids shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fee e.g. [30 Points] x [Naira lowest] / [Naira other] = points for other proposer’s fees

The award of contract shall be based on the individual consultant who receives the highest cumulative score.

Application Closing Date
26th February 2013

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here To Apply Online