Communications Specialist - International consultant

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace, and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The UN Women Syria Programme of the Regional Office for the Arab States works closely with United Nations, government, and civil society partners to increase Syrian women’s engagement in any political process, as part of the larger UN efforts under the framework of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), which recognized the importance of a fully inclusive process that ensures women’s leadership.

Main Objectives and Purpose of the Consultancy

The Communications Specialist will lead the planning and implementation of communication activities and media relations are related to UN Women’s efforts to support Syrian women. The Communications Specialist will collaborate closely with members of the UN Women Syria Team, Regional Office for the Arab States, and Headquarters to ensure that UN Women Syria’s Programme communications activities and media relationships are aligned with corporate policies and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UN Women Syria Programme Manager, The Communications Specialist will perform the following tasks, which are indicative and may evolve depending on the needs of the UN Women Syria Programme:

Lead the development and implementation of communications and outreach/advocacy strategies for the UN Women Syria Programme: Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy strategies, including media strategies; ensure gender perspective; and Integrate communication, advocacy, and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives.

Develop and deliver a “launch series” for flagship gender analysis and research commissioned by UN Women: Design, develop, and implement report “launch series”; plan and deliver at least four report launch events aimed at different audiences; secure appropriate media coverage of the research and key findings; coordinate stakeholders to ensure appropriate levels of participation and attendance; and disseminate research and key findings to stakeholders.

Lead the development and dissemination of communications and advocacy materials for the UN Women Syria Programme: Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels according to UN Women corporate standards; identify and leverage opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners; and develop brochures, factsheets, stories to inform media and stakeholders of UN Women’s Syria Programme’s work to support Syrian women.

Manage external and internal web, social media, and news media relations for the UN Women Syria Programme: Ensure media strategies are implemented in line with corporate and donor guidelines; lead relationship building with relevant press outlets; identify impactful success stories/ issues, media talking points, news-related development and coverage of interest; and pitch and write impactful programme stories for corporate digital and social media platforms (global website, social media channels regularly). Build and maintain communications and advocacy-focused partnerships. Ensure information management, tracking and analytics of online activities.

Deliverables

Time frame

Lead the development and implementation of communications and outreach/advocacy strategy for the UN Women Syria Programme

Communications and outreach strategy created, consulted, and provided

1 October – 1 November 2021

Develop and deliver a “launch series” for flagship gender analysis and research commissioned by UN Women.

At least four launch events delivered

1 Oct 2021 – 31 March 2022

Lead the development and dissemination of communications and advocacy materials for UN Women Syria Programme

Communications and advocacy materials (brochures, briefing documents, press releases, etc) were provided.

1 Oct 2021 – 31 March 2022

Manage external and internal web, social media, and news media relations for the UN Women Syria Programme

Provide samples of media engagement and update report #2 on social media.

1 Oct 2021 – 31 March 2022

Competencies

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of gender issues;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Highly effective organization and planning skills and high attention to detail;
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Team player;
• Strong knowledge and use of computer office tools;
• Excellent drafting and editing skills across a range of reporting formats and requirements.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, media, international relations, international development, gender studies, or a related field is required;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience working in communications, journalism, media, or a related field;
• Experience working in the Arab States Region is required, and experience working in Syria is an advantage;
• Ability to lead and provide strategic communications efforts and guidance, including the ability to undertake public advocacy campaigns;
• Strong expertise in media relations; Strong knowledge of social media platforms, experience in social media outreach, and management of web content;
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken) is required.

Evaluation Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation.

Criteria weight Technical (70%) 70 points:

• University degree: 30 Points
• At least 5years professional experience: 30 Points
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken): 10 Points

Financial: lowest financial proposal (30%):

The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:

• Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical);
• The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula: (Lowest Bid Offered*)/ (Bid of the Consultant) x 30;
• 'Lowest Bid Offered' refers to the lowest price offered by Offerors scoring at least 49 points in the technical evaluation.

Application:

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

• A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy explaining your suitability for the work and previous work portfolio, and ability to meet the requirements, method of engagement, and other relevant information;
• UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
• Personal CV; and Financial proposal; Proposed inclusive daily and lump-sum rate.

The above-mentioned documents should be submitted together, incomplete submission can be a ground for disqualification.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.