COVID-19 Communications and Advocacy 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.

The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019. Since then a global pandemic has been declared, with countries across the globe mobilizing to respond to the health crisis and manage the significant socio-economic impacts. This unprecedented crisis unfolds against many existing challenges: Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world, and it is facing the ever-pressing threats of climate change and many large protracted crises and conflict. It is also unfolding amid persistent gender inequalities in the region: owing to structural inequalities and discriminatory gender norms, women’s employment is concentrated in the informal labour sector with limited protection, and women experience unacceptably high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV).

UN Women is working to ensure that women and girls, especially those most marginalised, are at the centre of COVID-19 prevention. In the Philippines, the project “Women and Girls at the Center of COVID-19 Prevention” aims to increase women’s capacities, resources and skills to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities at risk, allow women’s groups and networks to influence and contribute to gender-responsive policies on COVID-19, and leverage national and regional platforms to advance research and tools to inform inclusive and gender-responsive national and regional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for socio-economic responses.

Reporting to the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action based in the Philippines, the COVID-19 Communications and Advocacy Consultant is responsible for building the capacity of the implementing partner organizations (based in Metro Manila, Cebu and Mindanao) on communication and advocacy related to the programme, supporting the development of the communication and advocacy materials, and aligning their work with the national/regional campaign of the programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the consultancy is to work with the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action who is managing the “Women and Girls at the Center of COVID-19 Prevention” programme, its implementing partners and UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific to support the development of communication/advocacy materials to engage with the beneficiaries and various stakeholders.

In light of this, the consultant will perform the following tasks.

• Support the development of communication/advocacy materials to engage with the beneficiaries, specifically:
  • Development and design of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials related to the programme;
  • Social media content creation targeting the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the project.
• Support the development of communication/advocacy assets for various stakeholders, specifically:
  • Support the identification and development of human-interest stories for the project;
  • Support the Programme Analyst in drafting opinion-editorials and articles, and disseminating to the media.
• Capacity building of implementing partners on communications, specifically the following:
  • Support the partners on the development of IEC materials for the project, including designing and obtaining appropriate sign-offs;
  • Support partners on the use of media and social media software, applications and communications tools to engage with beneficiaries and various stakeholders.
  • Support partners on communications planning, including social media post creation.
• Liaise with UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and its partner to ensure the alignment of national/regional campaign and message development

Expected Outputs/Deliverables:

The duration of the consultancy is 5 months, starting on 7 December 2020 and ending on 31 May 2021. The following table outlines the expected outputs/deliverables for the duration of this consultancy:

Deliverables/Output

Target Due Dates

Review and Approval Required

• Hold bi-lateral meetings with all four partners of the project and report on recommendations on how to support each partner on communications and advocacy work;
• Support the partners on IEC development for the project, from design to approval;
• Support partners on communications planning, including social media post creation;
• Draft and finalize communications and advocacy plans for all four partners of the project;
• Support the Programme Analyst on the development of a one- to two-pager project briefer;
• Agree with partners on communications and advocacy focal points for each partner and submit list of focal points.
• Create a workplan for the entire engagement.

30 December 2020

Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action

Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action

Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action

• Facilitate brainstorming meetings with the project team (Programme Analyst and partners) on ideas for International Women’s Day 2021 with theme 'Choose to Challenge' and come up with a communications plan for the event;
• Develop at least 4 social media posts related to the project that will be approved and posted by the Regional Office and donor;
• Support the partners on IEC development for the project, from design to approval;
• Support partners on communications planning, including social media post creation;
• Write 1-2 human-interest stories for the UN Women Philippines website related to the project;
• Progress report on communications and advocacy plan for International Women’s Day 2021;
• Progress report on partner communications and advocacy plans;
• Support Programme Analyst on project and donor reporting, particularly on outputs related to communications and advocacy.
• Support the Programme Analyst in developing and disseminating an opinion editorial on women in humanitarian action.

31 January 2021

• Develop at least 4 social media posts related to the project that will be approved and posted by the Regional Office and donor;
• Write 1-2 human-interest stories for the UN Women Philippines website related to the project;
• Support the partners on IEC development for the project, from design to approval;
• Support partners on communications planning, including social media post creation;
• Progress report on communications and advocacy plan for International Women’s Day 2021;
• Progress report on partner communications and advocacy plans;

28 February 2021

• Develop at least 4 social media posts related to the project that will be approved and posted by the Regional Office and donor;
• Lead the delivery of communications and advocacy events for International Women’s Day 2021;
• Support the partners on IEC development for the project, from design to approval;
• Support partners on communications planning, including social media post creation;
• Write 1-2 human-interest stories for the UN Women Philippines website related to the project;
• Support the Programme Analyst in developing and disseminating an opinion editorial on women in humanitarian action.
• Progress report on partner communications and advocacy plans;
• Support Programme Analyst on Q1 2021 RMS reporting, particularly on outputs related to communications and advocacy;

31 March 2021

• Develop at least 4 social media posts related to the project that will be approved and posted by the Regional Office and donor;
• Write 1-2 human-interest stories for the UN Women Philippines website related to the project;
• Progress report on partner communications and advocacy plans;

30 April 2021

• Progress report on partner communications and advocacy plans;
• Support Programme Analyst on project and donor reporting, particularly on outputs related to communications and advocacy;

15 May 2021

Competencies

In addition to aforementioned requirements and qualifications, it is important that the consultant shares the core values and core competencies of the organization.

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

Required Skills and Experience

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications, Gender/Women’s Studies or other relevant area;
• At least 5 years of relevant national/international working experience in development communications, risk communications and advocacy, particularly in emergency/humanitarian response and disaster-risk reduction projects, and advertising;
• Experience in working with and training community-based organizations and the civil society organizations;
• Proven ability to identify good story ideas and to gather and collate information for effective communication;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Proficiency and experience with a range of social media platforms;
• Photography skills and proficiency in the use of multimedia design tools is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in the capture, development, communication and effective use of information is highly desirable;
• Experience in data analysis and identifying new trends in data is also desirable;
• Experience in the United Nations system, Civil Society or related area, in gender, peace and security / humanitarian issues, is an asset;.
• Proficiency in English and Filipino.

Working Arrangements:

The Consultancy is home-based, with communication through Zoom and e-mail interactions with the Programme Analyst, COVID-19 and Humanitarian Action and project partners. However, should the Consultant be asked to report to the office or attend meetings, she/he will be reimbursed for transportation expenses by the office. Work laptop, office supplies and other related costs will be covered by the consultant.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis.

• Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
• Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilised in evaluating the applications, with evaluation of the technical application being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

Technical qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Obtainable Score

Education

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications, Gender/Women’s Studies or other relevant area;

1. Experience and skills

• At least 5 years of relevant national/international working experience in development communications, risk communications and advocacy, particularly in emergency/humanitarian response and disaster-risk reduction projects;
• Experience in working with and training community-based organizations and the civil society organizations;
• Proven ability to identify good story ideas and to gather and collate information for effective communication;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Proficiency and experience with a range of social media platforms;
• Photography skills and proficiency in the use of multimedia design tools is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in the capture, development, communication and effective use of information is highly desirable;
• Experience in the United Nations system, Civil Society or related area, in gender, peace and security / humanitarian issues, is an asset;.

50 %

Language and report writing skills

• Excellent communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English and Filipino.
• Experience in producing corporate products is advantageous;
• Must be capable of effectively using MS Office applications, design and social media applications and tools.

30 %

Total Obtainable Score

100 %

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically-qualified candidates who may be contacted for validation interview.

Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:

• All financial proposals must be given in PHP.
• Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
• The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100.
• The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

Submission of Applications:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit electronic application to hr.bangkok@unwomen.org with Cc: to salila.klongboonjit@unwomen.org, not later than 30 November 2020, 23:59 PM BKK Time. Late submission will be rejected.

All applications must include the following (as an attachment).

1. Application letter explaining your interest in the consultancy and why you are the most suited candidate for this position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Personal History Form (P11) - The P11 Form can be downloaded from the following website: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs;
4. Sample works/portfolio, including the following: communications and advocacy plans and outputs, sample designs of communication materials, sample stories/articles
5. Financial proposal specifying a daily consultancy rate, a breakdown per deliverable

Payments:

Payments for this consultancy will be based on the achievement of each deliverable and certification that each has been satisfactorily completed. Payments will not be based on the number of days worked but on the completion of each stated deliverable within the indicated timeframes.