Over several decades in Asia, pro-growth economic policies have encouraged a rapid influx of foreign investment and increased international trade flows. In turn, these forces have driven significant gains in jobs, industrial production, and innovation, as well as achievements in health care provision and education. Yet, fast-paced economic development has also resulted in a wide variety of human rights abuses and devastating levels of environmental degradation. Concern for these adverse impacts seems to be growing among governments, businesses, consumers, and civil society in general.

A decade has passed since the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) were endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council. Today, the UNGPs are the main reference framework for the complementary duty of States to protect human rights and responsibility of business enterprises to respect human rights. Although there seems to be increasing global awareness and uptake of the UNGPs, knowledge and implementation gaps remain.

UNDP’s regional project on Business and Human Rights, titled “Business and Human Rights in Asia: Promoting Responsible Business Practices through Regional Partnerships”, (B+HR Asia) works to ensure the uptake of BHR and the implementation of the UNGPs through technical advisory, awareness-raising, communications outreach and capacity building support to governments, businesses, civil society organizations (CSOs), and national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

Duties and Responsibilities

The B+HR Asia programme in India intends to produce focussed knowledge and communication products to enhance understanding of UNGPs, highlight trade and human rights nexus and facilitate outreach on policy issues in India and Asia.

Under the direct supervision of the Business and Human Rights National Specialist at UNDP India, and overall supervision of Head, Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP India, the Communications Consultant will assist in implementing specific activities related to the communication strategy of the B+HR Asia: Enabling Sustainable Economic Growth through the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework project in India including:

Development of knowledge and advocacy products/communication content on Business and Human Rights

Copywriting (online & offline), editing and proofreading of communication collaterals (brochure, booklet, newsletters) related to specific project activities
Develop and implement social media strategy including the creation of social media content (posts, graphics, social media templates) per the project annual work plan (AWP)

Support production of audio-visual products and narratives to increase visibility

Edit and proof-read audio-visual content, coordinate with agency and B+HR Asia team on specific communication collaterals
Develop web content, human interest stories, news items and other communication materials per the AWP

Project support through other communication activities

Ensure branding and donor visibility on events and related materials
Coordinate with regional project team on multi-country campaigns

Expected Deliverable/ Outcome

Deliverable 1 (June 2022)

1 short documentary on business and human rights including shoots with interviewees, b-rolls, editing, final delivery and launch & dissemination;
Conceptualization, design and delivery of 1 business and human rights newsletter update for Apr to June 2022;

Deliverable 2 (July 2022)

1 e-book on Women at Work – Small Micro Enterprises Champions including content creation, design, delivery and dissemination;
Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (BHR orientation series for NHRC);

Deliverable 3 (Aug 2022)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (HRDD event for MSMEs);
Official translated designs (Hindi & Tamil) of 3 business and human rights policy documents;

Deliverable 4 (September 2022)

Conceptualization, design and delivery of 1 business and human rights newsletter update for July-September 2022 including;
1 illustrated case-study or human-interest story completed

Deliverable 5 (October 2022)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (related to CSO grants on legal aid);
Conceptualize, design and deliver Human Rights Day campaign;

Deliverable 6 (November 2022)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event;
1 illustrated case-study or human-interest story completed

Deliverable 7 (December 2022)

2022 Communications outreach summary report including events summaries, statistics, social media actions;
Conceptualise, design and finalized Social Media Plan 2023;

Competencies

Professional Experience:

Competencies

Great organizational and time-management skills
Demonstrable research skills;
Results-driven, initiative-taking, ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
Ability to effectively and efficiently interact with senior members and stakeholders
Must be detail-oriented
Communication skills: Able to communicate clear ideas across a variety of mediums
Writing and presentation skills: Able to produce high quality reports and presentations
Ability to work independently or with very limited guidance.
Highly motivated with a positive attitude and problem-solving approach;
Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, media relations, journalism or any other related field.

Professional Experience:

5-7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, electronic and print media, communications or advocacy.
Strong writing and editing skills in English
Experience in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube) management and/or online news, including data analysis;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Good command of graphic design tools (e.g.: Adobe Creative Suite)
Knowledge of human rights issues desirable.

Language Requirement: Proficiency in English and Hindi required.

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation;

• Technical Criteria weight - 70%;

• Financial Criteria weight – 30 %

Technical Criteria (70% of the total evaluation)

1. Criteria 1: Education (10%)

Bachelor’s degree in communications, media relations, journalism or any other related field.

2. Criteria 2: Experience supporting the production of communications materials, including publications, outreach materials and multimedia products (35%)

5-7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, electronic and print media, communications or advocacy.
Strong writing and editing skills in English
Knowledge of human rights issues desirable.

3. Criteria 3: Experience in the usage of web and social media management tools, and audio/video production tools is required (25%)

Experience in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube) management and/or online news, including data analysis;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Good command of graphic design tools (e.g.: Adobe Creative Suite)

4. Criteria 4: Excellent command of English writing (5%)

Required documents (for technical proposals)

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;

b) Curriculum Vitae

2 samples supporting the production of communications materials, including publications, outreach materials and multimedia products (writing samples) and
2 samples supporting in-depth familiarity in the usage of web and social media management tools, and audio/video production tools (design samples)

c) Contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

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

Financial Proposal:

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their lump sum rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.

Payment Scheduled: Payments will be deliverable linked per the following schedule of payments:

Outputs and Deliverables

Duration from Signing of Contract

Payment Milestones

(Deliverable 1)

1 short documentary on business and human rights including shoots with interviewees, b-rolls, editing, final delivery and launch & dissemination;
Conceptualization, design and delivery of 1 business and human rights newsletter update for Apr to June 2022

15 days (between 1 to 30 June)

13%

(Deliverable 2)

1 e-book on Women at Work – Small Micro Enterprises Champions including content creation, design, delivery and dissemination;
Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (BHR orientation series for NHRC);

15 days (between 1 to 31 July)

16%

(Deliverable 3)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (HRDD event for MSMEs);
Official translated designs (Hindi & Tamil) of 3 business and human rights policy documents;

15 days (between 1 to 31 Aug)

13%

(Deliverable 4)

Conceptualization, design and delivery of 1 business and human rights newsletter update for July to September 2022;
1 illustrated case-study or human-interest story completed

15 days (between 1 to 30 Sept)

16%

(Deliverable 5)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event (related to CSO grants on legal aid);
Conceptualize, design and deliver Human Rights Day campaign;

15 days (between 1 to 31 Oct)

13%

(Deliverable 6)

Offline and social media collaterals and press release, statistics report for 1 event;
1 illustrated case-study or human-interest story completed

15 days (between 1 to 30 Nov)

16%

(Deliverable 7)

2022 Communications outreach summary report including events summaries, social media actions etc.;
Conceptualise, design and finalized Social Media Plan 2023;

15 days (between 1 to 31 Dec)

13%

Notes: