Individual IC/SSA Consultant – Women’s Resilience to Disasters - WRD Communications & Visibility, UN Women Fiji MCO
Contract
This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.
Background
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 UN Women Pacific sub-region has four main thematic areas:
- Ending Violence against Women (EVAW);
- Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) which includes the Markets for Change project (M4C);
- Humanitarian Response and Disaster Risk Reduction; and
- Women’s Political Empowerment and Leadership and Human Rights.
Women’s Resilience to Disasters / WRD
Disaster risks converge with critical socio-economic vulnerabilities, environmental degradation and climate change making the Pacific a disaster hotspot. Disasters and climate change are widening inequalities and undermining poverty reduction in the region. Threats such as COVID-19 are further exacerbating the inequalities and hardships faced by women and girls including those with disabilities. Women and girls face greater vulnerability and exposure to disasters, yet women remain largely ignored and their capacities unleveraged in conventional resilience building processes. As a result, women are generally absent in the development of resilience strategies and decision-making processes for prevention, preparedness, and recovery. This is compounded by significant gaps at the global, regional and country level in relation to the availability and use of sex, age and disability disaggregated data (SADDD), knowledge sharing on women’s resilience; an enabling environment for building women’s resilience (including capacities, leadership and funding); translation of commitments into action; coordination and private sector partnership; and a need for transformative change to tackle the underlying drivers of disproportionate risk.
UN Women’s WRD programme proposes a comprehensive package for building women’s resilience to disasters, climate change and threats. The aim of the WRD Programme is to render women’s and girls’ lives and livelihoods disaster-resilient, contributing to sustainable and secure communities, by promoting gender responsive prevention, preparedness, and recovery systems, plans and tools; and by enabling targeted action to help women and girls withstand hazards and threats, recover fully from disasters, and increase their resilience to future risks. The expected end-of-programme outcomes (EOPOs) are:
- Prevention, preparedness and recovery systems, plans and tools are gender-responsive through women’s leadership and enhanced influence in DRR and climate change decision-making, enhanced gender capacity of DRR and climate resilience stakeholders, increased access to knowledge, guidance, and expertise on gender-responsive disaster resilience, and strategic partnerships and networks for women’s agency and leadership in DRR; and
- Women and girls are prepared to withstand natural hazards, climate change and COVID-19, recover from disasters and increase their resilience to future risks, through gender-responsive early warning systems, gender targeted and mainstreamed services for women’s resilience, women’s informal and formal climate and disaster resilient businesses, women’s increased access to climate and disaster resilient livelihoods and strategic partnerships for resilient livelihoods.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives of the assignment
To ensure effective and efficient communications throughout the life of the Programme, the Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Government of Australia as the main donor partner, the UN Women programme team both in Geneva and in the Pacific, as well as engaging with implementing partners including Civil Society and other key stakeholders. The consultant will be responsible for the implementation of the Women’s Resilience to Disasters Communication, Visibility and Social Media Plan 2022-2026 that outlines agreed rules, practical implementation, and general parameters of communications for the Programme across donor and implementing partners.
Communications will comply with UN Women corporate requirements, as managed by the Communications and Advocacy team in UN Women HQ and Fiji Multi-Country Office. It is expected that the Consultant will both set into place the Communications and Visibility guidelines, as well as support communications including social media needs for the Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme. Technical support and collaboration with other programmatic areas that interface with WRD will also be required and therefore the Consultant will work closely with the EVAWG, WPHF, Markets for Change and Humanitarian teams as and when required.
Scope of Work/Duties and Responsibilities
Based in the Pacific, the Consultant will lead, and support communications needs for the entire WRD programme covering the national, regional, and global components of the programme, under the guidance and direct supervision of the WRD Global Programme Coordinator, the WRD Regional Programme Manager and in collaboration with the Fiji MCO Communications Specialist for compliance.
Key Functions:
- Strategic communications and visibility planning: This includes directly assisting and guiding implementation of the programme’s communications strategy, style guide and outcome-specific work planning.
- Technical Expertise: This includes assisting with key messaging for the program, imagery and other general communications and advocacy support.
- Manage communications and visibility activities related to the programme’s country launches, inception workshops and overall advocacy work.
- Advise on a decision-making process for all programme partners to agree on key strategic communications approaches.
- Provision of capacity building activities when required from the programme team and WRD partners.
Key Outputs:
- Provide updated WRD Programme information for the UNW website, WRD Knowledge Hub as well as materials for programmatic and thematic briefs.
- Support the review/ update/ drafting and / or editing and coordinating production of any WRD Programme publications and merchandise such as banners, programme flyers, and other materials.
- Implement the Communications & Visibility Strategy, Communications and Visibility Workplan, and Visibility Style Guide.
- Undertake social media and advocacy campaigns for key events related to DRR, including the global and regional platforms, the yearly COPs, and relevant international days (such as International Day of DRR in October, World Tsunami Day, International Women Day, etc). Draft media statements, media releases, media advisories and op-eds including social media for the WRD Programme.
- Develop and lead all planned and ad hoc communication activities and outputs both internally and externally, such as the initiation of staff communications and social media content.
- Provide technical expertise, staff capacity building activities and guidance on all communications work including quality assurance for the programme’s advocacy and communication materials to the WRD Programme.
Duration of the Assignment
The duration of this assignment will be up to 220 working days over 12 months work assignment as per the schedule of deliverables.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:
No.
Deliverables and Activities
Approximate No. of days
Timeline
Initial meeting with the WRD team for development & submission of the workplan on the expected deliverables.
Up to 1 day
August 2023
Provide updated WRD Programme information for the UNW website, WRD Knowledge Hub as well as materials for programmatic and thematic briefs.
Up to 20 days
August- 2023
Update the WRD knowledge Hub as needed, particularly with a view to sharing Pacific events, activities, pictures, and stories.
Up to 20 days
September - October 2023
Support the review/ update/ drafting and / or editing and coordinating production of any WRD Programme publications and merchandise such as banners, programme flyers, and other materials.
Up to 22 days
October - November 2023
Implement the Communications & Visibility Strategy, Communications and Visibility Workplan, and Visibility Style Guide.
.
Up to 20 days
November – December 2023
Undertake social media and advocacy campaigns for key events related to DRR, including the global and regional platforms, the yearly COPs, and relevant international days (such as International Day of DRR in October, World Tsunami Day, International Women Day, etc).
Up to 20 days
December 2023- January 2024
Develop and lead all planned and ad hoc communication activities and outputs both internally and externally, such as the initiation of staff communications and social media content.
Up to 20 days
January – February 2024
Co-lead communication liaison with programme partners, including communications counterparts with the donor government, partner agencies and implementing partners.
Up to 20 days
January – February 2024
Lead the development and editing of communication and advocacy materials including but not limited to web content, social media, brochures, flyers, and newsletters for the WRD programme.
Up to 20 days
March – April 2024
Draft media statements, media releases, media advisories and op-eds including social media for the WRD Programme.
Up to 20 days
April – May 2024
Provide technical expertise and guidance on all communications work including quality assurance for the programme’s advocacy and communication materials to the WRD Programme.
Up to 15 days
May – June 2024
Support staff capacity building on communication processes and protocols.
Up to 20 days
June -July 2024
Submit final report for review and approval.
Up to 2 days
July – August 2024
Final Report Submission and Payment: - 100%
220 workdays in total within 12 months period.
August 2024
- Monthly reports on major tasks performed and the results from August 2023- August 2024, including related to support provided to the WRD partners, inputs collection and other as per above description of tasks.
- Final report on carried out activities, achievements, and challenges.
All the deliverables should be agreed with the UN Women’s WRD Team provided in English hard and electronic copy. Note that all materials, including any video footage and images, will remain property of UN Women and cannot be used without UN Women’s permission.
Upon receipt of the final deliverables and prior to the payment of the instalment, the deliverables, related reports, and documents will be reviewed and approved by UN Women at least within 10 business days of submission.
All the deliverables should be agreed with UN Women and be provided in English hard and electronic copy.
All the documents and materials utilized need to be returned to UN Women in electronic format. Any printed materials utilized to be referenced and returned.
Inputs
- UN Women will provide the Consultant with background materials.
- UN Women will cover Consultant’s travel outside of Suva only should the need arise and upon prior approval by UN Women.
- Access to UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents or provide facilities for the Consultant to work on-site for a brief period should the need arise at any point during the assignment.
Travel
Some travel may be required for the implementation of the current assignment which will need to have prior approval from UN Women MCO.
Any travel approved by UN Women, will need to follow the existing UN Travel Rules and Guidelines.
Performance evaluation
The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.
Financial Arrangements
Payments will be disbursed to the consultant upon submission and approval of deliverables set forth in the section “Expected Outputs and Deliverables” above, and certification by the UN Women Gender & Resilience Specialist that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
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
Functional Competencies:
- Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills
- Good knowledge of Results Based Management
- Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations
- Good analytical skills
Required Skills and Experience
The Consultant should fulfil the following requirements:
Education
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science, Communications, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Journalism, or other related field is required.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience and Skills
- At least 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience and proven record in advocacy, policy, campaigns, strategic management at national or international level.
- Excellent and proven analytical and writing skills, including proven experience developing a communications strategy, manuals and workplans.
- Familiarity with gender and the issues related to empowerment of women.
- Creative thinking and ability to take initiative.
- Understanding of the social, cultural, and political context of the Pacific and its impact on women and girls an advantage.
- Ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability in multi-agency, multi-cultural setting.
- Proficiency in the use of computer, office software packages and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Language
- Fluency in English including excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
- Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Evaluation
Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science, Communications, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Journalism, or other related field is required.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- At least 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience and proven record in advocacy, policy, campaigns, strategic management at national or international level.
The shortlisted individual consultants will be further evaluated based on a cumulative analysis process, with a total score being obtained upon the combination of weighted technical and financial attributes. Cost under this method of analysis is rendered as an award criterion, which will be 30% out of a total score of 100 points.
Evaluation of submitted offers will be done based on the following formula:
where:
T
is the total technical score awarded to the evaluated proposal (only to those proposals that pass 70% of 70 points obtainable under technical evaluation);
C
is the price of the evaluated proposal;
Clow
is the lowest of all evaluated proposal prices among responsive proposals; and
X
is the maximum financial points obtainable (30 points)
Technical evaluation will be done through desk review of applications. Interviews and/or written tests will be organized if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.
Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria: The technical part is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).
No.
Criteria
Maximum points
- Master’s degree or equivalent in social science, communications, political science, sociology, anthropology, journalism or other related field is required.
- A first-level University Degree in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
*First**-level university degree – 5 pts, Masters’ or Higher Level of qualification- of 15 pts.*
15
- At least 2 years (with Masters’ degree) or 4 years (with first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience and proven record in advocacy, policy, campaigns, strategic management at national or international level.
Up to 2 years Master degree and up to 4 years Bachelors degree – 7 pts, Each year over 2 (or 4) years - 1 pts up to a max 10 pts.
10
- Excellent and proven analytical and writing skills, including proven experience developing a communications strategy, manuals and workplans.
10
- Familiarity with gender and the issues related to empowerment of women.
10
- Creative thinking and ability to take initiative.
5
- Understanding of the social, cultural, and political context of the Pacific and its impact on women and girls an advantage.
5
- Ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability in multi-agency, multi-cultural setting.
5
- Proficiency in the use of computer, office software packages and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
5
- Fluency in English including excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
- Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
5
Maximum Total Technical Scoring
70
Financial Qualification Evaluation Criteria: In the Second Stage, the financial proposal of candidates, who have attained minimum 70% score in the technical evaluation (at least 49 points), will be compared.
WINNING CANDIDATE
The winning candidate will be the candidate who has accumulated the highest aggregated score (technical scoring + financial scoring).
Submission of application
Interested candidates are requested to submit fully completed application on the UNDP Vacancy Site.
Submission Package:
- Cover letter explaining the suitability of the consultant: applicants are encouraged to address experience and qualifications listed in the ‘criteria for technical evaluation’.
- Duly filled Personal History Form (P11) and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV) of consultant including records of past experience in similar assignments and specific outputs obtained; P11 can be downloaded at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
- Financial proposal – specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this Terms of Reference. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (daily rate and number of anticipate working days and any other possible costs).
- Please read, use and complete ANNEX I and ANNEX II below to provide your financial proposal.
Applications without a complete financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. UN Women reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.
The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
UN Women Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).
Deadline of all Submission: 17th July 2023
Annex I
Price Proposal Guideline and Template
The prospective Individual Contractor should take the following explanations into account during submission of his/her price proposal.
1.Lump Sum Amount
The price proposal should indicate a "lump sum amount" which is "all-inclusive"; All costs (professional fees, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Individual Contractor needs to be factored into the proposed price.
UN Women will not withhold any amount of the payments for tax and/or social security related payments. UN Women shall have no liability for taxes, duties or other similar charges payable by the Individual Contractor in respect of any amounts paid to the Individual Contractor under this Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges that UN Women will not issue any statements of earnings to the Individual contractor in respect of any such payments.
Contract price is fixed to activities/deliverables indicated in the ToR, regardless of the changes in the cost components (such as days invested for completion of the deliverables).
2.Travel costs
Some travel may be required for the implementation of the current assignment but may not be necessary to be included in this financial proposal submission, as this requires prior approval from UN Women Fiji MCO.
Any travel approved by UN Women, will need to follow the existing UN Travel Rules and Guidelines.
3.Daily Subsistence Allowance
Not applicable.
4.Currency of the price proposal
The applicants are requested to submit their price proposals in FJD.
In case of proposals in other currency, these shall be converted into FJD using the official UN exchange rate for currency conversion at the date of applications’ submission deadline.
Annex II
Price Proposal Submission Form
[ Mandatory document for the Consultant to complete and submit]
To: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Ref: Individual IC/SSA Consultant – Women’s Resilience to Disasters / WRD Communications & Visibility, UN
Women Fiji MCO
Dear Sir / Madam,
I, the undersigned, offer to provide professional consulting services to UN Women within the scope of the referred Assignment. Having examined, understood, and agreed to the Terms of Reference and its annexes, the receipt of which are hereby duly acknowledged, I, the undersigned, offer to deliver professional services, in conformity with the Terms of Reference.
My maximum total price proposal for the assignment is given below:
Estimated Costs (in FJD$)
Unit of Measure (e.g. Day, Month, etc)
Unit Price
(FJD$)
No. of Units
Total Price
(FJD$)
Consultancy Fee
Daily Fee
Other Related Costs (please specify)
$
Total FJD$
$
*** Please be informed that for shorter assignments than a full day, the daily rate will be pro-rated into hourly rate.
I confirm that my financial proposal will remain unchanged. I also confirm that the price that I quote is gross, and is inclusive of all legal expenses, including but not limited to social security, income tax, pension, etc., which shall be required applicable laws.
I agree that my proposal shall remain binding upon me for 60 days.
I understand that you are not bound to accept any proposal you may receive.
[ Signature]
Date:
Name:
Address:
Telephone / Fax:
Email: