International Consultancy to produce the UNICEF Algeria communication and advocacy package/kit to mobilize partnerships and resources

Consultant Communications & PR

Contract

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of the Assignment: International Consultancy to produce the UNICEF Algeria communication and advocacy package/kit to mobilise partnerships and resources within the new Country Programme of Cooperation 2023-2027

Section Submitting: Advocacy, Communication and Partnerships

Background

The Algeria new country programme 2023-2027 was approved by the Executive Board in February 2023 with implementation as of March 2023. The vision for this new country programme is to support the Government towards ensuring that all children and adolescents, girls and boys fully enjoy their rights and fulfill their potential to contribute to socioeconomic development as an engaged population.

In order to continue to work towards achieving the new country programme goals and objectives, the Algeria Country Office will use sound innovative, and evidence informed messaging and advocacy to make the case for children as a winning cause, thus engaging key audiences to act on behalf of children. At the same time, it is important to engage with partners (both locally & internationally) to mobilize resources for the implementation of key programme initiatives and develop public and private partnerships for children.

To ensure partners and key stakeholders have accurate information and ensure increased awareness about the partnership between the Government of Algeria and UNICEF, an advocacy information package/kit and an advocacy and communication strategy will highlight key issues addressed to promote and protect children’s rights in the new country programme of cooperation. It is against this background that UNICEF Algeria seeks a consultant experienced in communication and advocacy, writing and human storytelling with prior experience in designing and producing advocacy and promotional materials including strategies, to develop the Advocacy and Communication Package and support the Algeria Country Office in developing a solid advocacy and communication strategy for the new five-year programme cycle.

Purpose and Objective:

The consultant will support the preparation of strategic advocacy materials for the new country programme of cooperation. The specific objectives are:

1. Present an innovative proposal for the communication package to be used through different platforms (including the revamping of the website and digital platforms) and produce a detailed structural proposed plan of approach and timeline for the consultancy and the content outline of the package.
2. Develop a user-friendly communication and advocacy package for the Country programme of cooperation between the Government of Algeria and UNICEF for 2023-2027 showing strong linkage to the UN sustainable development cooperation framework (CF) for the same period based on the documents provided by the country office (CPD and other materials).

It should include a description of the overall vision of the new country programme and the four programmatic pillars to achieve strategic results for children; specific notes on key strategic areas of interventions to accelerate the achievement of Agenda 2030 for children and adolescents; disability inclusion and gender transformative action; creation of highly visual fact sheets on the situation of children; human-interest stories/ human portraits. This package will help showcasing inter-sectoral work and alignment with the new strategic plan of UNICEF for 2023-2027, the Gender Action Plan and the Global Disability Strategy and UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Region Accelerators for children.

3. Support the design and conceptualisation of the package as well as editing of captions with the photographer and design firm who will be involved in this work.
4. Support the Algeria country office in developing additional human-interest stories and concept notes to make key initiatives for children, mothers and fathers in Algeria and living in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf more visible at different levels, especially global level.

The main audiences for the communication products will be:

• Government – The kit will be used as an advocacy tool to make visible the partnership between the Government of Algeria and UNICEF and showcase high-impact interventions for children within public policies and programmes. The kit will acknowledge the Government’s support and role in improving the lives of children in Algeria, accelerators that can bring transformative change for children and families as well as lessons learnt in line with national priorities.
• Bi- and multi-lateral partners - The kit will be shared with key donors and potential donors with the aim of mobilising resources to support the implementation of the new country programme.

The kit will give partners a reader-friendly programme overview. Along with evidence-based text, the kit will feature real-life stories and quotes based on interviews with professionals working with children, beneficiaries and other stakeholders. The product will also showcase partnerships covering all the programme areas and their importance to make positive change happen for children in Algeria. In addition, two-page summaries about each programme area and specific investment cases will give the donors an understanding at a glance about the main issues and priorities in the programme.

• NatComs – The kit will be shared with NatComs to strengthen the engagement with UNICEF and partners in Algeria. The NatComs rely heavily on reader-friendly material, and in particular human-interest stories, for fundraising amongst the general public, their main donors. It will be accessible to the general public, public and private sector partners avoiding jargon but at the same time covering pertinent issues.
• Media – The kit will be shared with media gatekeepers and journalists who have shown interest in UNICEF’s work. Both national and international media are potentially powerful partners, especially if they are equipped with accurate information and strong, innovative stories. For example, the stories could inspire journalists to pick up on a story and develop their own coverage, further highlighting an issue that could generate interest from a donor or the private sector. Or local journalists might take up an issue and advocate on behalf of children or transmit a key communication message.
• Private Sector - The kit will be shared with current and potential private sector partners to encourage a broader partnership network and engagement. The private sector is a major partner for UNICEF globally and is an important stakeholder for children in Algeria. The kit will be used in meetings with representatives from the private sector to show the difference private sector involvement can make and to show programme areas that need additional support.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

Under the general supervision of the Communication Officer and in close coordination and consultation with the Representative and Deputy Representative as well as engagement with the programme team, the consultant will be responsible for the conceptualization and writing of the different advocacy and communication material in English (to be translated to French and Arabic). The consultancy will be distance based, with eventual travel to Algeria, and will amongst others include:

• Desk review and writing using existing material and publications.
• Gathering of content for the publications, including interviews deemed necessary.
• Meetings and exchange with senior management of UNICEF Algeria, programme team in Algiers and Tindouf. UNICEF will provide all needed content, presentations, and documents.
• After the approval of the written documents, the consultant will support the design phase by collaborating with the team and consultants assigned to this task.
• The office will be allowed up to three corrections/editing in the file after the design approval.
• The consultant shall be responsible for ensuring quality and consistency across the range of documents being produced.

Activities and Tasks:

The consultant should complete the following activities and tasks, in line with the above purpose and objectives:

1. Country Programme advocacy information package/kit

• A booklet with on children and the new country programme of cooperation in Algeria.
• Fact sheets with infographic depicts the situation of children and women in Algeria, progress, and gaps to reach the 2030 Agenda, including Children living in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf at a glance.
• Concept papers/ investment cases: A concept paper is developed for each programme area (4); for the response to the Saharawi refugee crisis (1) and additional investment cases as per the need of the office (5). These documents will have more detail about the programme’s development, including the Theory of Change, and the programme outcome. It is developed based on interviews with programme staff, key documents (e.g., the CPD), and on investment cases currently being developed. This is aimed at international donors, high-level government partners and research institutes. (Each concept paper would be about 1,000 words).
• Write / Consolidate Human Interest Stories for each programme area and humanitarian response (10) showcasing UNICEF and partners support in Algeria. This should be validated by UNICEF Algeria.

2. Support to the development of UNICEF Algeria advocacy and communication strategy

• Development of key messages for the CPD and programme areas to be used in broader communication platforms.

Deliverables

Due date

Amount

Deliverable 1: Proposal to produce an innovative Algeria Country Programme Document (CPD) Kit, including ideas for a new webpage and outline of the contents of the package aimed at donors; public, private, government and the public. Proposal including Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days).

Mid- April 2023

10%

Deliverable 2: Written products and support for layouts and design:

• Booklet
• Fact Sheets
• 5 concept papers / investment cases
• 6 human interest stories
• Support to the design concept and writing of captions to photos.

Mid May 2023

40%

Deliverable 3: Additional 5 concept notes/ investment cases and 4 human interest stories.

End June 2023

30%

Deliverable 4: Support to the development of UNICEF Algeria advocacy and communication strategy

• Development of key messages for the CPD and programme areas to be used in broader communication platforms.

End December 2023

20%

Deliverables and Payments:

Payments will be processed upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable and against an invoice that will refer to the contract reference and deliverable numbers. Payments will be approved by the supervisor.

The consultant will prepare key deliverables during the detailed structural proposed plan of approach and timeline for the consultancy described in the objectives.

Management and Supervision****:

The contractor will be supervised by the communications officer in close coordination and consultation with the Deputy Representative and Representative.

This consultancy is throughout 2023, starting from March April 2023, to end of December 2023.

Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge:

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Science related field. A Diploma in relevant field with experience can be considered Instead of the Degree.
• Consultant with minimum 3 years of work experience in experience in writing and developing similar products for UNICEF and other UN agencies.
• Proven experience in preparing advocacy/donor material and products.
• Excellent simple, persuasive writing skills in English.
• Experience working with UNICEF and other UN agencies at the country level in the field of communication and advocacy.
• Ability to extract critical facts from written sources and collating them in a coherent and creative manner.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and build capacities.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of French, Arabic will be a plus.

Conditions of Work:

Items

P****rovided by UNICEF

Remarks

Yes

No

Service incurred death, injury or illness

x

Per the provisions of CF/IC/2013-001 on insurance coverage “in cases of service-incurred injury, illness or death under a third-party provider”.

Health Insurance

x

Office Space

x

Computer in office premises

x

Access to printer in the office premises

x

Airtime

x

Evaluation Criteria :

The selection of the consultant will be based on a “best value for money” principle. Interested candidates should, in Consultant’s will submit their technical and financial proposal by email.

Technical proposals will weight 70% and financial proposal 30% in the final scoring. Technical proposals will have to score at least 50 points (from a maximum of 70 points) to be eligible to be evaluated financially.

The consultant’s financial proposal should be for each item presented in the table of Communication materials on Activities and Tasks (above).

Item

Criteria

Max. Points

A

Technical

1

Overall Response

(e.g. the understanding of the assignment by the proposer and the alignment of the proposal with the TOR)

20

1.1

Completeness of response

5

1.2

Overall concord between TOR requirements and proposal

15

2

Profile and Experience

50

2.1

Range and depth of organizational experience with similar projects

10

2.2

Samples of previous work - Portfolio (on CD or website) of relevant works

20

2.3

Years of experience

10

2.4

Knowledge of technical specification for printing

5

2.5

Knowledge of UNICEF brand guideline, design and mandate.

5

Total Technical Score

70

Minimum Technical

50

B

Financial

30

Total Score Technical + Financial

100

Remarks:

UNICEF will contract designer and photographer to work alongside this project. The consultant will work in close coordination with the team to ensure high quality products. The documents prepared will remain the sole property of UNICEF (Including source files).

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles 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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org