International Consultant for UNCT Albania Communication Strategy UNSDCF 2022-2026

Result of Service The overall scope of the assignment is to develop a communications strategy in line with the UNSDCF and UN DCO communucatons guidelines ensuring smooth finalization, signing and agreed on joint implementation by the UNCT members.

The consultant shall support the UNCG in leading a consultative and participatory process to develop the Communication Strategy, including the contextual analysis, establishing strategic objectives, defining primary, secondary audiences, influencers and potential partners, key messages, strategic communications approaches, joint activities and monitoring and evaluation framework.

The contextual analysis sets out to describe what the United Nations does and stands for in the country, building on the Common Country Analysis (emerging from the UNSDCF Preparations). The contextual analysis could be based on the visibility and brand awareness study, and may also use focus group discussion, partnership surveys, or any other surveys assessing public awareness and attitudes towards and perceptions of United Nations activities, priorities and image.

• Conduct a desk review of past UNCG communication plans, workplans, and current affairs within wider media and communications environment in Albania, with a focus on development sector.
• Where relevant assist the UNCG in ensuring that its communications including news releases, statements, social media tools, op-eds as well as internal communications are aligned to support the UN’s resource mobilization strategy
• Ensure that gender mainstreaming is incorporated into the design of the communications strategy

A Joint UNCT communication strategy is important element to ensuring consistency in messaging, strengthened interagency cooperation, and increase the profile and transparency of United Nations activities at the national level and beyond. That is why, the RCO Albania is hiring a professional Communication Strategy Consultant who will facilitate the development of the CCS aligned with the new UNSDCF.

The Consultant will be engaged by the RCO and becomes directly responsible to the RCO Team Leader. However, s/he will liaise with the Communications Officer.

The Communications Officer will provide day to day supervision on the assignment, working in collaboration with participating UN agencies to ensure delivery of quality results and objectives as set out in these terms of reference.

The Consultant will prepare reports, for approval by the RCO Team Leader.

The Consultant should have own computer and facilitate own access to internet, transport and organize own logistical arrangements as necessary.

Work Location Tirana, Albania

Expected duration The assignment will be for 30 working days during 1 April 2022 – 10 June 2022

Duties and Responsibilities In 2017, the Secretary-General outlined his vision of a “new generation of UN Country Teams (UNCTs)”, with enhanced capacity and skill sets in Resident Coordinator Offices, to support countries to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, effective, joined up communication is critical. Therefore, the UNCTs are supported by the addition of a communications function in the Resident Coordinator Office to help bring together the UNCT and its UN Communications Group (UNCG) to communicate together, with a strong UN voice.

For a successful delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (referred to as UNSDCF or CF) agreed every 5 years between the Government of Albania and the United Nations, a Common Communication Strategy (CCS) should be agreed and followed by all signatories of the CF. The CCS should include strategic objectives linked to national development priorities, define target audiences - particularly at the local, and national levels – propose key messages segmented according to target audiences and communication methods, and include budgeted activities to be implemented to achieve the objectives.

The UNCT in Albania is in the first year of a new UNSDCF for the period 2022-2026. This five-year strategy is the key instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities in Albania in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The approach of the assignment shall be participatory and inclusive ensuring full participation and ownership from the UNCT, UNCG and national stakeholders. The assignment will be initiated through a desk-review of the existing and relevant UN guidelines, timelines and outlines for the CCS process and required products. The initial phase will include consultations with the RCO, UNCG, senior programme managers, UN Youth advisory Group and key selected partners on the process and the proposed methodology. A workshop style meeting wil be organised with the UNCG for defining strategic communication objectives supported by the initial inputs and analysis produced by the consultant at the start of the assignment.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Corporate Communication, Integrated Organizational Communication, Journalism, or other related fields

Experience: Skills and experience:

• More than 10 years of experience in working with or consulting for UN agencies or NGOs or international organizations and in developing communication strategies

Language:

• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication, reporting, and presentation skills

• Demonstrate a high competency for integration of gender attributes into the assignment

  Additional Information Interested consultants are requested to submit the following:

- Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability - Personal CV indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; - Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology, - Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.