Regional Programme Communications Consultant

Background

Implementing norms, changing minds” is a UN Women programme, funded by the European Union, which aims to support a reduction in discrimination and violence against women and girls in Turkey and six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia), anchored in the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Istanbul Convention, and also in alignment with European Union accession standards.

The three-year programme supports the development of an enabling legislative and policy environment on eliminating violence against women and all forms of discrimination; promotes favorable social norms and attitudes to prevent gender discrimination and violence against women; and pursues empowering women and girls (including those from disadvantaged groups) who have experienced discrimination or violence to advocate for and use available, accessible, and quality services.

The elimination of gender-based discrimination, and violence against women as one of its most pervasive forms, requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained effort in all spheres. It requires actions in different areas

All references to Kosovo shall be understood in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) including legislation, service provision, awareness-raising, and attitudinal and behavioral change. Gender-related discrimination and violence against women is a complex phenomenon that needs to be understood within the wider social context and within the social and cultural norms that permeate it. Community attitudes and responses regarding violence against women reflect these norms and play an important role in shaping the social climate in which discrimination and violence occur. Comprehending attitudes toward gender equality and violence against women is key to better understanding its root causes and, therefore, developing more effective intervention measures.

Within this context, UN Women is recruiting a consultant to implement the communications and visibility plan of the programme ¨Implementing Norms, Changing Minds¨, under the overall supervision of the EVAW Programme Specialist/ Regional Programme Manager based in Ankara, and in close collaboration with the UN Women ECARO Regional Communications and Advocacy Specialist and Communications Associate based in Istanbul, and the programme field-based Technical Project Analysts.

The purpose of the consultancy is to implement the communications and visibility plan of the programme ¨Implementing Norms, Changing Minds¨; provide high quality, technical assistance in communications for ending gender-based discrimination and violence against women; to develop and coordinate programme communications and external relations materials to push for gender equality and ending violence against women in the public domain; and to support the implementation of the programme advocacy, prevention and behavioral change related activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

-Implement all communications-related activities specified in the Programme Communications and Visibility Plan, including:

• Develop a six-month communication and visibility action plan for the programme, aligned with the Programme Communications and Visibility Plan:

• Liaise with the Programme team in the participating countries to ensure the programme visibility and expected results of the programme’s advocacy and prevention initiatives and tools;

• Support development and dissemination of the programme’s key messages, communications product and deliverables;

• Support the development of tools and templates;

• Build information networks; plan and oversee maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on the programme; plan and develop outreach activities;

• Assist the Programme team in holding conferences, events, and workshops to assist in the delivery of programme-related communications and visibility actions

• Take the lead in organizing media outreach at regional level; arrange media contacts, press briefings, and interviews; provide talking points and other materials as needed; respond to media inquiries quickly and effectively;

• Develop close collaboration with the regional media through the provision of stories and news releases, using both web-based and traditional media when appropriate to generate and maintain public interest in ending discrimination and violence against women as well as women’s issues, particularly related to Istanbul Convention;

• Support programme’s implementing partners to address communication’s needs and implement communications and advocacy related activities;

• Support to establishment of the Gender Action Lab (GenderLab) to identify the most effective actions leading to sustainable behavioral change, as an innovative tool to assess current advocate strategies, identify successful ones, and replicate them accordingly. The communications component of the GenderLab will play an instrumental role in exploring the potential contribution of social marketing tools (e.g. audience segmentation, objective setting, message and program development, channel and tool selection, etc.) and methodologies (i.e. combining communication approaches, behavior change theories, and formative research in a methodology that incorporates interpersonal communication, community mobilization, mass media, and policy advocacy) to the design of effective interventions addressing gender stereotypes at country level.

-Ensure that all products adhere and comply with UN Women branding guidelines and are in line with the EU Communication and Visibility tools and the EU-UN joint visibility guidelines.

Deliverables:

The consultant will be required to support and produce the following deliverables in a period of 6.5 months. The schedule and/or nature of the deliverables may be modified by the hiring manager, in agreement with the consultant.

MONTH 1

• Develop a six-month Communications and Visibility Action Plan and Strategy for the programme, aligned with the Programme Communications and Visibility Plan including deliverables, responsible parties, timeframes and key milestones.

• Develop a scheduled workplan to support the communication strategy (to include budget as applicable) and all other requirements as included in this TOR.

• At least 2 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach.

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan.

MONTH 2

• Action plan to support establishment of the GenderLab identifying initiatives and experiences on behavior change in the programme implementation countries

• At least 2 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan.

MONTH 3

• Brief report on the implementation of the GenderLab activities, indicating progress and next steps.

• At least 3 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan.

MONTH 4

• Brief report on the implementation of the GenderLab activities, indicating progress and next steps

• At least 3 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan

MONTH 5

• Brief report on the implementation of the GenderLab activities, indicating progress and next steps

• At least 3 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan.

MONTH 6

• Brief report on the implementation of the GenderLab activities, indicating progress and next steps.

• At least 3 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Brief report of communication-related activities conducted as per the deliverables of the work plan.

MONTH 7

• Summary report on implementation of the GenderLab indicating progress and achievements, as well as next steps

• At least 3 stories published on the programme website and disseminated on social media, including analytics and outreach

• Summary report on communication-related activities implemented

• Input to on communications related areas to donor report

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and dissemination of programme activities and outcomes, effective implementation of programme communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as enhancing the visibility of UN Women’s contribution to ending discrimination and violence against women in the geographical area covered by the programme.

Competencies

Core values

Integrity - Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism - Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity - Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Core Competencies

Ethics and Values - Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Development and Innovation - Take charge of self-development and take initiative.

Work in teams - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Communicating and Information Sharing - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.

Self-management and Emotional Intelligence - Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others.

Conflict Management - Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Functional Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues

• Demonstrated ability to produce well written articles and human interest stories

• Ability to work under pressure and within limited time frames

• Knowledge of the Rights of the Child will be an added advantage

• Communicative, results-driven, ability to work in teams

• Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women

• Excellent negotiating skills

• Knowledge and understanding of UN system

• Excellent IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages

• Strong risk-management skill

• Familiarity with UN Women

• Very effective at multi-tasking

• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills

• Focuses on impact and results for client

• Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with client and external actors

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Postgraduate qualifications from a recognized university with a background in either communications, journalism or public relations.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in programme communication design, planning, behaviour analysis and social change.
• Relevant experience in related areas (as identified above) in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required (written and oral)
• Knowledge of other UN working languages is highly desirable.

Application procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the application:

• Cover letter to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.

• 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. Travel (tickets, DSA etc.) should not be included in the lump sum and will be paid for separately by UN Women.

• P11 (and CV) including past experience in similar assignments; can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment, a signed copy should be submitted with the application.

• At least two sample of previous work completed similar to this assignment (for example, briefs or featured stories).
• Candidates should have the ability to quickly produce degree certificates and medical certification (of good health) should they be short-listed in consideration of the consultancy post.

Payment schedule:

The consultant will be paid in two instalments (as per the daily rate in the financial offer from the consultant) based on the review and approval of deliverables submitted by Month 3, and Month 7 (end of assignment) as listed in the above table

Evaluation of applicants:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer receives the highest score out of below defined technical and financial criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Criteria	Total points	Max. Points
Technical Evaluation (70%)	70
Relevant education		10
Experience in areas related to the tasks as described in this TOR		40
Knowledge of relevant standards		20
Financial Evaluation (30%)	30
TOTAL	100

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion. A suggested formula is as follows:

p = 30 (µ/z)

Using the following values:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated