National Consultancy Development of SDG Communication Strategy and Action Plan for the Maldives

Background

The United Nations in Maldives is committed to working with the Government of Maldives to promote the SDG agenda in the country. While individual agencies have specific goals that are particular to their mandate and focus, collectively these contributions can help build a broader understanding of Agenda 2030.

UN in Maldives would like to work to align to Government of Maldives’s efforts to promote the SDG agenda for Maldives as well as forge an understanding of its global significance for all people on the planet. By working to build a stronger alliance between UN agencies and other actors, the communication efforts are more likely to reach a larger audience and also sustain engagement over long term. As a result of the strategy, we hope to establish a clear communication vision for where the development of Maldives would be in 2030.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consultant will be responsible for the preparation of a SDG Communication Strategy for the Maldives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The communication strategy will support the achievement of SDG targets in the country. As such, the strategy will be expected to contribute directly to the attainment of the following objectives:

•          To raise awareness and familiarize general public, policy makers, media, private sector, CSO and other development partners including the UN on the SDGs and 2030 Agenda so that they are inspired and committed to facilitate the relevant policy changes to achieve the agenda 2030

•          To generate dialogue among various stakeholders on what the SDGs mean at individual, community, national and global-levels in concrete terms and how the goals will be implemented, tracked and measured, especially highlighting the vulnerable groups.

•          To partner with various media platforms, including social media, to leverage commitment to create awareness on SDGs, reach out and engage with new audiences in dynamic and relevant ways. 

•          To develop advocacy messages for upcoming high-level visits, events and other engagement opportunities with the Government and key national stakeholders to promote and facilitate the necessary policy changes to the achievement of the agenda 2030.

In line with the thrusts of the above-mentioned strategy, the main tasks of the consultant shall be as follows:

• Carry out consultations with key stakeholders (Government partners, UN, private sector, media and CSOs) and beneficiaries and make an inventory of communications tools and priority targets/indicators developed by the partners and their plans for SDG communication (Review successful communication campaigns in Maldives as lessons learned)
• Develop a SDG communication strategy, for both mass and social media, as well as messages for high level meetings, making sure to:
  • identify target audiences;
  • identify key messages for each target audience (in English and Dhivehi);
  • identify specific needs in terms of communication : active or passive
  • identify synergies for UN agencies to jointly implement communication activities
  • identify available or planned communication methods and means , tools and those that ought to be used by the project
  • Link the target audiences to each of the communication means;
• Put forward a priority communication action plan, with 5 year milestones to be implemented at the national and local levels from now until 2030. The communication action plan should also identify suitable products and transmission channels (press releases, press conference, social media messages, editorial, articles in specialised journals, interviews, TV or radio spot, etc).
• Facilitate a joint workshop to agree on communication results

Output/ Deliverables

• a communication strategy (phased), which recommends a set of key messages to be promoted among target audiences (in English, Dhivehi and in other languages when applicable); define the means necessary for implementation (media and communication tools), indirect and direct target groups (especially intermediate target groups such as journalists and decision makers), community engagement strategies/tools  and ultimate target groups (such as vulnerable groups); the strategy’s monitoring and evaluation mechanism, the nature and conditions for the forging of partnerships; a financing plan as well as a strategy for ensuring the sustainability and institutionalisation of the actions carried out
• a communication plan, comprising the principal communication activities scheduled up to 2030

Institutional Arrangement

• The consultant will report to the Coordination Specialist, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.
• The consultant shall give daily updates on the progress of all the deliverables to the Coordination Specialist, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and should raise any issues faced by the consultant that might affect the delivery of the consultancy. The method of feedback will be agreed upon at the beginning of the assignment.

Duration of Work

• The assignment must be completed within 30 days after the contract is signed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies

• Inter-personal skills;
• Exceptional analytical skills, solution oriented program design skills;
• Research and evaluation skills including ability to synthesize information;
• Excellent oral, and effective presentation and report-writing skills;
• Ability to work under with minimum supervision, while meeting deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability of timely completion of assignments;
• Excellent social and communication skills;
• Strong facilitation skills;
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural settings;
• Good working knowledge of information technology;
• Excellent Managerial and analytical skills;
• Proven co-ordination and networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor degree or higher in related fields, such as communications, international relations, development studies, etc.

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in communications
• Experience in drafting of communication strategies involving various stakeholders in English and Dhivehi
• Familiarity with the national development and communication environment of the Maldives.
• Very good summarising and drafting skills
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders, and open to input and respect for deadlines
• Proven ability to work flexibly and independently.

Language Requirements

• Excellent working knowledge of Dhivehi and English.

Application Documents

• The application must include a letter of interest to undertake this task, the CV, Personal History Form (P11), and a financial proposal (indicating the daily fee (in MVR) for the assignment). The applicant must also submit the reference letters from past supervisors/clients. To download P11, kindly please visit the link: http://www.mv.undp.org/content/maldives/en/home/operations/jobs
• Please combine all the documents into one single file, as the system will allow for only one document to be uploaded.
• We will only accept online applications