Retainer: International Media Relations Consultant

Background

I. 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.

Through the regional office for Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok and a number of country and multi-country offices, UN Women builds on a long history of support to governments and women’s movements. UN Women’s programs in Asia and the Pacific focus on ending violence against women, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction, women’s economic empowerment, CEDAW and women’s human rights, peace and security, governance and HIV/AIDS. For more information about UN Women in Asia and the Pacific, please visit the official website.

UN Women seeks to hire an International Consultant Media Relation to handle media relations for senior leadership, media strategies and outreach efforts for high-profile regional/global events/initiatives/campaigns. This position is based within Partnerships, Resource Mobilization, Communications and Advocacy (PRMAC) Unit for the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP). At the regional office, PRMAC is in charge of building partnerships with private sector entities as well as bilateral partners, non-profit organisations and the media. PRMAC also provides strategic advice and technical support to both the regional office and country offices in Advocacy and Communications in Asia and the Pacific. The Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization manages the PRMAC unit and will be the consultant’s supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

II. Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships & Resource Mobilization, Advocacy and Communications (PRMAC) with matrix management and supervision of Programme Specialists, the Media Relations Consultant is responsible for supporting on specific media engagements undertaken by UN Women ROAP, in developing and implementing media relations strategies and managing media/press coverage for specified events/initiatives of UN Women ROAP. As a key member of the PRMAC Unit, the incumbent builds effective relationships with the media to promote and manage its coverage of UN Women and its strategic areas.

 

The Media Relations Consultant also collaborates with and supports the members of the Communications Pillar with the PRMAC Unit (Communications Specialist, Media Associate, Web/IT support, Social Media and Visibility Consultant) and the Advocacy and Communications Junior Consultant to ensure media strategies and outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications strategies and initiatives, including support to regional advocacy campaigns, important regional/international conferences and events and for the launch of UN Women publications and reports.

 

The consultant will perform the following tasks:

 

• Enhances media/press coverage of UN Women ROAP Senior Leadership by active media outreach and engagement, and stories;
• Facilitates interviews with ROAP Senior Leadership; connect media with UN Women subject experts;
• Ensures clear, consistent and timely responses to media inquiries directed to ROAP Senior Leadership; issuance of statement and corporate positions to media and other external audiences;
• Provides support to high-level regional/global initiatives either led by PRMAC or by other regional programme units on key milestones and events. This includes support on press releases, media advisories, press/media kits for specified events;
• Works on Op-eds (both joint with other UN agencies or solely led by UN Women) for senior management from the region;
• Produces high-quality media talking points and briefing notes for senior management, in a timely manner.

 

III. Expected deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships & Resource Mobilization, Advocacy and Communications (PRMAC) with matrix management and supervision of Programme Specialists, the consultant is expected to produce media related deliverables based on specific requirement of hiring unit such as;

• Report on Weekly Media News Coverage from ROAP to HQ colleagues.
• Authored or supported Op-Eds from senior leadership
• Talking points, key notes or remarks developed for senior leadership representing at high-level regional or global events.
• Media/press-releases produced for high-level regional or global events taking place in Asia-Pacific.
• Report on pitches to regional/global media outlets to increase visibility for UN Women ROAP.
• Status Report of overall activities, including Regional Office and Country Office support.

 

IV. Contract Duration and Duty Station

The time required for the consultancy is estimated at 50 working days within the period from 15 October 2020 – 14 October 2021. This consultancy is home-based.

The consultant will be engaged under a retainer contract, which facilitate direct engagement of the consultant depending on need and availability within the contract period for a pre-agreed fee.

 

Competencies

V. Core Values and Competencies

 

In addition to requirements and qualifications, it is important that the consultant shares the core values and core competencies of the organization.

 

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Required Skills and Experience

VI. Required qualifications

 

• Education: Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field. A Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, or related field with 5 or more years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in communications, journalism, or related field preferably with international organizations/companies.
• Solid experience in media relations and outreach, including working with media.
• Demonstrated experience in working on media relations with senior leadership/management.
• Experience with writing short, captivating texts for a variety of audiences.
• Have strong skills and good judgment for tracking and monitoring media, key message development, strategic positioning, visibility, and branding.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English

 

VII. Institutional Arrangement

 

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization. UN Women will provide the consultant with a work laptop and a workstation. In the event that the consultant needs to travel during the consultancy for assignment-related purposes, UN Women will bear the costs of requested travel expenses.

 

VIII. Application Information

 

All applications must include the following (as an attachment):

 

1. Application letter explaining your interest in the consultancy and why you are the most suited candidate for this position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Personal History Form (P11). The P11 Form can be downloaded from the following website: http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs
4. Financial proposal specifying a daily consultancy rate.

 

Candidates are requested to send their cover letter, CV’s, technical and financial proposal, which includes daily consultancy rate to hr.bangkok@unwomen.org

To be considered for this contract, kindly submit your expression of interest along with your P11 form from http://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/about-us/jobs and an indication of you expected monthly remuneration. Payment will be on a monthly lumpsum basis.

 

IX. Evaluation

 

The evaluation will be based on the combination of the weighted technical and financial scores (80 per cent technical and 20 per cent financial). The technical evaluation includes the knowledge/experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment, experience working with bilateral partners and the private sector and/or international institutions. Evaluation methods include desk review and/or interview.