Consultant on Communications for Business and Human Rights

Background

The UNDP Asia-Pacific Business and Human Rights Unit is currently engaged in promoting the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). The UNGP clarifies the duty of states and the responsibility of businesses to uphold international norms and treaties on human rights. These Guiding Principles rest on three pillars: 1) the State’s duty to protect human rights; 2) the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and; 3) the joint-responsibility of both the State and Business sectors to provide access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses.

Momentum supporting the implementation of the UNGP through National Action Plans (NAPs) is developing quickly in the region. Nurturing this, an already well-developed community of industry advocates, human rights activists, and development practitioners are deepening their work on a wide variety of thematic area or industry-specific B&HR activities. While leading national and multi-national corporations are embedding human rights due diligence approaches into their operational policies and corporate communication profiles.

Project Description

UNDP is implementing the regional project, “Business and Human Rights in Asia: Promoting Responsible Business Practices through Regional Partnerships”, to which this consultancy is attached. The objectives of this project are to promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles in Asia through regional efforts focused on advocacy, policy development, technical advisory support, capacity building, awareness raising, innovation platforms, regional peer learning events, and South-South cooperation. The project will be implemented by the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub in collaboration with UNDP Country Offices in the region and in partnership with regional initiatives, NHRIs, CSOs, other UN agencies, and the UN Working Group.

The B+HR Unit is seeking the support of a consultant to lead communications work within the project. The consultant will develop video and printed media content, craft project factsheets and infographic material and coordinate dissemination of such products. He/she will also support the drafting of knowledge management products and be in charge of developing and implementing communication strategies for project events. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

 

Under the overall guidance of the Business and Human Rights Project Manager, the Communications Consultant will be responsible for the following:

 

 

Deliverable 1: Developing and implementing a 2021 Communications Plan. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop and implement a detailed communications plan based on the the 2021 annual workplan, including at least all the activities mentioned in the remaining deliverables specified in this TOR below.

 

Deliverable 2: Liaising with creative agency to develop promotional videos for research studies developed in 2020. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Coordinate with contracted creative agencies to develop promotional videos for six research products developed in 2020. This shall include but not be limited to script writing and liaising between the creative agency (and/or other vendors) and human rights researchers/experts, and the UNDP B+HR Asia team to develop audio-visual materials for the promotional videos.

 

Deliverable 3: Developing and implementing a communications campaign on business and human rights. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Create a communications campaign on business and human rights based on the 2021 annual workplan, and coordinate with contracted creative/communications agency.

 

Deliverable 4: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 5: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Journalism Training (pilot)’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 6: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Consultation on Informal Economies’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 7: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘BHR roundtable series’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 8: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘SLAPP Training’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 9: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Journalism Training (full training)’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 10: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘B+HR Lab’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 11: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Training on Women and BHR’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 12: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Awareness raising event for NHRIs’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 13: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘UN Forum on Business and Human Rights’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 14: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Innovation Lab on behavioural science’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 15: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Focus Group Discussion with HRDs’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 16: Implementing communications strategy for the event ‘Training with ASEAN institutions’. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Develop audio-visual products to increase visibility of the event, including but not limited to save the date images, events banners and posters, lay-out of the document containing event program, twitter cards outlining speakers.
• Develop key messages/narratives (e.g. press releases, op-eds, stories and other relevant and compelling communications materials) and promote these through social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube)
• Develop and manage event-related content for the B+HR project web-page
• Implement branding related digital initiatives to promote the event and increase engagement

 

Deliverable 17: Implementing communications strategy for all B+HR Asia-funded activities undertaken by UNDP country offices. Tasks required to successfully complete this deliverable include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Liaise with country offices to implement the communications strategies for the activities on country office level for 2021.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

 

All deliverables are subject to review and approval by the Business and Human Rights Specialist, Business and Human Rights unit, Governance and Peacebuilding Team, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub

Deliverables	Due dates	Estimated days to complete (no rights can be derived from this estimation)
Deliverable 1: Developming and Implementing a 2021 Communication Plan	1 June 2021	10
Deliverable 2: Liaising with creative agency to develop promotional videos for reserach	1 Sept 2021	10
Deliverable 3: Developing and implementing a communications campaign on business and human rights	1 Oct 2021	25
Deliverable 4: Implementing communications strategy for the event UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum	1 July 2021	12
Deliverable 5: Implementing communicaitons strategy for the event Journalism Training (pilot)	1 July 2021	8
Deliverable 6: Implementing communications strategy for the event Consultation on Informal Economies	1 Sept 2021	8
Deliverable 7: Implementing communications strategy for the event BHR roundtable series	1 Oct 2021	10
Deliverable 8: Implementing communications strategy for the event SLAPP Training	1 Nov 2021	4
Deliverable 9: Implementing communications strategy for the event Journalism Training (full training)	1 Nov 2021	7
Deliverable 10: Implementing communications strategy for the event B+HR Lab	15 Dec 2021	7
Deliverable 11: Implementing communications strategy for the event Training on Women and BHR	1 Dec 2021	6
Deliverable 12: Implementing communications strategy for the event Awareness raising event for NHRIs	1 Dec 2021	7
Deliverable 13: Implementing communications strategy for the event UN Forum on Business and Human Rights	15 Dec 2021	5
Deliverable 14: Implementing communications strategy for the event Innovation Lab on behavioural science	31 Dec 2021	7
Deliverable 15: Implementing communications strategy for the event Focus Group Discussion with HRDs	31 Dec 2021	7
Deliverable 16: Implementing communications strategy for the event Training with ASEAN institutions	31 Dec 2021	6
Deliverable 17: Implementing communications strategy for all B+HR Asia-funded activities undertaken by UNDP country offices.	31 Dec 2021	11

The consultant will use his/her own equipment and software.

Estimated schedule of deliverables: Please refer to the Term of Reference

Intellectual Property

All information and production of communication pieces to the assignments as well as outputs produced under this contract shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Team Leader of Business and Human Rights in Asia (B+HR), Governance and Peacebuilding Team, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub.

Duration of the Work

15 April 2021- 31 January 2022  for a maximum of 150 working days.

Duty Station

Home- based with no travel.

 

 

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOSSC;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
• Communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.
• Capable of working in a high-pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks;
• Focuses on results for the client;
• Welcomes constructive feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Multimedia, Literature, International Relations, or other related subjects in the arts and/or humanities;

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience working in communications, with demonstrable experience leading communications for projects;
• At least 2 years of experience developing and managing multimedia content (including but not limited to press releases, articles, blogs, newsletters, and social media packages) and communication campaigns
• Demonstrable experience working with a range of stakeholders is desirable
• Experience in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube) management and/or online news, including data analysis, and adapting strategies accordingly;
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading skills in English
• Excellent command of graphic design tools, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (including Premier Pro, Photoshop, InDesign or other advanced creative software)

Language:

• Proficiency in communication skills in English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

 

The contract will be based on Lump Sum Amount

The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

 

• First Tranche – 6.5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 1 (“Developing and implementing a 2021 Communications Plan”)
• Second Tranche – 6.5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 2 (“Liaising with creative agency to develop promotional videos for research studies developed in 2020.”)
• Third Tranche – 16% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 3 (“Developing and implementing a communications campaign on business and human rights”)
• Fourth Tranche – 8% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 4 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum”)
• Fifth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 5 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Journalism Training (pilot)”)
• Sixth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 6 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Consultation on Informal Economies”)
• Seventh Tranche – 6.5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 7 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event BHR roundtable series”)
• Eighth Tranche – 3% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 8 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event SLAPP Training”)
• Ninth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 9 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Journalism Training (full training)”)
• Tenth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 10 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event B+HR Lab”)
• Eleventh Tranche – 4% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 11 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Training on Women and BHR”)
• Twelfth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 12 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Awareness raising event for NHRIs”)
• Thirteenth Tranche – 3.5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 13 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event UN Forum on Business and Human Rights”)
• Fourteenth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 14 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Innovation Lab on behavioural science”)
• Fifteenth Tranche – 5% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 15 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Focus Group Discussion with HRDs”)
• Sixteenth Tranche – 4% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 16 (“Implementing communications strategy for the event Training with ASEAN institutions”)
• Seventeenth Tranche – 7% upon completion and approval of Deliverable 17 (“Implementing communications strategy for all B+HR Asia-funded activities undertaken by UNDP country offices.”)

 

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

 

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

 

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent.   

Evaluation Method and Criteria

 

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology;

Cumulative analysis

 

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%) *and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

• Only those applications which are responsive, compliant and accept in general condition will be evaluated;
• The technical criteria consist of qualification review (education, experience, language) [max. 45 points], written test [max 25 points], and interview [max. 30 points] will be based on a maximum 100 points. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 31.5 points (70% of the qualification review) would be considered for the written test. And only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total qualification review points and written test points) would be considered for the interview.  
• Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated as the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

 

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 100 points)

• Criteria 1: Education - Max 5 points;
• Criteria 2: At least 3 years of experience working in communications, with demonstrable experience leading communications for projects; 10 points
• Criteria 3: At least 2 years of experience developing and managing multimedia content creation (including but not limited to press releases, articles, blogs, newsletters, and social media packages) and communication campaigns – max 10 points
• Criteria 4: Strong writing skills evidenced by portfolio – max 5 points
• Criteria 5: Strong design skills as evidenced by portfolio – Max 5 points
• Criteria 6: At least 3 years of experience in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube) management and/or online news, including data analysis, and adapting strategies accordingly;  - max 5 points
• Criteria 7: Knowledge of and experience with graphic design tools, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (including Premier Pro, Photoshop, InDesign or other advanced creative software) – max 5 points
• Criteria 8: written test – max 25 points
• Criteria 9: Interview – Max 30 points.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.  

 

Documentation required

 

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability of Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided in Annex II (Please refer to the link at the end of the Job Advertisement).
• Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II (Please refer to the link at the end of the Job Advertisement). Note: If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

•    Brief description of why the applicant considers him/herself the most suitable candidate, with explicit reference to graphic design software with which the applicant is familiar.
•   Communications portfolio in English developed in the last 2 years by the applicant. Suggested samples to be included: a) Videos; b) Graphic designs to evaluate graphic design skills; c) Written pieces to evaluate writing skills

 

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The shortlisted candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified.

To download form and related documents, please follow the link below:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=75935