Public Relations Expert for EU/UNDP Black Sea Project: “European Union for Improving Environmental Monitoring in the Black Sea – EU4EMBLAS”

Background

The Black Sea Basin environment is of paramount importance both in terms of regional development and of quality of life for its inhabitants. The Black Sea ecosystem is known to be rich and diverse but is also considered to be vulnerable as it experiences notably significant pressure from land-based pollution. The seriousness of environmental issues has been recognised by the countries of the region and they have responded with national and regional strategies and actions to tackle these issues. The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) addresses these problems through enhanced cooperation among its signatories. Further coordination in policies and legislation is a common interest to all the Black Sea countries. This is particularly true for the riparian Member States of the European Union: being Contracting Parties to the Bucharest Convention and members of the Black Sea Commission (BSC), they also value such coordination as a factor that influences their own ability to comply with the EU legislation, notably the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The present project is built on the results of previous project phases and complements the needs to build further the national capacities – technical and personal, to implement marine environment monitoring programmes, in line with the Bucharest Convention and EU reporting requirements.

The overall objective of the project is to help improve protection of the Black Sea environment. This objective will be pursued through further technical assistance focused on establishing modern systems and facilities for environmental monitoring (in Georgia and Ukraine), capacity building, assessment of environmental status in line with EU MSFD/WFD and public awareness raising on the Black Sea environmental issues. The key involved actors are the relevant national authorities, as well as research / scientific and educational institutions involved in the Black Sea monitoring.

The specific objectives are as follows: i) Upgrade of the technical facilities of key environmental organisations and laboratories involved in the monitoring of the Black Sea by procurement of modern analytical techniques and enabling their long term operation; ii) Building national capacities and skills in use of the up-to-date monitoring and analytical techniques aligned with the MSFD and WFD principles and methodologies and the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP), including environmental data sharing and assessment; iii) Raise awareness on the key environmental issues and increase public involvement in the Black Sea protection..

A number of activities will be implemented in the following components of EU4EMBLAS project:

1. Establishing modern systems and facilities to support marine environmental monitoring in Georgia and Ukraine;
2. Strengthening national capacities for application of modern analytical methods, data management and assessment related to marine environmental monitoring;
3. Increasing awareness of general public on the Black Sea environmental issues further increased and education of young generation supported;
4. Management and coordination of the project.

The project will be implemented in the context of the ENI Regional East Strategy Paper (2014-2020); Summary Regional East Multiannual Indicative Programme (2017-2020) and the Joint Operational Programme for the Black Sea Basin 2014-2020.

The project is part of the ENI East Regional Action Programme 2019, Part 2: Support to the Implementation of the Eastern Partnership Multilateral Dimension and the Implementation of the Northern Dimension and the Black Sea Synergy. The Black Sea Synergy offers a forum for tackling common problems while enabling political and economic reform. An important goal is to bring added value to the citizens of the region while ensuring environmental sustainability. Two important regional agendas were developed under the Black Sea Synergy umbrella in the blue growth area, namely the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert for Public Relations (PR Expert) will support the project implementation in the activities related to public communication and promotion of project results, with particular attention to the PR activities related to the new facilities for marine environmental monitoring, awareness-raising campaigns, public events, and dissemination and promotion of the project results.

He/she will work in close coordination with the Project Management Advisor and under the direct supervision of the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for International Waters, who will have the overall supervision role on the project from the UNDP side.

The PR Expert will work also with the other international, national experts and partner organizations working on the project, as well as with the UNDP Water Program Analyst and Project Assistant and other staff involved in the project implementation. The PR expert will be closely cooperating with the Communication teams of the UNDP IRH and Country offices, as well as EU Delegations of Ukraine and Georgia.

In detail, the PR expert will have the following general tasks in the project

• Follow-up and keep updated the Project Communication and Visibility Plan;
• Facilitate design and production of the project publications, audio-visual and visibility items;
• Keep updated the project website www.emblasproject.orgh and facebook “Fans of the Black Sea”;
• Prepare media communication materials – media invites, press-releases;
• Organize press-events in cooperation with UNDP COs and EU Delegations;
• Organize public events (Black Sea Clean Beach days, upgraded laboratory opening, etc);
• Represent the project at various events.

The consultant will prepare several deliverables in cooperation with the project experts, within the following time frame and payment schedule:

15 July 2021 (15% of payment)

• Presentation for the Inception Workshop and contribute to the Inception Report (chapters on Visibility and on the Project Activities related to the Project Result 3: Awareness of general public on the Black Sea environmental issues further increased and education of young generation supported);

• Updated list of events and campaigns for 2021, based on the initial Communication Plan, with more details. Specific attention should be given to the promotion of RV Belgica, Black Sea Clean Beach day and use of the BS Savebook;

15 December 2021 (10 % of payment)

• Support organization of public / media events related to the RV Belgica, the Black Sea Clean Beach day – prepare media invitation, press-release, information campaign on new monitoring tools and results (new types of pollutants and dolphins monitoring) etc. in consultation with the UNDP Country Offices, and EU Delegation;
• Arrange upgrade of the Black Sea Savebook game – communication with programmer, scientists for content, etc.;
• Review the Project Communication Plan and prepare an updated list of events and campaigns for 2022.

15 May 2022 (15% of payment)

• Prepare presentation for the project Steering Committee 2022 with summary of the awareness raising activities completed and planned;
• Prepare concept for a series of short videos (at least 3) related to biodiversity in the Black Sea (plankton, marine mammals), environment (marine habitats, pollution – microplastics, etc.);
• Contribution to the annual progress report (section on the visibility activities) covering period March 2021-March 2022.

15 December 2022 (10% of payment)

• Organize the Black Sea Clean Beach Day and other relevant events as per the Communication Plan, including a competition for creative ideas and informational campaign on new monitoring tools and results (marine litter and microplastic);
• Arrange publication of the 1st video as per the concept prepared earlier;
• Prepare an updated list of events and campaigns for 2023, based on the initial Communication Plan, with more details.

15 May 2023 (15% of payment)

• Prepare presentation for the project Steering Committee 2023 with summary of the awareness raising activities completed and planned;
• Organize press events to promote installation of new equipment in Ukraine and Georgia - prepare media invitation, press-release, etc. in consultation with the UNDP Country Offices, and EU Delegation;
• Contribution to the annual progress report (section on the visibility activities) covering period March 2022-March 2023.

15 December 2023 (10% of payment)

• Organize the Black Sea Clean Beach Day and other relevant events as per the Communication Plan, including a competition for creative ideas and information campaign on new monitoring tools and results (“blossoming” of the Black Sea;
• Arrange publication of the 2nd and 3rd video as per the concept prepared earlier;
• Review the Project Communication Plan and prepare an updated list of events and campaigns for 2024.

15 March 2024 (15% of payment)

• Prepare presentation for the project Steering Committee 2024 with summary of the awareness-raising activities completed and planned until the end of the project;
• Prepare presentation for the project Final Meeting

15 September 2024 (10% of payment)

• Contribute to the preparation of the donor Final Report, in particular to the sections related to Visibility and project activities completed within the Project Result 3: Awareness of general public on the Black Sea environmental issues further increased and education of young generation supported);

The assignment will require travel in the region, as specified above (section: Location). Any additional travels requested by UNDP will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations. 

Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Excellent communication and management skills and demonstrable capacity to work with a multi-national team and to work with government institutions;
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and communication plans;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Minimum Master Degree in one of the fields: economics, international relations, social sciences, public relations.

Specific Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in working on communication activities for environmental projects (preferably in the Black Sea region), in particular related to one of the following fields: integrated water resources management, EU water legislation (Water Framework Directive or Marine Strategy Framework Directive),
• Particular experience in preparation of Communication Plans / Strategies, reporting & visibility in line with the requirements for EU funded projects, including communication with the project partners and stakeholders;
• Experience with the organization of public events, meetings, presentations, press conferences, etc.

Language skills

• Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English (a writing sample to be provided with the application);
• Working knowledge of Russian is required.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should 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 a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11/CV desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in desk review (Criteria A-E) will be invited for interviews. Only candidates who will receive will get at least 70% of points in technical evaluation (Criteria A-F) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A – academic qualification/education – max points: 10;

Criteria B – experience in working for the communications activities for environmental projects (preferably in the Black Sea region), in particular, related to one of the following fields: integrated water resources management, EU water legislation (WFD or MSFD) – max points: 15;

Criteria C – experience in preparation of Communication Plans / Strategies, reporting & visibility in line with the requirements for EU funded projects, including communication with the project partners and stakeholders – max points: 15;

Criteria D – Experience with organization of public events, meetings, presentations, press-conferences, etc. – max points: 15

Criteria E – language and writing skills (assessed on the basis of samples provided) – max points: 5

Criteria F – interview (communication skills) – max points: 10.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for this assignment.  Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc)
• Samples of publications or a document (e.g. a press release or communication plan) in relevant areas produced by the candidate, as author or co-author  - it can be provided as a link or uploaded together with other documents (CV, offerors letter),
• Offeror’s Letter (blank template can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2KO1okS), includes Financial Proposal* - specifying: total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this ToR

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). The travel costs will be covered separately as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.