Roster of proposal, report and story writing international consultants WAE (daily)

Roster of proposal, report and story writing international consultants (WAE)

WFP Kyrgyz Republic

Location: Remote or with desk in the Bishkek office for local consultants

Roster validity: Candidates placed in roster remain active: for female candidates 36 months, and for male candidates 24 months.

Organisational Context:

The Kyrgyz Republic is a small, landlocked, mountainous country bordered by China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan with a population of just over 6.2 million people, mainly living in rural areas. After it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the economy grew, poverty fell, child mortality declined, and life expectancy increased. However, since 2008 there have been a series of economic and political setbacks, and now the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences increased the number of poor people in the country, because of reduced economic activities, decreased remittances, price spikes and a growing fiscal gap.

Within the current Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2018-22, WFP supports the national Optimized School Meals Programme and community-based livelihood activities, which through trainings and/or asset creation activities provide for shock-responsive and productive safety net mechanisms that strengthen Social Protection in the Kyrgyz Republic, using both cash- and food-based interventions, delivery in rural and urban areas, including with climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction focus. Guided by the new UN Common Country Framework, WFP is about to design the next CSP, a process to be accompanied with resource mobilisation and outreach efforts.

The WFP Kyrgyzstan Country Office aims to establish a roster of experienced proposal, report and story writing experts to be engaged on short-term/when-actually-employed (WAE) contracts for the preparation of reports and other communication materials, proposals or concept notes, either in response to donors’ calls for proposals/expressions of interest or on WFP demand basis.

Job purpose:

The consultant will – on project-/assignment-basis – take the lead, guided by WFP Kyrgyzstan’s technical staff, to develop:

a) partnership-enabling outreach material and publications that explain WFP’s way of supporting and enabling the Kyrgyz government to progress towards SDG targets,

b) reliable reports and replicable reporting formats (incl. dashboards and info sheets), that build on the UN’s and WFP’s M&E systems and other regularly available data sources,

c) compelling, evidence-based proposals/concept notes for submission to various international donors, including for joint resource mobilisation efforts with other UN agencies.

The consultant will bring for the outreach and resource mobilisation support a thorough understanding of, and prior experience in, competitive bid-writing for large institutional donors, and a proven track-record of writing for UN or similar development organisations, leveraging sound results-based management skills.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive):

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Communication and Donor Relations and with the strategic guidance of the country office’s management, the consultant will be responsible for the following, depending on the requested assignment:

At any level:

1. Write (or rewrite) reports, stories, proposals or concept notes, ensuring that they are well-written, persuasive, concise, and presented in a structured and easy-to-follow manner, in line with reader/audience’s needs and/or donor criteria.
2. Research the contexts in which the activities proposed by WFP will be implemented and reflect relevant information in the deliverables to provide prospective partners and donors a strong justification for supporting WFP’s initiative(s).
3. Organize and lead meetings and workshops to brainstorm and develop coherent and compelling communication strategies and a coherent presentation of programme designs or deliverables.
4. Ensure that the final deliverables are compliant with WFP’s branding guidelines or the donors’ specific formats.
5. Work within time and cost constraints, ensuring that the final deliverables are submitted on time and meet WFP’s quality expectations.
6. Other, as determined for each assignment.

For more senior-level consultants engaged in proposal-writing:

7. Collaborate with relevant programme teams to develop and/or revise the theories of change and the results framework with due consideration of WFP’s information architecture, and to contribute to the programme budget liaising with WFP’s budget and finance specialists, grant managers, and others.
8. Review relevant secondary literature, incl. compiling relevant research, evidence from prior similar interventions, best practices, and lessons learned, identifying gaps for primary data collection.
9. Participate in the analysis of stakeholders, incl. of bilateral, UN or multilateral bodies and private sector, to identify challenges and opportunities with regard to WFP programmatic approach and positioning; and adopt an advisory role to present clear information and recommendations to technical staff and management, to influence these with tailored communication and/or programme approaches.
10. Lead the submission of inputs with consortium partners and/or other UN partners in the development of joint proposals, ensuring adequate feedback and coordination.
11. Engage with stakeholders as needed to ensure that the proposal integrates consultations from relevant actors/sectors, including private sector, academia, Government departments, and others.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Timely submission of high-quality outreach material, publications, reports, proposals and/or concept notes and respective supporting documents (logical framework, budget etc.) that require no further editing support, ready for publication upon WFP’s quality assurance review.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has experience in writing project documents, reports or proposals.

• Has built and maintained effective relationships with donor agencies and other stakeholders.

• Has researched and analysed socio-economic trends, food security and/or nutrition, and understands the overall UN and WFP’s mandate and enabling role, offering capabilities across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

• Has managed small teams of staff with related areas of expertise or has proven project management skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education:

• Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary education degree in the following fields is desirable: Journalism, International Relations, Marketing, Communications or other relevant fields.

For complex proposal writing: Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Marketing, Communications Journalism, or other relevant field; a first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses may also be accepted.

Experience: At least 3 years of progressive experience in story, report or proposal writing.

• Experience in collecting data and familiarity with M&E methodologies and key concepts.

• Ability to research, analyse and synthesize information related to complex development issues.

• Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches from a diverse range of stakeholders, and multiple sectors, through adapting facilitation techniques.

• Team player with the skills to coordinate the report/proposal development exercises.

• Self-motivated and detail-oriented with the ability to work under pressure.

• Familiarity with the United Nations Editorial Manual and/or WFPs Editorial style guide is an advantage.

• Demonstrated track-record of putting together successful donor funding proposals and familiarity with the requirements of key development donors is also an advantage.

• In-depth knowledge of Kyrgyzstan’s development context, with a focus on food/nutrition security, education, livelihood, climate and disaster risk management, capacity strengthening and/or emergency preparedness and response, including ICT and logistics programmatic deliverables is preferred.

For complex proposal writing: Minimum 7 years of experience in the design, proposal writing, and/or management of education, livelihood, nutrition, climate change, emergency preparedness and response, and capacity strengthening programmes, preferably in Kyrgyzstan/Central Asia.

• Prior demonstrated experience developing proposals for institutional donors, including MPTF or other openings for joint proposals, but also for private sector and other non-conventional donors.

• Strong analytical and writing skills with the ability to analyse large amounts of information, drawing out key messages.

• Analytical skills and research capacity; interpreting, analysing, complex international development issues and representing such information in a clear and concise written manner.

Computer skills:  

Literacy in MS Office365 applications, incl. collaborative working through MS Teams (or similar tools).  

Language skills:  

• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian. Knowledge of Kyrgyz language is an asset.

For complex proposal writing: • Fluency in English, knowledge of Russian is an asset.

TALENTED WOMEN AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organisation. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection & recruitment process, and for work-related needs upon joining the Programme. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Closing date: 26 September 2021

WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process.

Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.

Candidates are requested to Create an account in system before applying. Candidate’s UN Personal History Form (P11), curriculum vitae (CV) and applications will be registered allowing profile updates, apply for a job through WFP career website.

The organization reserves the right to cancel or postpone the whole recruitment process without providing any reasons whatsoever.