| Overview : Background As a growing middle-income country, the Philippines faces multiple, interconnected and complex development challenges in achieving the Sustainable Deveploment Goals (SDGs). Though the country made significant progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, gaps remain. Achievement of the comprehensive set of SDGs requires more integrated, coordinated approaches. To more effectively support government at the national and local level achieve the SDGs, UNDP Philippines is rethinking how it engages with its stakeholders and partners. Though established partnerships will continue to be important, UNDP Philippines is moving away from funding projects that have often relied on international donor financing towards leveraging the substantially increased availability of domestic resources – both public and private. To be more relevant UNDP-Philippines aims to: (i) become more innovative; (ii) offer best practice knowledge solutions that can be nationally contextualized and scaled up; (iii) strengthen research, analysis, and advocacy to shape national policies and programs; and (iv) support targeted capacity and systems development to enable the Philippines to deliver national programs and to exploit its significantly enhanced fiscal space. To improve the visibility, influence, reputation and impact of its programs and projects, UNDP Philippines requires the services of a consultant to develop and assist in the implementation of a new strategic communications plan. Duties and Responsibilities The Consultant will review existing communications activities and consult with UNDP Philippines staff and stakeholders to develop a strength-weakness-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis of current approaches to communications. The SWOT analysis will assess UNDP’s engagement strategies with stakeholders, the use of technical and analytical work to inform and influence policy and program design, and the linkage between and contribution of communications activities to achievement of the SDGs. Drawing on the SWOT analysis and incorporating strategic communications approaches used in the UN/UNDP, and other large development organizations, the consultant will develop a strategic communications framework and implementation plan for the UNDP Philippines’ Country Programme. The Consultant will also support selected communications programs and activities to enable UNDP-Philippines to improve the effectiveness of its engagement with partners, be more visible, and have greater influence and impact through its work, towards achieving the SDGs. Expected Outputs and Deliverables and Schedule of Payments Outputs/Milestones | Target date of completion | Tranche payment | Inception Report | 2 weeks after contract signing | 20% | Completed SWOT analysis; First draft of a Strategic Communications Framework and Implementation Plan for UNDP-Philippines | 15 October 2017 | 20% | Final approved Strategic Communications Framework and Implementation Plan for UNDP-Philippines | 15 November 2017 | 20% | Progress Reports on the initial implementation of the Strategic Communications Framework and Implementation Plan | 31 December 2017; 31 January 2018 | 20% | Final report with lessons learned and recommendations for sustaining the Implementation Plan | 28 February 2018 | 20% |
Institutional Arrangement Under the overall guidance of the Country Director, the Consultant shall directly report to the Team Leader of the Management Support Unit (MSU). Working closely with the Communications Associate, s/he will also work with the Deputy Country Director, the Senior Advisor and the Programme Teams in the Country Office to ensure clear and consistent messaging relevant to target market segments and aligned with the global brand strategy of UNDP. As may be necessary, s/he will collaborate with project teams and key partners of the Country Office as well as the Regional Bureau Communications Group based in UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub. The Management Support Unit will administer this undertaking and will ensure the delivery of the expected outputs under this TOR. All outputs shall be reviewed by members of the Management Team and certified by the Team Leader, MSU, prior to any payments. Local and international travel is not expected, but if required, all attendant costs will be covered and arranged by the UNDP project hosting the post. Duration of the Work The Consultant is expected to be engaged for six months from 1 August 2017 to February 2018, unless revised in a mutually agreed upon timetable by the Team Leader, MSU and the Contractor. Duty Station The contract is based at the Manila office of UNDP-Philippines. The Contractor will not be required to report regularly or be present at UNDP Country Office during the contract period but might be requested to attend meetings and report at UNDP for related activities. Except during the implementation phase of the Strategic Communications Framework and Implementation Plan, the Contractor is also expected to work online independently and not utilize any facilities of UNDP. Deliverables and deadlines are specified in Item C. Changes in the timetable should be approved by the MSU Team Leader. Qualifications Education: - Master’s degree in media relations, journalism, international relations or related studies.
Experience: - At least 10 years of experience with a proven professional record at the national or international level in public relations, media, communications or advocacy, with media channels and online communications platforms.
- Experience in the usage of media technology, social media for public information/advocacy.
- Prior experience to the work of the United Nations, and other multi-lateral organizations is preferred.
- Ability to produce a wide range of communication products, both web and print.
Language: - Fluency in spoken and written English
Criteria for Selection of Best Offer The offer will evaluated based on the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications will be weighted a max. of 70% and combined with the financial offer which will be weighted a max of 30%. Application requirements: Applicants are requested to SUBMIT in one file the following documents to procurement.ph@undp.org: - Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided; 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;
- Personal CV or P11, 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
In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified. | 
