Procurement Notices

 A.     Project Title

 Accelerator Lab Philippines (00118909 / 00115528)

B.     Project Description

  The UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 commits the organization to help countries find faster, more durable solutions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address long-standing, complex challenges, such as urbanization, climate change, and rising inequalities that may impede achievement of Agenda 2030.

Among the new generation of solutions launched by UNDP is the Accelerator Lab Network. Aiming to build the largest and fastest learning global network embedded in its bureaucracy, UNDP has set up Accelerator Labs in an initial set of 60 countries, including the Philippines. The labs are tasked to pursue interdisciplinary approaches and non-linear solutions that crowd in the collective efforts of variety of partners and tap into local insights and the knowledge of people closest to the problem and the solutions. Through the Accelerator Labs, UNDP aims to introduce a range of new services to partners—including sensemaking, collective intelligence, solutions mapping, and experimentation—to accelerate the testing and dissemination of solutions within and across countries.

The Accelerator Lab will undertake i) externally, interventions addressing priority development challenges, and ii) internally, experiments to embed new ways of doing development within the existing UNDP portfolio. The success of this institution-wide innovation initiative initially depends on mobilizing a wide array of dynamic partnerships to contribute knowledge, expertise and resources and translate those into top notch advisory and support. It also depends on defining what the Lab will address and how.   

The Philippines has a rapidly growing innovation landscape, with government entities, private sector firms and non-profit organizations all working to promote innovation. It also faces the same global challenges in achieving the SDGs and its long-term vision, Ambisyon 2040. UNDP in the Philippines intends to set-up the Philippine Accelerator Lab that will support both the public and private sector in better tackling most critical and challenging risks facing the country, such as inequality, unemployment, or technological change

The Accelerator Lab Philippines (ALab PH) aims to tap these approaches in taking on its first set of priority challenges, including boosting the sustainability and livability of cities. UNDP Philippines aims to support a select number of cities on initiatives to futureproof and accelerate sustainable development impact through dynamic management of strategic risks, opportunities and innovation. It aims to empower city leaders and their teams by providing a series of strategic options to better understand the key risks they are facing and exploit the transformative opportunities available to them and ultimately increase their effectiveness in creating citizen centered, livable and sustainable city spaces.  This is anchored in the view of strengthening democracy and scaling participatory governance, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

 The service of a Communications Consultant is requested to support the UNDP Accelerator Lab in realizing its mission to expand UNDP CO reach through unusual partners and working out loud. Specific work areas include advocacy, partnership development, social mobilization, collective intelligence, and behavioral insights.

C.     Scope of Work and Outputs

The Communications Consultant shall carry out the following tasks:

1.       Communications strategy and management

                                 i.            Development and implementation of strategies for the Accelerator Lab frontier projects:

o   COVID-19 response and impact assessment

o   #NextGenCities initiative, including management of two summits

o   Marine litter campaign

o   Zero Extreme Poverty

                               ii.            Creation, review and enhancement of Accelerator Lab PH communications campaign, content and materials (incl. templates, media materials, messaging for different partners and audiences, briefing materials on the work of the Lab and opportunities for support)

                              iii.            Organize a Lab media network that will support the dissemination of materials, information and conversations around the work of the Lab, including external coordination with partners on communications-related matters

                              iv.            Mapping of key stakeholders and their needs and expectations on the project and its core messages, broadly targeted messages for the key stakeholders;

                               v.            Advocacy targeting under 25’s (e.g. SDG caravan and development of engagement materials)

2.       Communications design and execution

                                 i.            Production and technical supervision of translation/ adaptation/ rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials, including contact with vendors

                               ii.            Internal campaign and activities for CO staff micro-reflections as well as identification of storylines for publications and articles related to key development issues

3.       Research and knowledge management

                                 i.            Exploration of innovative tools and methods for communicating Accelerator Lab initiatives, to be developed in cooperation with the Country Office’s Communications and Digital Services Team (e.g. data visualization, photojournalism, etc.)

                               ii.            Organize and manage the communication materials produced for the Lab

4.       Project management and operational support

                                 i.            Logistical support to the organization of publicity/outreach for the Lab, knowledge-sharing events, and media/promotional opportunities (e.g. roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews)

                               ii.            Assist in managing social media account/s related to Accelerator Lab-Philippines projects and members;

                              iii.            Coordination with consultants, responsible parties, and grantees;

                              iv.            Organization and documentation of activities, such as field missions, workshops, trainings, etc;

                               v.            Other related support

D.     Expected Outputs and Deliverables

E.     Governance and Accountability

The IC will report directly to the CO Communications Associate, with whom all outputs and shall be submitted and through whom all communications shall be coursed and who shall accept the consultant’s outputs. S/he will work in close coordination with the Impact and Advisory Team (IAT) and ALab-PH. Outputs will be reviewed and approved by the Communications Associate and ALab-PH Head of Exploration, in coordination with ALab-PH Head of Solutions Mapping and Head of Experimentation.

The Consultant will maintain pro-active communications with the Deputy Resident Representative and the CO Communications Team to provide regular updates on progress and seek feedback relating to strategies to promote new ways of working. Close coordination with the CO Communications team is also to be undertaken for final clearance for dissemination of Accelerator Lab communications as well as identification of other areas for mutual support.

As may be necessary, s/he will collaborate with programme teams and key partners of the Country Office as well as the Regional Innovation Centre and the Communications Team based in UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub, and the Communications focal of the Global Accelerator Lab Team 

Local travels, when required, will be approved, covered and arranged by the Country Office following UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations. International travels are not expected.

 F.     Duration of Work and Duty Station

 1.       The expected duration of the assignment is 90 working days between 04 May to 30 October 2020, unless revised in a mutually agreed upon timetable between the Consultant and ALab PH Head of Exploration.

2.       Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government.

3.       During the entire duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), this consultancy shall be performed remotely and will be a home-based assignment. The Consultant is expected to have his/her own equipment, office space, internet connectivity and cloud hosting, among others. The Consultant shall NOT ENGAGE in any meetings or activities OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES. Coordination/meetings shall be done through phone or online communication until such time that the quarantine is lifted.

4.       When the ECQ is lifted, the duty station is in the UNDP Philippines Country Office in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. The Communications Consultant is expected to be present at the UNDP Philippines Country Office at least four times a week, unless a flexible work schedule is mutually agreed upon.

G.     Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

 1.       The Consultant should send the financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall be “all inclusive” all costs (professional fees, medical insurance, communications, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant should be factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal. Travel, as deemed relevant by UNDP, will be arranged by UNDP, following UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.

Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during contract duration.

2.       The contract price will be fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the output and timelines will be agreed upon between the Consultant and the ALab-PH Head of Exploration.

3.       Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the delivery by target due dates. Outputs will be certified by the Head of Exploration prior to release of payments.

H.     Qualification of the Successful Individual Contractor 

 Note: Only those who will score 70 out of the 100 obtainable points will be shortlisted and invited for an interview.

Corporate Competences

·       Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards

·       Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Other Competencies

·       Demonstrates strong initiative, analytical skills, and mature judgement in planning a timely execution of tasks in coordination with various teams

·       Ability to establish effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment by facilitating open communications in the team and with stakeholders

·       Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

·       Excellent written and visual communication with an eye for detail

·       Presentation and public speaking skills

 I.       Recommended Presentation of the Offer

 Interested bidders must submit the following:

1.       Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and including the financial proposal, using the template provided by UNDP;

2.       UNDP Personal History Form (P11) or Curriculum Vitae (following the template attached) indicating all past experiences from similar projects or requirements, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

3.       Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract prices, supported by a breakdown of costs as per template provided and clearly stating payment percentage.

4.       Work portfolio demonstrating at least one (1) example of the following:

o   Written publication

o   National campaign materials and/or platforms and press coverage, if available

o   Visual communications (an active link for uploaded multimedia outputs must be shared, if applicable)

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the abovementioned documents. Templates for:

a. P11 Personal History Form;

b. Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and

c. UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contractors; are available through the link below

http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

J.      Criteria for Selection of Best Offer

Applications from qualified candidate will be desk reviewed by the UNDP Philippines’ section panel. Assessment of best offer will be via Combined Scoring method—where the qualifications will be weighted 30%; interview- 40%, and the financial proposal (price offer) will be weighted 30%.

Submissions must be uploaded on the following link:

 https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=91323

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability, UNDP Personal History Form (P11) or Curriculum Vitae, Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract prices, and At least 1 sample work (publication, policy brief, presentation) that demonstrates excellent command of written English.