Project Title Promoting Freedom of Information and Freedom of Expression in the Philippines Project Description After the 1986 People Power Revolution and the restoration of democracy, there was hope that a culture of democracy would take root in the Philippines. The enshrinement of the right to freedom of expression in the 1987 Constitution, and the resurgence of a free press, indicated that steps were being taken in this direction. There are, however, significant challenges to these freedoms. At the international level, the emerging phenomenon of ‘fake news’ – intentionally falsified stories disseminated across social media platforms and some mainstream news outlets – has undermined the integrity of information available to the public. Furthermore, efforts to suppress media freedom have contributed to the shrinking of democratic space. Organized disinformation does not only attenuate the news that journalists produce; it pollutes the environment for ordinary citizens, for their exercise of the freedom of expression. A society overwhelmed by manufactured false news or overly anxious about the credibility of its news media loses the capacity to tell fact from falsehood, right from wrong. As a result, the public are rendered unformed and uninformed, undermining the very principles of democracy. The Philippines has also experienced this phenomenon, with the country’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and other global indicators having fallen sharply in recent years. From 2018 – 2021, the ‘Promoting Freedom of Information and Freedom of Expression in the Philippines” project has implemented various activities ranging from capacity-building of media personnel to ensure the quality and integrity of information through a regional hub network, advocacy campaigns on FOI/FOE, and research on the current state of FOI/FOE in the country. As the Project nears its completion, UNDP is seeking a Writer-Editor based in Manila to assist in the writing, editing, and lay-outing of the Final Report. Institutional Arrangement The Contractor will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst and HR Project Coordinator who will also review the submitted output. This shall be endorsed to the Programme Outcome Lead for the Institutions and Partnerships for the final approval. Duration of the Work The Contractor will be contracted for 40 person-days spread over 2 months and expected to start the work from 7 May until 15 July 2021. Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted. A period of 7 working days will be the estimated time lead for UNDP to review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of outputs. Duty Station Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work of the Consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local government. During the quarantine period, 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. This is STRICTLY an OUTPUT/ HOME-BASED assignment; NO TRAVEL IS REQUIRED for the Consultant to complete their abovementioned tasks. Related costs for the engagement shall be borne by the Consultant and should be included in the Consultant’s Offer Letter. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments The Contractor 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 fee” (professional daily fee X number of person-days, communications, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant should be factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal. Note: 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. Payment to the Consultant shall be fixed and output-based regardless of extension of the specific duration therein. The consultant will only be paid upon satisfactory acceptance of the following outputs by the I&P Team Leader. Tranches | Percentage | Deliverables/ Outputs | 1st | 20% | Annotated outline and list of key informants and documents | 2nd | 40% | First draft of project report | 3rd | 40% | Final copy of project report, approved by UNDP |
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