Writer/Editor – Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction

In December 2015, UNDP will participate in COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. This conference, the culmination of years of negotiations and advocacy towards a global climate change agreement, will bring together tens of thousands of practitioners and policy makers worldwide and will, amongst other things, give UNDP the opportunity to showcase its work in support of countries and communities in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition to this, UNDP will also be engaging in July’s Financing for Development Forum, in Addis Ababa, and will support the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in September in New York.

UNDP’s Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Team is planning a communications and advocacy campaign in support of these processes, with a particular emphasis on the Paris Climate Change Conference. This campaign will focus on highlighting UNDP’s work to date at global, regional and country levels, with a particular emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Particular elements include support to write blogs, op-eds, success stories, speeches, and talking points; as well as support to help plan and host events, prepare scripts for videos and support communications efforts.

Given the importance of these events, UNDP’s Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Team is seeking the support of a qualified writer/editor. Working with the Advocacy, Partnerships and Results Communication Coordinator, the successful candidate will help produce success stories, blogs, editorials and other written and video communications materials as required.

Objective of the Assignment

The aim of this assignment is to research, draft, edit and present country/regional level success stories, case studies, blogs, interviews and other communications materials in the lead up to, and during, the Paris Climate Change Conference.

Scope of Work:

• Drafts and edits content for UNDP’s website on climate change adaptation and mitigation;
• Edits briefing notes, background documents, talking points, speeches, letters and other corporate communication material as requested;
• Supports social media campaign by preparing tweets and facebook posts, researching successful projects;
• Prepares/and/or contributes to the preparation of success stories, blogs and other communications materials;
• Draft and edits media releases, media advisories; op-eds, and other written outreach material as required;
• Contributes to the organization and preparation of special events, including side events and bilateral events in New York and in Paris;
• Supports the development of video productions, including script preparation and review;
• Supports logistics related to the conference, including ensuring that publications are finalized and materials for handout are prepared;

Provides any other editorial support as needed.

Expected Output and Deliverables:

• At least 20 success stories in climate change, energy and disaster risk reduction prepared;
• At least 20 blogs/op-eds from regional experts/practitioners and partners supported;
• At least 4 op-eds published in leading media outlets;
• 30-tweets (drawing on successes) prepared and shared widely;
• Talking Points for 4 video-interviews finalized (video length approx. 2 each);
• Script for 1-2 videos prepared;
• Media advisories and press releases prepared for COP21 (1 each);
• Speeches supported for the Administrator and those representing UNDP (multiple, TBD).

Duration of Assignment and Duty Station

The expected total duration of the assignment is 100 working days within a period starting from 22 June 2015 through 31 December 2015. It is expected that the consultant will work approximately 4-days per week. This assignment is home based. The selected candidate is expected to visit the UNDP Headquarter office in NY regularly as required.

Institutional Arrangements

Direct supervision is under the Advocacy, Partnerships and Results Communication Coordinator of the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Team (CDT), with overall supervision under the Director/Chief of Profession, CDT.

The consultant shall be paid a daily rate, payable on a monthly basis, for the duration of the contract upon submission of the time sheet, certificate of payment and approval of satisfactory work by the supervisor.

• Excellent communicator, writer and editor;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong team player with belief in UNDP’s mission and mandate;
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills;
• Ability to multi-task to meet simultaneous deadlines, follow-up on story leads, and be able to deliver high-quality products while able to work independently with medium to minimal supervision from supervisors;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Creative and confident pitching communication ideas and strategies;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent fact-checking skills, and emotional intelligence.

Education:

• University degree or equivalent qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, development,  international relations, social sciences, public administration, or related fields.

Experience:

• At least two years of experience in communicating complex development results to a broad audience. This must include experience in writing and editing to a high standard for a public audience;
• Experience in a wide range of media, preferably including social media;
• Experience with the United Nations system, with development or humanitarian work an asset.  Experience in developing countries will also be considered an asset;
• Experience supporting communications for global events, conferences and/or processes;
• Design, layout and photo editing skills, and a working knowledge of design programmes, such as Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe CQ5 and Adobe Indesign 5.5 or 6 will be considered an asset;
• Experience in reporting writing and development of publications;
• Working knowledge of disaster risk reduction, climate change and energy an asset;
• Experience with UNDP an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English required. Excellent written English skills.

Summary of Selection Process:

Appraisal of candidate’s prior relevant experience (based on details included in the CV and covering letter) and previously published material (35%); appraisal of technical skills through a writing test (35%); financial proposal 30%.

Application Package:

The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file):

• Cover letter and CV;
• 3 writing samples of previously published materials showcasing the applicant's writing style and highlighting themes relevant to development work.   Links to previously published material that demonstrates other relevant skills (such as layout or design work, infographics, on-line links to videos made, etc.);
• Contact details (email and telephone number) of three (3) professional references;
• Available start date.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants are instructed to submit their daily rate financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45755. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for "Writer Editor- Climate Change and Disaster Risk – New York (home based) USA by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline may be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

• Only those candidates that meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the technical evaluation;
• The technical evaluation will include desk review of relevant experience, previously published material of shortlisted candidates and writing test scores;
• Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 (70%) points on technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
• The selection of the best offer from the shortlisted candidates will be based on a Combined Scoring method – where the technical evaluation (desk review and writing test) will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a maximum of 30%. The 70% rating shall be based on how well the Offeror meets the minimum qualifications/competencies described above.

 The technical evaluation will be based on the following criteria with the corresponding points (out of a total 70 points):

Desk Review (35 points):

• Demonstrated experience to research, edit and present success stories, case studies, blogs, interviews and other communications materials on any development topics- 15 points;
• Appraisal of Published Materials - 10 points;
• Technical understanding of climate change and disaster risk reduction – 5 points;
•  Familiarity with UNDP and UN system - 5 points.

Technical Exam (35 points).

Financial Evaluation (30 points).

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals.  The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the hightest combined technical and financial scores.  

Annex - General Terms & Conditions to the Individual Contract can be accessed through: 

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.