The EU4Climate Project helps governments in the six EU Eastern Partner countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine - to take action against climate change. It supports countries in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and improving climate policies and legislation. Its ambition is to limit climate change impact on citizens lives and make them more resilient to it. EU4Climate is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The objective of the project is to support the development and implementation of climate-related policies by the Eastern Partnership countries that contribute to their low emission and climate resilient development and their commitments to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It identifies key actions and results in line with the Paris Agreement, the '20 Deliverables for 2020', and the key global policy goals set by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project will also translate into action priorities outlined in the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change of October 2016. Communication and visibility are key to the successful implementation of the project. The communications strategy and plan envisage a mix of communications tools and channels to communicate the results of the project - from engagement with the media to campaigns and information materials. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The International Communications Expert will ensure visibility and manage awareness raising and communication of the Project. The project's objectives, successes and impacts will be communicated to all relevant stakeholders via media channels and via project's events. Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the International Consultant is expected to contribute to achieving the main communications objectives the project, as defined in the Description of the Action:

• Raise awareness about interlinkages between different sectors and climate;
• Mobilize private sector and public finance for climate financing;
• Raise awareness on how climate change affects people's lives and encourage government responsibility (in particular in regions outside of capital cities);
• Raise awareness about the objectives and impact of the project among the beneficiary governments, stakeholders, private sector and general public;
• Highlight EU's policies and goals on climate change as a guide for EU4Climate
• Communicate and promote the EU-UNDP partnership

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Communications Expert is expected to serve as a key resource person of the project in achieving its communications objectives. Upon the request of the Project Manager and in coordination with the UNDP National Coordination Officers and Communications Officers in the six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) the International Communications Expert will develop the following communications outputs:

• Develop the annual communications plan for January 2021 - December 2021,
• Regularly (at least once every three months) update the Project's Communications Plan for January 2020 - December 2020, based on the guidance provided by the Project Manager, and in coordination with the Communication Officers in the Eastern Partnership countries;
• develop a program of national media training for the media professionals from the six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine)
• Develop press material and organize press conferences: Media advisories and press releases covering key events/milestones/data/achievements of the project.
• Produce stories (video, Exposure, Medium) featuring the results of the project from a beneficiary angle..
• Produce pictographs, infographics and fact-sheets to illustrate and visualize the impact of climate change and emissions, as well as progress, results and achievements of the project.
• Social media: updates on news and achievements as well as to promote informational material and stories.
• Develop the concept of the project website, and supervise it creation. Develop content and regularly update the website through collecting information from the partners in the Project.
• Support the organization of project's public events.
• Maintain regular communication with the EU counterparts, including via Digitool.
• Contribute to annual and quarterly reporting by documenting results, media monitoring, assessing the impact of communications, etc

MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The International Expert will work under the supervision of the Project Manager to ensure successful achievement of the main Project outcomes. The Expert is expected to work in close cooperation with the UNDP National Coordination Officers and Communications Officers in the six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine), as well as the Istanbul Regional Hub communications team.

The International Expert will:

• No later than 10 working days after signing the Contract, submit for the approval of the Project Manager the annual workplan for the next twelve months
• Submit regular quarterly progress reports to the Project Manager, containing a summary of the work completed during the past three months, and plans for the next three months. The first progress report shall be submitted 100 calendar days after signing the contract.
• If unforeseen travel is required, upon 10 working days after completing a mission trip, submit travel report summarizing main findings from the mission.
• Submit final report summarizing all outputs produced.

Schedule of payments

The total number of days of work is up to 72 working days. The breakdown corresponds to the expected outputs and schedule of payments as follows:

• 22% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Quarterly report #1;
• 22% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Quarterly report #2;
• 22% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Quarterly report #3;
• 22% upon completion and acceptance by the Project Manager of the Quarterly report #4;
• 12% upon acceptance by the Project Manager of the Final Report.

Travel

No travel costs are foreseen. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and International Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. Approval of the Project Manager is required prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics. Interpretation services (if necessary) during the field missions will be provided by the UNDP country offices.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills;

• Ability to work independently and in teams;

• Knowledge of climate change issues is considered an asset;
• Excellent communication skills.

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree (Bachelor's or higher) in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Philology, or other related field;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national or international level in communications, journalism, marketing;
• Minimum 3 years of experience with drafting, formulation and editing of analytical materials;
• At least 3 years of experience with internet communications, marketing and outreach activities;
• Proficiency in the use of web content management systems, publishing, photo editing tools and other web publishing tools (at least 2 years of experience) is an asset;
• Demonstrable previous experience with work in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset: climate change, renewable energy, sustainable transport, energy efficiency.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Fluency in Russian language or one of languages of the EU Eastern Neighborhood Countries (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Georgian, Romanian, Ukrainian) will be considered as an asset.

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (CV/P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation'.)

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points:

• University degree (Bachelor's or higher) in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Philology or other related field - up to 10 points;
• Methodology proposed for the assignment - up to 10 points;
• Experience with drafting, formulation and editing of analytical materials - up to 10 points;
• Experience with internet communications, marketing and outreach activities - up to 10 points;
• Previous experience with work in one or more of the following areas: climate change, renewable energy, sustainable transport, energy efficiency - up to 10 points;
• At least two samples of the previous work (articles, blogs/videoblogs, press releases, infographics) delivered by the applicant - up to 10 points;
• Fluency in English, Russian and/or one of the EU Eastern Neighborhood Countries (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Georgian, Romanian, Ukrainian) - up to 10 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

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

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the assignment
• Filled P11 form or CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);
• Brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work
• At least two samples of the similar assignments delivered by the applicant. The samples shall be developed no earlier than December 2014.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.