National Communication and Media Consultant.

Vacancy Number: Pr22/02640

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 15 Dec 2022, 16:30 (GMT+3:00)
Application Extended deadline:
15 Dec 2022, 23:59 (GMT+3:00)
Application Extended deadline:
26 Dec 2022, 16:30 (GMT+3:00)
Application Extended deadline:
03 Jan 2023, 16:30 (GMT+3:00)
Application Extended deadline:
03 Jan 2023, 16:30 (GMT+3:00)
Type of Contract:Individual Contract
Starting date: 26 Dec 2022
Reference to the project: Emergency Support Agro-pro
Expected Duration of Assignment:135 workdays
Supporting Documents:
Procurement Notice
Terms of Reference
OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT
UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract



Background

The FAO-UNDP Joint Project – Emergency support for Agri-producers in the context of socio-economic and energy crisis - is expected to support Outcomes 2 and 3 of the Moldova 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Partnership Fund:

  • Outcome 2. The people of Moldova, the most vulnerable, have access to enhanced livelihood opportunities, decent work, and productive employment, generated by sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth;
  • Outcome 3. The people of Moldova, the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, energy security, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development.

The Joint Project has the goal to improve food security of the country, and to address regional impact of the current socio-economic crisis caused by the military conflict in Ukraine, by supporting the most vulnerable small farmers (particularly women-led farms and young people) in rural areas of Moldova with inputs and improved capacities for resilient production.

UNDP Moldova will provide tailored support to women groups - small agricultural producers - to increase knowledge and skills for sustainable and resilient agriculture and forest practices, and to explore alternative income generation activities in the respective sectors with sustainable and green aspects mainstreamed. Also, women Agri-producers will be supported in implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies (biomass boilers in greenhouses, photovoltaic panels, among others). The Project duration is envisaged between August 1st, 2022 - August 31, 2024, with support from Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

The project will help to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the rising prices caused by decreased production of crops in Ukraine because of the war, as well as the disruption in supply chains in the region. These effects are most severe, on vulnerable groups – especially rural population, households with three children and more, women-headed households and rural women in general.

The project will encourage women entrepreneurs to implement renewable energy transition solutions and apply energy efficient technologies. Subject project will offer, through the UNDP, 30 grants for the implementation of the initiatives. In addition to the non-refundable financial aid, women entrepreneurs will also benefit from a complex capacity development program. This measure will support the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition of women-led businesses in rural areas.

The project will also develop the capacities of local environmental NGOs. 15 NGOs’ representatives will benefit from an intensive training program supported by UNDP and will subsequently become local trainers for 1000 small farmers.

Thus, farmers will have the opportunity to make their economic activity more efficient by implementing more energy efficient practices and measures in their production process at the household level. This will contribute to food security and climate and energy resilience of vulnerable groups in rural areas.

The envisaged consultancy will focus on supporting the project team to effectively communicate the approach, interventions, results, best practices and lessons learned of the project. At the same time, all project’s communication endeavours shall articulate UNDP’s and ADA’s contribution in putting forward tangible climate change mitigation and adaptation measures through implementation of energy-efficient technologies while empowering women Agri-producers and small farmers led by women in the target districts covered by the project, and beyond.

Scope of work

The National Consultant is expected to provide communication and media support for the Emergency support for Agri-producers in the context of socio-economic, climate and energy crisis Project by developing and implementing the Communication and Outreach Strategy of the Project.

Requirements for experience

  1. Education:
    • University degree in public relations, communication, journalism, social science, or related areas. Additional degree/training and certification in communication/new media is an asset.
  2. Experience:
    • Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in working with mass media or as a communication consultant;
    • Experience in the development and implementation of media/communication strategies and plans;
    • Experience in conceptualizing and implementing national and local public outreach/communication campaigns;
  3. Competencies:
    • Solid understanding of and ability to apply communications tools and techniques;
    • Ability to analyze, plan, effectively communicate verbally and in writing, draft report, solve problems, manage PR projects/events, organize, and meet expected results, adapt to different environments (cultural, economic, political and social);
    • Knowledge of topics related to energy efficiency, social or economic topics;
    • Drafting and communication skills.

Documents to be included

Applicants shall submit the following required documents:

  • Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability, including financial proposal (Annex 2, in USD, specifying a total requested amount per working day, including all related costs, e.g., fees, phone calls, etc.).
  • Technical proposal (including brief description of experience, approach, and methodology for the completion of the assignment).
  • Duly completed and signed personal CV and at least 3 references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If an applicant 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 applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Important notice: The applicants who have the statute of Government Official / Public Servant prior to appointment will be asked to submit the following documentation:

  • a no-objection letter in respect of the applicant received from the Government, and;
  • the applicant is certified in writing by the Government to be on official leave without pay for the entire duration of the Individual Contract.