Consultant for Development of an advocacy and communication campaign partnership strategy for UNCT Ethiopia

The introduction of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 has provided a common framework for pushing forward the global development agenda. Achievement of the MDGs is expected to lead to remarkable improvements in the well-being of men, women and children at the global, regional and national levels. Since the introduction of these global targets a number of African countries have shown significant progress in terms of human development and poverty reduction. However, the progresses towards the MDGs are challenged by a host of new and old issues. Most importantly progress has not been inclusive. In many countries, there still remain socioeconomic disparities in terms of gender, social groups, regions etc. With less than four years left to meet the MDG targets, there is a concern that inequitable pattern of achievement may be slowing down the rate at which the world is making progress. The outcome document of the 2010 High Level MDGs Summit in New York includes an action agenda whereby the Member States reconfirmed its commitment to achieve the MDGs by 2015 with a provision to review progress in 2013. This action agenda outlines both broad principles required to achieve the MDGs in an equitable manner and specific actions to be implemented for each of the 8 Goals. By signing this action agenda the Member States promised to transform their commitments into a national level implementation plans. In Ethiopia, marked acceleration of collective efforts of all development actors is required to ensure the achievement of the MDGs as well as to structure the development frameworks beyond the 2015. Therefore, enhanced strategic and effective UN engagement and partnership should aim at mobilizing citizens, interest groups and the media to advocate for an equitable pattern of progress in the efforts to achieve the GTP/MDGs targets. The UN is also keen to promote the dialogue on the future development frameworks at the national and global level. The UN system has carried out the following major advocacy and communication initiatives so far: Facilitated advocacy and communication campaigns and engaged civil society, parliamentarians, Regional State Council, the media and private sectors; Created the multi-development actors dialogue platform where government, UNCT, private sector, Parliamentarians, CSOs and the media came together to discuss key and strategic development issues and common challenges; Selected CSOs’ capacity developed through technical support and training workshops on Results-based management, M &E as well as evidence based advocacy on the MDGs; and Consultation workshops conducted for the local government and grassroots CSOs on the MDGs and local development programmes. I. Advocacy and Communication Campaign strategy As an integral part of the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC) in Ethiopia, there is a need to develop a National Advocacy and Communication Campaign strategy for the achievement of the MDGs and the national development plan, the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). A crucial aspect of the UNMC is the mobilization of stakeholders – including policy makers, parliamentarians, CSOs, media and private sectors- to increase their level of contribution to the achievement of the MDGs particularly to ensure equality and sustainability. The UNMC objective is to foster self-sustaining movements, which galvanize broad segments of society to build awareness and mobilize public opinion in support of the MDGs. The development of the Communication and Advocacy Strategy will commence with identification of key stakeholders and analysis of different actors’ role in achieving the MDGs. This will be followed by the development of the strategy based on inputs and feedbacks of key stakeholders. The Strategy development process will include: Identify key stakeholders who need to be influenced (institutions and individuals from government, technical and financial partners, parliament, civil society, the media and private sector). Identify persons or institutions who may play the role of MDGs/GTP champions (from government, technical and financial partners, civil society, parliament, private sector, the media etc., with power to influence decision makers). Identify the type of information/messages to be used by key stakeholders and champions. Identify appropriate channels to reach stakeholders and champions in different contexts and ways and means to build strong partnerships between the UN system in Ethiopia and key sectors. Identify potential partners (academic institutions, national research institutions, and the media) who are implicating successful/ongoing communication and advocacy activities with potential for scaling up.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall Objectives: To establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with all stakeholders in order to enhance communication and advocacy initiatives/efforts to achieve the MDGs/GTP. Advocacy and Communication Objectives: Strengthen and formalize inter-agency cooperation in the field of advocacy and communications for achievement of the MDGs and effective implementation of the UNDAF; Facilitate and support strategic partnerships towards meeting the targets of the MDGs/GTP. Mobilize core and emerging constituencies for actions geared towards the attainment of the targets of the MDGs/GTP. Establish mechanisms for forums and roundtables for all relevant stakeholders on the MDGs/GTP and the post 2015 issues. To ensure that knowledge generated by the UN system is widely disseminated and contributes to policy and decision making processes. Maintain consistent messaging, drawing attention to the targets of the MDGs/GTP and the need for both public and private sectors’ accountability to achieve the goals and targets. Facilitate strategic partnerships with media organizations and the emergence of a network of practitioners on the MDGs. Collate and present case studies, best practices and new tools to different audiences in public and private sectors to stimulate actions towards the achievement of the MDGs. Responsibilities and main tasks As part of this consultancy; the consultant will develop an Advocacy and Communication Campaign Partnership Strategy for UNRCO/UNMC including a detailed and budgeted action plan for implementation. More specifically, the consultant will: Review existing advocacy and communication strategies in the UN and focal institutions in Ethiopia, other MDGs country advocacy communications strategies and best practices to come up with an outline for the advocacy and communication strategy, which will be discussed and agreed upon with the of Ethiopia, UNCT and UNMC Africa. Identify the target audience, and all the key stakeholders, and information needs. Identify institutions that may play the role of MDG/GTP champions (e.g. the media, parliamentarians, civil society, private sector, academic institutions etc.) and describe their power to influence / targets and the type of information they will need to effectively play the role of MDGs/GTP champions. Facilitate and deliver focus group discussions, key informant interviews and collate mapping information on who makes and shapes key advocacy and communication mechanisms concerning MDGs/GTP. Based on the information collected and the results of the additional analysis, develop an Advocacy and Communication Partnership Strategy. Develop strategic messages for different target audiences. Identify tools and activities that are most appropriate for communicating the key messages to the audiences. List the potential and key themes of the MDGs/GTP and suggest topics for roundtable discussions. Provide recommendations to allow the UNCT to engage in these discussions. Develop a detailed Action Plan and budget indicating roles and responsibilities, resources, timelines, possible partners and outcome indicators linked to achievement of key results and objectives. Deliverables: The consultant will submit: An inception report of Advocacy and Communication Campaign Partnership Strategy within ten days of signing of the contract. Facilitate consultation workshop with stakeholders on key features of the strategy. Final Advocacy and Communication Campaign Partnership Strategy for MDGs/GTP that includes the following Objectives Audiences Messages Tools and Activities Highlights of focus group discussions and interviews Literature review Action Plan (Outputs, activities, resources, responsible parties) Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix (including indicators). Reporting The consultant will report to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and shall work in close collaboration with the UN National MDGs Campaign Coordinator within the RCO.

Competencies

Proven experience in facilitating strategic document development processes in collaboration with various development actors. Proven experience in the development of new and innovative approaches, particularly in all areas relating to communication, advocacy, campaigning and partnership development as well as innovative learning strategies and incentive programmes, and knowledge management. Ability to translate strategic thinking and innovative ideas into practical operational recommendations Strong knowledge of the national development programmes (GTP) and the MDGs. Familiarity with the wider development actors including the Government of Ethiopia, CSOs, private sector, the media, academic institutions as well as the UN agencies. Solid analytical and presentation skills, excellent facilitation, communication and negotiation skills, with full proficiency in written and spoken English. Experience working with the UN system in Ethiopia.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Post-graduate degree in economics, development, journalism, communication and/or related fields with 5 - 7 years of relevant working experience I. Duration The duration of the consultancy for the formulation of Advocacy and Communication campaign Partnership Strategy will be six weeks. II. Evaluation Criteria 1. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Proposal: (not more than 450 words) (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work (ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable) 2. Financial proposal: indicate monthly fee 3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references 5. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL Please submit financial proposal in a separate sheet to our e-mailProcurement.et@undp.org; 6. EVALUATION Technical proposals will be rated as per the following matrix. A firm will have to score a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Financial evaluation will be conducted for the qualified and responsive technical proposals (i.e 70% and above). A responsive and qualified individual with the lowest cost proposal will be issued a contract. Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: Cumulative analysis The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight; 70% * Financial Criteria weight; 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point and above would be considered for the Financial Evaluation Criteria Technical (based on CV, Proposal and Interview) weight 10% Minimum educational background and work experience (CV) weight 20% Understanding of scope of work and methodology (From Proposal) weight 40% Individual Competencies (Interview or desk review) weight 30%

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.

Consultant for Development of an advocacy and communication campaign partnership strategy for UNCT Ethiopia