UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan seeks Communication Agency

Terms of Reference for a Communication Agency

1. Title and Level: Communications and Public Affairs Agency

2. Duty Station: indifferent

3. Duration of assignment: 4 months from signature of consulting contract

4. Remuneration: 25.000 Euros

5. Background

The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) is one of UNEP’s regional seas programmes, established in 1975, and addresses environmental protection and sustainable development of the Mediterranean region and particularly of its marine and coastal areas.

The main core of the MAP is the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, and the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD). MAP’s Secretariat is located in Athens.

With a view to enhancing MAP’s visibility and impact in the region, the Contracting Parties have mandated the Secretariat to periodically update MAP Information and Communication Strategy.

In the decision IG17/5 on the “Governance Paper”, the Contracting Parties present a number of actions to be taken with a view to improving MAP visibility and outreach.

In this context the Secretariat, together with all MAP components, should work to update the current MAP Information and Communication Strategy.

For this purpose, MAP has decided to conduct a forward-looking assessment of its Information and Communication activities, and come up with strategic recommendations that will feed its future Information and Communication Strategy.

The following tasks should be undertaken:
• Identify opportunities and needs
• Make recommendations of key initiatives to develop
• Provide options for a MAP Information and Communication Strategy

The assessment should also identify regional issues to be considered when developing future MAP communication and information activities.

6. Objective

The objective of the assignment is to carry out a perspective assessment and provide recommendations for the formulation of a new MAP Information and Communication Strategy by the MAP Secretariat in 2010-2014.

7. Methodology and responsibilities:

The work will be articulated in three parts: assessment, interviews, and recommendations. The same structure is applied to identify the deliverable listed under expected outputs.

7.1 Assessment:

a. Conduct a desk analysis of the main policy documents listed below. Such assessment will be the basis for the formulation of the recommendations.

Key reference documents and sources:

• Barcelona Convention and its protocols and the respective decisions of the meetings of the contracting parties; Governance Paper agreed at the COP15 in Almeria, Spain January 2008; MSSD;

• MAP Information and Communication Strategy 1999;

• GEF Strategic Partnership Communication Strategy;
• 5 years MAP workplan;

• MAP components mandates and strategic programmes;

• Draft UNEP and DEPI Communication Strategy;

• Communication and information tools (websites; magazines; newsletters;
brochures; releases; including RACs publications and websites).

Additional sources of information:

• Information and communication strategies developed by other institutions and relevant to MAP’s work in the region.

b. Following the analysis of the existing tools and resources, including those developed by RACs, MEDPOL and GEF project, identify MAP’s communication niches, targets, needs and opportunities taking into account existing resources in line with the decisions of the meetings of the contracting parties, and make appropriate recommendations;

c. Identify trends/ emerging issues in terms of communication and propose ways for MAP to:

• use these tools effectively to contribute to the debate from an environmental perspective;

• Indicate useful partnerships and sponsors, and suggest ways to forge such partnerships. In the framework of MAP’s mission and mandate, the process should also take into consideration cultural, social, political and economic concerns of the region and incorporate a SWOT analysis.

d. provide a picture of the main communication tools concerning the environment and sustainable development in the Mediterranean in order to identify the MAP communication niches

7.2 Interviews

a. Develop an interview schedule and interview templates, and identify interviewees (key players) among the following groups:

• MAP programmes officers including the newly established GEF Project team, Regional Activity Centres (RACs), Bureau members and a selection of National Focal Points (NFPs) to assess communication needs, the effectiveness of communication work and the use of resources;

• MAP partners (NGOs, donors, media) to identify communication needs;

• Representatives of the media, public and private sector in the region. Interviews must provide a better understanding of MAP communication needs, and focus on opportunities that should be addressed in developing the reviewed/new communication strategy, and increase the satisfaction level of target groups. b. Conduct interviews through the agreed interview template. The interviews will be conducted via telephone or/and video conferences.

7.3 Recommendations

a. Produce a detailed report including strategic framework options to support the communication work of the Secretariat and MAP components in 2010-2015, which will focus on the development of a new MAP’s Information and Communication Strategy for consideration by the ECP members (Executive Committee Panel) and Bureau of the Contracting Parties.

b. Assess the role of the MAP Secretariat, of the RACs, and more specifically of the regional activity centre for communication (INFO/RAC), and propose ways to integrate communication activities more effectively, avoiding doubling efforts;

c. Propose a series of “quick-win” actions to be undertaken in the short-term with the existing resources to communicate more effectively MAP issues including the GEF project, pending the finalization of the reviewed MAP communication strategy;

d. Indicate how the GEF communication strategy could be effectively integrated into MAP’s overall information and communication strategy;

e. Identify key public/private sectors voices and resources on environmental issues in the Mediterranean and sponsorship opportunities.

8. Expected outputs

The expected outputs are articulated following the three axes of the methodology and responsibilities. The main deliverable is a detailed report including assessment and recommendations, and strategic framework options for the revised/new strategy. The output documents listed below should be incorporated as annexes into the final report.

8.1 Assessment

a. An analysis of existing communication resources and mandates within MAP (Information Unit; INFO/RAC; other RACs; GEF; Focal Points) outlining how to integrate them more effectively, avoiding doubling efforts;

b. a realistic and accurate SWOT analysis identifying trends/ emerging issues in the Mediterranean region (draft and final);

8.2 Interviews

a. Interview templates for the following categories, following input from MAP Advisory Group (draft and final):

• MAP staff and MAP components
• MAP partners
• Public and private sector in the region

b. a jointly agreed list of interviewees

c. Interview summaries

8.3 Recommendations

a. A strategic framework for better and more effective integration of existing communication strategies and activities, including a list of tools/activities that should be incorporated or discontinued when preparing the revised/new strategy, within the MAP mandate and with the existing resources;

b. A proposed synopsis of appropriate “quick-win” short-term and mid-term communication actions based on existing resources (funds and human resources);

c. A realistic description of the identified potential sponsorship opportunities in the region; d. The final report including assessment results and strategic framework options for the revised/new strategy, including the GEF strategy.

9. Schedule for delivery

The indicated tasks and the delivery of a draft report for circulation and comments among MAP components will be completed within 3 months from the signing of the consultancy contract. An additional month will be devoted to finalizing the report.

10. Administrative arrangements

The agency will work under the guidance of the MAP Deputy Coordinator and in close consultation with MAP Information Officer. The work will also be assisted by a MAP Advisory group composed of: MAP Deputy Coordinator; INFO/RAC Director; MAP Programme Officer; MAP Information Officer; GEF Project Leader; DEPI Information Officer.

11. Expertise

• The agency will have international experience in public affairs, communication, and corporate strategies and will have in depth understanding of political and environmental issues;

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, in an international environment, and focused on the elaboration and implementation of communication strategies, corporate communication, journalism; good knowledge of media relations; understanding of international organizations (IGOs; NGOs; others);

• Experience in conceptualizing and implementing complex communication strategies and implementing media plans especially in development/ environment field;

• Project management and coordination experience, especially in the field of global media projects and international teams;

• Experience of developing and implementing media strategies and activities targeted to a multicultural public;

• Knowledge and understanding of the UN system

• English and French are the working languages of the UN. The report must be presented in English. For this assignment, the ability to access and reach out to French and Arabic media and communication outlets is required.

Proposals should be sent by post to:
United Nations Environment Programme /
Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP)
Coordinating Unit – Information Department
Vassileos Konstantinou 48
Athens 11635
Greece

or by e-mail to: luisa.colasimone@unepmap.gr

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