Description

Your written offer should comprise:
(a) A Technical Proposal consisting of:
 an up to date curriculum vitae including the contact details of three professional references, and  an approach and methodology for the assignment, a workplan and comments on the Terms of Reference if any (max. 2 pages).

(b) The total amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars or in euros only and should indicate the consultant’s monthly rate.
Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in either English or French. Documents should be consolidated into a single document and all file names should include the family name of the applicant.
UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation best value for money.
Your proposal should be submitted by e-mail to claudette@iwlearn.org no later than end of the day (23:59 CET) 10 February 2023. E-mail proposals should not exceed 5MB. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that his/her proposal is received by the deadline.
Thank you for your interest in this UNESCO assignment; and we look forward to receiving your proposal.

Terms of Reference

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT AND ASSIGNMENT
Within the overall framework of the IOC Programmme and Budget 2023-2024, in particular the project IW:LEARN 5, the Individual consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of MPR/IOC and the direct supervision of GEF IW:LEARN Project Manager.
The GEF International Waters: Learning Exchange and Resources Network (GEF IW:LEARN)’s latest phase commenced in 2022, with the endorsement of a fifth phase of the project (IW:LEARN5). IW:LEARN 5 will be implemented from July 2022 until mid 2026. The project represents a cooperative effort between the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP), but with the involvement of all GEF Agencies and project partners.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a global partnership among 183 countries, international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. It provides grants for projects related to five focal areas: biodiversity loss, chemicals and waste, climate change, international waters, and land degradation. The GEF international waters focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as river basins with water flowing from one country to another, groundwater resources shared by several countries, or marine ecosystems bounded by more than one nation.
In pursuit of its global and regional objectives, IW:LEARN seeks to strengthen the knowledge management capacity and promote scale-up learning of disseminated experiences, tools and methodologies for transboundary water management - across and beyond the GEF IW portfolio, together with a global network of partners. In this respect, the significance of iwlearn.net to the GEF IW portfolio goes beyond being a marketing platform and an online presence; it is regarded as the main online resource for all GEF IW information, a true knowledge management system for the portfolio.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THECONSULTANCY
This terms of reference covers the work of a Consultant to act as IW:LEARN Content and Communications Officer to undertake activities in support of communications and content management, including the further enhancement of the iwlearn.net’s features and content. The Consultant will lead and manage the implementation of the activities based on the UNDP Project Document, with specific activities and deadlines as summarized in the next section.

3. SPECIFIC TASKS
Key tasks for the Consultant include:
A. Manage and Update Content on the IW:LEARN website
The Consultant will work, in coordination and with advice from the PCU, on modifying, adding or updating content across the iwlearn.net website. This will generally include corrections to project profiles, uploading of new documents and projects, and editing of both organizational and contact information. Specific tasks for the Consultant include:
 Update and maintain iwlearn.net, including supporting the update of the project database (project information, contacts, organizations, project outputs,new projects), website archive, carousel updating, etc.
 Data visualization, including advising on the update of existing portfolio visualization maps and creation of new thematic maps
 Provide technical support to portfolio projects on digital activities (website creation toolkit and archiving, geospatial data, communications, event management).

B. Upgrade of GEF IW:LEARN web platform system and user interface
The Consultant will work in cooperation with the IT consultant and with advice from the PCU. The team will assess and integrate additional features to the web platform to meet the emerging needs of stakeholders and to support other project activities planned for this phase. Specific tasks for the Consultant include:
 Plan a 3-day visit to IOC-UNESCO headquarters to agree on the details of the upgrades required
 Carry out consultations with the IW portfolio focus group, through a short survey/individual interviews/Google Analytics, on the functionalities, features and enhancements of iwlearn.net website, including data visualization and other requirements for the benefit the portfolio
 Propose improvements for web design to allow for easier access to the synthesis of key individual project results and experiences
 Propose enhancements of the features of iwlearn.net, enriching its content, amplifying visually the IW:LEARN knowledge and communication products and project experiences, also by making them more easily discoverable on the platform
 Contribute to the drafting of the ToR for the longer-term IT consultancy support
 Provide a short plan (including timeline) that considers the advice and recommendations on the enhancement of the website functionalities and features
 Work closely with the IT consultant/web programmer on the enhancement of iwlearn.net, assist in the planning, design and testing of new features, including the redesign of the landing page
 Work with partners on the enhancement and management of the Spatial Lab and the LME Hub, including assisting in designing and preparing content for new linkages and services

C. Support the establishment or maintenance of specific thematic hubs
 Support the maintenance and update of the established hubs (Groundwater and Conjunctive Management hub; LME hub)
 Consult portfolio and partners on the scoping and design of the Communications, Nexus, and SIDS hub

 Propose design, content and web template of the new hubs (Communications and Nexus), with the help of the IT consultant as required

D. Lead in the development and dissemination of communications products
The Consultant will, working together with the PCU, produce and disseminate communications products and templates for the Project. These will include specifically:
 Prepare and distribute IW:LEARN Portfolio Bulletin
 Support the redesign of the project profile presentations to contain more succinct and visible snapshots of key project results and experience
 Assist PCU in website and communications-related activities, e.g. updating social media posts and other ad-hoc tasks
 Assist PCU in the production and dissemination of communication products for key events in 2023

4. Duration of the Consultancy
The consultancy will be for11 months. The expected effort during this period is estimated at 1-3 days per week.

5. Deliverables
Throughout the duration of this contract, the consultant will provide regular brief progress reports (status of tasks and/or deliverables submitted) to the IW:LEARN Project Manager.

6. Qualifications and Experience
 Master in Communication or a related field or sufficient experience in organizational communication and/or communication for change
 At least 5 years of experience in the field of communications and/or content management
 Experience with managing and developing creative content on web-platforms
 Experience with GEF international waters portfolio will be an asset

7. Supervisory arrangements
The Head of IOC/MPR will assume the overall supervision of the PCU and the Project Manager who is responsible for day-to-day supervision and implementation of the project. At no point should the Consultant make representations or act on behalf of UNESCO-IOC or any of the project partners.

8. Facilities to be provided by UNESCO
UNESCO will provide the Consultant with all required access to working files, UNESCO network, knowledge-management systems (including institutional email and Microsoft TEAMS accounts), and temporary office space if needed on occasional presence at UNESCO Headquarters.

9. Taxes

UNESCO will not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which individuals may be liable in respect of any payments made to them under the terms of their contract.

10. Insurance
Individuals issued with a contract for individual consultants or other specialists are covered by UNESCO’s insurance policy for work-related illness, injury, accidents or death whilst performing their official duties or travelling on behalf of the Organization. The insurance premium for the coverage, as determined by Pension and Insurance Section (HRM/SPI), must be included in the financial commitment for the contract.

11. Social Benefits
Individual consultants and other specialists shall be responsible for arranging, at their own expense, any medical insurance that they consider necessary during the contract period. Unless they are affiliated by virtue of their status as former staff members, they cannot be enrolled in the UNESCO’s Medical Benefit Fund or United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. Individual consultants and other specialists are not entitled to paid annual or sick leave.

More information: RFP-IW-LEARN5-Comms-Manager-Jan-2023_pdf - Google Drive