Communication and Technical Assistant for Tadamon Accelerator

Job details Job Type Contract Full Job Description Communication and Technical Assistant for Tadamon Accelerator
Location : Home-Based
Application Deadline : 24-Oct-21 (Midnight New York, USA)
Time left : 9d 7h 51m
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2021
Duration of Initial Contract : Estimated 25 October 2021 – 24 October 2022
Expected Duration of Assignment : Up to 130 working days within the contract duration


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.


Background

Achieving SDGs alone according to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report will require $3,9 trillion per year between 2015 and 2030 for health, education and infrastructure - leaving a $2.5 trillion annual shortfall relative to the current and forecast commitments of $1,4 trillion. To address the financial gap, new sources of innovative finance models are needed (private and venture capital, P2P lending) as well as impactful partnerships aimed at socially geared investment projects that can leverage private investments alongside official development assistance. Innovative finance models, like crowdfunding (crowdfunding, crowd investment), impact investment, preventative and predictive finance are projected to overtake venture capitalists’ investments and grow over $100 billion as per World Bank statistics by 2020. As a form of innovative finance, Islamic Finance is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial industry with global assets expected to surpass US$3 trillion by 2020. The Islamic Finance, ideally, is an alternative way of financing based on ethical and socially responsible standards, which ensures fair distribution of benefits and obligations between all the parties in any financial transaction.

The initiative “NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction“ (“NGO empowerment”) Program is grounded in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, UNDP Digital Strategy, UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018–2021, and UNDP’s ongoing work to address the challenges in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region and in other regions as well, based on the work of UNDP Alternative Finance Lab which is a part of UNDP Innovation Team. This initiative builds on the successes of and lessons learned from two phases of the Transformative Governance and Finance Facility projects, and seeks to support mapping and categorizing NGOs, platform-based approach and alternative finance mechanisms in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A key part of the project is the design, development and implementation of the Tadamon platform – an aggregating platform for crowdfunding campaigns for CSOs, and creation of Tadamon Digital Crowdfunding Academy, online training for NGOs/CSOs and UNDP Country Offices. Tadamon Accelerator is the new activity within the project, that will be focusing on 50 innovative CSOs to go through the acceleration program.

In this context, we are looking for the Communication and Technical Assistant who will, under the guidance of the “NGO Empowerment” project coordinator work on supporting the “NGO Empowerment” project through supporting implementation of Tadamon Accelerator - being responsible for research, collecting information on CSOs from participating countries, writing articles, updating the website and social media, scheduling of the sessions.

Description of Responsibilities and Deliverables

Under direct supervision of, and in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, the Consultant’s main tasks will be the following:

• Deliverable 1 (30% of the time): Mapping of CSO innovation ecosystems in 20 participating countries working with Chief Technical Lead, Regional Focal Points and Mapping expert from Tadamon project to develop innovation ecosystem checklists for CSOs from 20 countries (up to 39 days);
• Deliverable 2 (10% of the time): Compiling inputs on CSO evaluation from the Call – working with Chief Technical Lead, Regional Focal Points and strategic partners to ensure proper evaluation of applications; and compiling all inputs together (up to 13 days);
• Deliverable 3 (20% of the time): Implement Tadamon Accelerator onboarding for the first two Tracks (Impact Track and Data Track) with close work with mentors and CSOs. Working with Chief Technical Lead of Accelerator on making sure that the training content is being uploaded by training participants, approved by the team and sent back to training participants. Support mentors and make sure that they have access to content and participants homework. (up to 26 days);
• Deliverable 4 (20% of the time): Implement Tadamon Accelerator onboarding for Management and Leadership Track with close work with mentors and CSOs. Working with Chief Technical Lead of Accelerator on making sure that the training content is being uploaded by training participants, approved by the team and sent back to training participants. Support mentors and make sure that they have access to content and participants homework. (up to 26 days);
• Deliverable 5 (20% of the time): Communication support of activities within the Tadamon Accelerator – producing a monthly blogpost, monthly website update and creation of weekly updates on social media that include close work with Regional Focal Points and Innovation Team Communication Expert. (up to 26 days);

Expected deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the Innovation Team Leader, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Deliverables

Deadline

Output

Payment Schedule

Deliverable 1 (30% of the time): Mapping of CSO innovation ecosystems in 20 participating countries working with Chief Technical Lead, Regional Focal Points and Mapping expert from Tadamon project to develop innovation ecosystem checklists for CSOs from 20 countries (up to 39 days);

By mid of December 2021

Checklists from 20 countries based on Crowdfunding Academy Ecosystem Checklist – with a focus on innovation ecosystem and mapped innovative CSOs for the relevant field

30%

Deliverable 2 (10% of the time): Compiling inputs on CSO evaluation from the Call – working with Chief Technical Lead, Regional Focal Points and strategic partners to ensure proper evaluation of applications; and compiling all inputs together (up to 13 days);

By mid January 2022

Evaluation table with compiled feedback from all evaluators

10%

Deliverable 3 (20% of the time): Implement Tadamon Accelerator onboarding for the first two Tracks (Impact Track and Data Track) with close work with mentors and CSOs. Working with Chief Technical Lead of Accelerator on making sure that the training content is being uploaded by training participants, approved by the team and sent back to training participants. Support mentors and make sure that they have access to content and participants homework. (up to 26 days);

By end of March 2022

Report on the first two tracks of the Accelerator with highlighting all the produced work, including all links, visual and video materials; and lessons learned from the training process

20%

Deliverable 4 (20% of the time): Implement Tadamon Accelerator onboarding for Management and Leadership Track with close work with mentors and CSOs. Working with Chief Technical Lead of Accelerator on making sure that the training content is being uploaded by training participants, approved by the team and sent back to training participants. Support mentors and make sure that they have access to content and participants homework. (up to 26 days);

By end of June 2022

Report on the Management and Leadership Track of the Accelerator with highlighting all the produced work, including all links, visual and video materials; and lessons learned from the training process

20%

Deliverable 5 (20% of the time): Communication support of activities within the Tadamon Accelerator – producing a monthly blogpost, monthly website update and creation of weekly updates on social media that include close work with Regional Focal Points and Innovation Team Communication Expert. (up to 26 days);

By end of September 2022

Report on communication materials produced within the Tadamon Accelerator

20%

Payment

Payment will be released upon successful delivery of the deliverables and confirmation by the certifying officer –Project Coordinator.

• Ability to multi-task;
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication skills;
• Strong skills and knowledge in qualitative and quantitive research methods
• Ability to plan and organize her/his work efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products;
• Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to undertake multiple tasks and deliver under pressure.
• Perfect reporting skills

I. Education

• Masters degree or higher in Communications, Marketing, Media, Journalism, International Relations and Global Studies, Arts, Political Science is required.

II. Work Experience

• At least one year of experience in communications and working with social media including organization and coordination of events is required.
• Familiarity with research on innovation, refugees or disabled groups and poverty is an added advantage.
• Familiarity in working with Civil Society Organizations or with accelerators is an added advantage.
• Familiarity in working with e-learning platform is an added advantage.

III. Language Requirements

• Language proficiency in both written and oral English is required. Fluency in Turkish language is an added advantage.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants 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 (P11 desk reviews, interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

• Criteria A - (desk review) Masters degree or higher in Communications, Marketing, Media, Journalism, International Relations, Global Studies, Arts, Political Science – max points: 5;
• Criteria B - (desk review) At least one year of experience in communications and working with social media including organization and coordination of events – max points: 5;
• Criteria C– (desk review) Familiarity with research on innovation, refugees or disabled groups and poverty - max points: 5;
• Criteria D – (desk review) Familiarity in working with Civil Society Organizations or with accelerators - max points: 5;
• Criteria E - (desk review) Familiarity in working with e-learning platform is an added advantage - max points: 5;
• Criteria F – (interviews) Practical experience with supporting organizing e-learning events/trainings/educations and communications - max points: 5;
• Criteria G - (interviews) Fluency in English - max points: 5.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in desk review (Criteria A-E) will be invited for interviews. Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in technical evaluation (Criteria A-G) will be considered for financial evaluation.

1. Application procedures

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 advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
  (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
• Financial Proposal in US$* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, per diems and any other possible costs).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Step 2:

Submission of the Methodology (up to 2 pages) - for how reach out to CSOs from IsDB Member Countries will be made to apply for the Accelerator.

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

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

• Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). Travel is not envisaged due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the closed borders.

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.