International consultant to assist the UNRCO in Turkmenistan to develop content and design of the online and print ready copy of a joint publication

In December 2019, the United Nations and the Government of Turkmenistan signed a two-year Joint Programme “Improving the system of social protection through the introduction of inclusive quality community-based social services” (JP on social services) to make a transformative change in the current system of social service delivery in Turkmenistan, to reach out to the most deprived and vulnerable population and to address their specific needs.

Within the framework of the JP on social services, the PUNO and the Government of Turkmenistan joined their efforts to modernize the existing social service provision system by creating a national model of inclusive quality community-based social services that incorporates best practices, aligns with SDGs, and accelerates the achievement of substantial coverage of the poor and multiple vulnerabilities, specifically addressing the needs of children with disabilities, children without parental care, children at risk of separation from parents, people with disabilities and older persons in need of support with basic care, women and girls with unintended pregnancy, women facing gender-based violence and youth at risk.

JP on social services has one outcome:  The social protection system is ready to provide inclusive quality community-based support services.

Outputs are:

• An inclusive community-based social service model is developed, with its key elements prototyped to address multiple vulnerabilities of the most in need and ready for scaling up;
• Legislative and regulatory framework is reinforced, and institutional mechanisms established to facilitate the introduction of the new community-based social service delivery system;
• The country’s social work and social service workforce capacity is strengthened.  

To highlight the Government of Turkmenistan and UN achievements under the current JP on social services for 2020-2021, the UNRCO has proposed to develop a JP publication that will encompass achievement stories over the life-time of the Joint Programme and vision for the nearest future on issues of its sustainability based on available information. The publication, which will be developed in Turkmen, Russian and English, will serve as an advocacy and communication tool for various audiences, including international and national donors, national partners and general audience. 

Producing a strong visual document will enable the UN to stress the importance of sustainability of achieved results after the completion of the JP on social services and advocate for human rights-based and participatory approach to social service delivery by engaging civil society organizations and private sector and contribute towards achievement of SDGs. The communication document will also be a powerful starting point for demonstrating the effectiveness of collaboration and building consensus around a 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The unique, sharp and distinctive publication by means of sensitive photography, unique design and strong visuals along with concise texts will give a clear idea of what the UN and Government have achieved together within the framework of the JP on social services in terms of Leaving No One Behind and what it strives for in the nearest future.

Under the overall supervision of the UNRCO and PUNO communication focal points, the qualified individual will develop content and design of the online and print-ready copy of a publication on achievements in the implementation of the 2020-2021 UN-Turkmenistan JP on social services including layout, design, photos and charts/infographics.

The document shall focus on:

1. achievements of PUNO with their national partners within the frameworks of the JP on social services;
2. directions of future development and cooperation on sustainability of achieved results; 
3. lessons learnt and good practices, reflecting how the problems were addressed in context and highlighting the key elements of the approach taken to achieve the results for further replication;
4. and provide references to available evidence.

In addition, the publication aims to: 

• Build a positive and unified image of the social work specialists in the social protection system of the country and contribution of the JP to preparation of introducing social work major to the higher education system of Turkmenistan;
• Increase public understanding about the work of the UN in the country in ensuring human rights-based and participatory approach to social service delivery by engaging civil society organizations and private sector;
• Inform the public about positioning of the UN in the country in connection with inclusive society and social protection policy aimed at great equality and reduction of gender-based violence;
• Increase awareness of the JP achievements on tackling inequalities, exclusion and vulnerabilities, and ensuring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Leaving No One Behind.

It will be a 20-25 page publication highlighting the achievements and projection for the nearest future of the UN- Turkmenistan JP on social services.

The booklet will target key UN partners:

• Government;
• Development partners;
• UN agencies in Turkmenistan and beyond;
• Donors, NGOs and academia;
• Public at large.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Following the online meetings with the UNRCO, PUNO, representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Turkmenistan (MLSP), CSOs participating in the implementation of the JP community-based social service pilots, and, if need be, other national partners, the Consultant shall be tasked to accomplish the following expected deliverables:

• Develop content of publication covering the achievements and future projection of the JP on social services under its 3 outputs;
• Provide concept/outline of the publication including the table of contents, proposed design, layout and graphic/charts of the publication;
• Structure and edit all inputs from the UNRCO, PUNO, and MLSP into a uniform, easily readable draft publication with links to external materials and references, which communicates clear results;
• Consolidate, develop a draft publication and;
• Submit it to the UNRCO, PUNO, and MLSP for comments and suggestions (with 3 rounds of reviews received from UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP: first draft, pre-final and final);
• Consolidate comments from the UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP and submit a final design of the online and print ready copy within set deadlines to ensure on-time production of the publication;
• Prepare language copies in English, Russian and Turkmen using the provided translations in one publication. The consultant will receive the translated text to develop language copies.;
• Provide PDF files for the web and native files of final publication (preferably in Adobe InDesign).

Outputs:

The expected outputs are outlined in the table below. Starting date: October 1, 2021.

Deliverable 1:

Develop a draft narrative of the publication in English based on the scope of works, including the revision of the JP quarterly checks and 6-month progress updates to the JSDGF, other JP related reports and evaluations, JSDGF, UN and PUNO websites and online consultations (total 10 online meetings) with: 1) UNRCO – 1, 2) Participating UN agencies – 4, 3) Representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Turkmenistan and their territorial centers participating in social service pilots – 1, 4) CSOs –  “Yenme”, “Keyik Okara”, “Beyik Eyyam”, National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan – 4.

Estimated duration to complete: Within 8 working days including online meetings with UNRCO, PUNO, CSOs and MLSP. Total days assigned to this deliverable: 8 working days, home based, by October 10, 2021.

Deliverable 2:

Develop the first draft of Outline/Concept with a text in English (with spaces for Turkmen and Russian translations) including the table of content, suggested design, layout and graphics/charts with an easy readable style based on feedback from UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP.

Estimated duration to complete: UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP provide feedback for the draft narrative by October 20, 2021. Total days assigned to this deliverable: 5 working days, home-based, by October 25, 2021.

Deliverable 3:

Prepare pre-final draft publication in English based on the feedback received from UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP in English.

Estimated duration to complete: Within 3 working days of receiving UNRCO, PUNO, MLSP feedback on the first draft. Feedback from UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP to the first draft by November 5, 2021. Total days assigned to this deliverable: 3 working days, home based, by November 12, 2021.

Deliverable 4:

Prepare final publication including English, Turkmen and Russian languages for  online and print ready copy based on the feedback received from UNRCO, PUNO and MLSP (pdf and native files).

Estimated duration to complete: Within 7 working days of receiving UNRCO, PUNO, MSLP feedback on pre final draft. Feedback to the pre-final by November 21, 2021. UN RCO to provide translations by November 21, 2021. Total days assigned to this deliverable: 4 working days, home based. By November 26, 2021.

Institutional arrangement:

The incumbent is expected to work on daily basis in coordination with the UN Programme Communication and Advocacy Officer under the overall guidance of the UN Strategic Planning Officer and RCO Team Leader. She/he shall update the UN RCO the progress of implementation of the assignment. All organizational support and necessary meetings for the expert will be facilitated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

Duration of the work:

The duration of the assignment is 20 working days over 3 months but subject to the extension. The assignment shall start in October 2021 with the final, approved product to be submitted by December 14, 2021. The expert will have home-based work.

Payment conditions:

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other costs required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of the consultancy.

Payment will be done in two installments based on the quality and timeliness of presented outputs after acceptance of them by the UN RCO.

1. Upon submission of the first draft of the publication to UN RCO and PUNO Communication Group Deliverable 1-5 (30% of total fee);
2. Upon submission of the finalized online and print ready version of the publication Deliverable 6-7 (70% of total fee).

All costs related to the assignment will be covered by UN RCO Turkmenistan from Joint SDG Fund.

The successful candidate is expected to have good knowledge of UN and extensive experience in public outreach and working on UN communication products.

COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Shares knowledge and experience and provides helpful feedback and advice;
• Ability to identify beneficiaries’ needs, and to match them with appropriate solutions;
• Excellent communication and interviewing skills;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints;
• Focuses on result for the client

Education:

• University degree in journalism, public relations, communications, social or political science, governance and development;

Experience:

• More than five years of professional experience in journalism/report writing, monitoring, analytical reporting, programme and project-related experience;
• Extensive experience in designing, editing complex reports and publications is essential;
• A proven track record of producing high quality reports; samples of publications to be submitted;
• Knowledge of UN writing standards, terminology;

Language requirements:

• Fluent in English, knowledge of the Russian language is an advantage.

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html . The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount.  In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
• Personal Resume/CV including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees;
• A detailed methodology indicating phases, tasks, methods, techniques, time, resources, accessibility and tools to be applied for successful completion of the assignment. Submission of 1-2 samples of previous products would be required;

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant and having received the highest score – out of 100 points.

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70%, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

• University degree in journalism, public relations, communications, social or political science, governance and development – 25 points;
• More than five years of professional experience in journalism/report writing, editing complex reports and publications – 30 points;
• Experience in developing design of complex reports and publications – 15 points;
• Excellent English writing and editing skills, knowledge of Russian is an asset – 20 points;
• Detailed methodology to carry out an assignment – 10 points.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation – max 30 points.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.