Communications Specialist
Procurement Process
IC - Individual contractor
Office
UNDP-PHL - PHILIPPINES
Deadline
06-Mar-25 @ 12:59 PM (New York time)
Published on
19-Feb-25 @ 12:00 AM (New York time)
Reference Number
UNDP-PHL-00665
Contact
UNDP Procurement Unit - procurement.ph@undp.org This specific tender is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP Quantum. If you are interested in submitting a bid for this tender, you must subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.
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Introduction
Country: PHILIPPINES
Description of the Assignment:
In the Philippines, Indigenous Peoples, particularly women, endure significant economic and social disparities, despite the countryโs adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Barriers such as limited access to education, health care, electricity, and financial services, as well as tenurial insecurity and lack of or limited investments both public and private, persist in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where ancestral domains are situated. These challenges, compounded by cultural and gender norms, hinder meaningful participation, leadership, and economic opportunities for Indigenous women and girls. Notably, 60% of the IPs in the country resides in Mindanao, a conflict-affected region that has been a focal point of international development efforts, including support from Aotearoa New Zealand over the past two decades.
Gender equality and womenโs empowerment are central to the New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tradeโs (NZ MFAT) international development agenda, as outlined in the Ministryโs Gender Action Plan (GAP) and its broader commitment to human rights. To address these issues, a targeted intervention in Mindanao is proposed, focusing on (i) enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for indigenous women and girls through investments in entrepreneurial skills and leadership training; (ii) raising awareness of the rights of indigenous women and girls; and (iii) addressing formal and informal customs that perpetuate gender-based social exclusion.
The initiative, named the Indigenous Women and Girls โ Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project, aims to bolster intergenerational socio-economic development of indigenous women and girls in Mindanao. It targets two key barriers: weak participation of Indigenous women and girls in governance and management of ancestral domains, and their constrained access to education and livelihood services hindering their economic participation.
To address these barriers, the Project will carry out interventions that will result in the following: (i) IP women and girls benefiting from improved accountability and transparency of ancestral domain management and governance; (ii) IP women and girls with increased income and improved livelihoods; and (iii) improved gender and human rights-responsive policy and institutional support for IP women and girls at national and regional levels. With these targets, the I-LEAD Project will undertake three interrelated and mutually reinforcing project components:
1. Ancestral domain governance is strengthened with a human rights and gender perspective
2. Gender-equitable and culturally appropriate economic empowerment
3. Support to NCIP and stakeholders on gender and human rights-responsive policy and knowledge management
The Project will operate in select ancestral domains in Regions XI and XII, and will prioritize gender and human rights perspectives, ensuring the full enjoyment of rights by diverse gender identities, especially women, and empowering individuals to claim and advocate for their rights.
3. Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the I-LEAD Project Manager and the Programme Analyst of the Climate Action Programme Team, the Communication Specialist will be responsible for the following functions:
a. Communications and outreach for the Inception Phase:
ยท Develop a Communication Plan with resource requirements based on the assessment of communications needs and priorities of the Project and in line with the UNDPโs corporate communications strategy and New Zealandโs branding protocols; and
ยท Assist in the development of communication materials and templates in line of the UNDPโs corporate communications strategy and New Zealandโs branding protocols
b. Formulation of the Inception Report[1] and mandatory annexes:
ยท Together with the Project Development Specialist and Gender and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, develop a Communication and Knowledge Management Plan with resource requirements for the Implementation Phase, taking into account the results of the technical studies and based on the assessment of communications needs and priorities of the Project and in line of the UNDPโs corporate communications strategy and New Zealandโs branding protocols;
ยท Develop core messages and initial strategies in communicating these messages with recommendations on the appropriate communication products and dissemination plan;
ยท Define target project audiences, roles and responsibilities, and framework for continuous evaluation and improvement (MERL);
ยท Provide expert inputs to the development of Inception Report, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, UNDP Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Livelihood Process Framework (LPF), and Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF); and
ยท Develop a presentation material of the Inception Report to be used for securing the necessary approvals.
Qualifications
Criteria
Maximum Obtainable Points
A Masterโs degree or higher in relevant fields such as gender studies, social sciences, international development, or sustainable development
20
A minimum of 7 years of experience working in the field of media relations, journalisms or/and communication in program and project design and implementation; preference is given to the candidate with experience in both project development and implementation.
Extensive experience in applying international norms and standards on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in development projects; experience working with UNDP, other international organizations, national government agencies, and civil society organizations is desirable.
25
Demonstrated expertise in developing communication plan and strategies and developing appropriate communication materials using diverse types of medium, and proven ability to shape messages and stories for advocacy and raising awareness.
Proven experience working with indigenous communities and familiarity with issues related to cultural preservation, land rights and sustainable development.
20
Quality and relevance of a sample communication product
5
Fluency in Filipino and excellent written and spoken English.
Pass/fail
TOTAL
70
Period of assignment/services: April 2025 to September 2025
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