National Consultant - Communications Consultant to Support the implementation of 2022 Round Table Implementation Meeting and Related Activities

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

The Roundtable Process (RTP) in Lao PDR is the key national framework to bring together Government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to work together more effectively. Currently taking place every five years, High-Level Round Table Meetings provide inclusive forums to support the design and implementation of the country’s national development plans. Round Table Implementation Meetings (RTIMs) are held every year to take stock of progress made in the past year and set joint priorities for the coming year. The ten Sector Working Groups are the key coordination platforms for each thematic area of development in Lao PDR’s Round Table Process. They are led by the Government and include development partners, civil society organizations and representatives from the private sector. The groups serve as discussion forums, aim to build consensus on development priorities, and make development cooperation more effective, as set out in the Vientiane Declaration of 2015

The RTP process for 2022 includes annual RTIM which builds on the High-Level Round Table Meeting of 2021. The 2022 RTIM is scheduled for the end of November 2022 while several pre-consultation meetings are organized including a RTP retreat meeting and a meeting of the Chairs and Co-Chairs of the Sector Working Groups in advance. With support from USAID, UNDP is currently providing technical and implementation support to the Department of International Cooperation (DIC) of the Ministry of Planning and Investment to organize this year’s RTIM and the activities leading up to the RTIM. UNDP is currently seeking the services of a Communications Consultant to provide support to implement the proposed activities

OBJECTIVE :

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP National Programme Officer for the Poverty Reduction Unit and in close coordination with DIC, MPI the Consultant is expected to provide support in the communication and outreach activities of the proposed activities relating to 2022 RTIM.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:

• Work with the Communication Officer of MPI, UNDP, UNRCO in reviewing and finalizing various communication products, including videos.

• Manage the Round Table Process (RTP) website including uploading all the Press Releases, updating calendars, posting photos, collecting documents from relevant stakeholders and publishing them.

• Design front page banners for the RTP website.

• Compile and publish the reviewed documents related to the 10 Sector Working Group Meetings and other RTP related meetings onto the RTP website.

• Upload the press releases on the various social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

• Organize photography/videography for all events leading up to the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2022

Draft press releases and communication and outreach material related to the proposed events

Competencies

Knowledge and experience in government administration and processes within Lao PDR
Result oriented, patient, and hands-on with good teamwork skills
Excellent computer skills (word, excel, power-point, internet, and other related matters)

Required Skills and Experience

A minimum bachelors’ degree from a reputable accredited university in communications and other related disciplines;
Minimum 3 years of experience at the national level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Previous experience in providing translation support preferred.
Experience of working with government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, research institute in the field of economic and social development preferred.
Excellent coordination skills, including demonstrated experience in liaising with government representatives and development partners.

LANGUAGE :

Excellent working knowledge of written and spoken English
Fluency in written and spoken Lao is required