Creation of a Global Communications strategy in support of the United Nations Decade on Biodiver ...

An organization specializing in strategic communications and marketing. It will have experience in the conception, design and delivery of outreach and awareness-raising strategies and campaigns. It will have a global reach in at least 3 of the United Nations regions of the world. Such a firm will have the following experience: 1) Communications experience: a) designing and launching communications and marketing campaigns; b) creating strategic communication plans for governments (at any level), and/or key governmental partners; c) environmental and sustainable development messaging; d) development of marketing and communications collateral including print, video, audio and web; e) integration of social media and website communication in such strategies; and f) graphic design and visual design experience. 2) Training experience a) Experience in designing training and capacity-building materials for strategic communications skills; b) Experience in conducting training sessions with government representatives; and 3) Subject Matter experience. Ideally, the partner should have the following subject matter experience: a) designing communication campaigns or products that have dealt with the three objectives of the CBD: the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources, b) sustainable development; c) social marketing and behavioural change; d) familiarity with the programme of work of Communication, Education and -Public Awareness of the CBD. Knowledge of similar CEPA programmes of other multilateral environmental agreements is also an asset. e) familiarity with key global and regional institutions engaged in supporting implementation of the CBD and related agreements is an asset. 4) International Experience a) Has worked in at least 3 United Nations regions, such as Africa, West Asia, Latin America, Europe, East Asia; and b) Has worked with at least one United Nations Agency or programme in the past. At the end of the work, the partner will have produced, in collaboration with and guidance of the secretariat a global communications strategy and framework addressing the communications and awareness-raising needs for the second half of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. The partner will also have worked with 5 developing country Parties, selected by the CBD Secretariat, to create, through an interactive process, a communications strategy that promotes one of the following: - The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of the country - The implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity in the context of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity In creating this global strategy, the following actions and activities will be included - SWOT analysis of communication at the mid-point of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, with a projection to the end of the Decade in 2020. - Review of existing communications, audiences and messaging, conducted online, telephone and/or through use of surveys - Discussions with key actors and partners, including Parties to the CBD, the CBD Secretariat, relevant international organizations, including, but not limited to UNESCO, IUCN, UNEP, GEF, the biodiversity-related Conventions , NGOs, indigenous peoples and local communities - Audience analysis, including description of key segments, and identification of priority target audiences for different entities (e.g., CBD Secretariat, Parties, stakeholder organizations) - Overarching communication goals for the CBD Secretariat, the Parties to the CBD and other UN system actors in the context of the UNDB and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity which follow its strategic direction, vision and mission. - In the context of the overarching communication goals mentioned above, identification of target groups, their characteristics and intended behavior change as a result of communications work - On the basis of research conducted above, and the outputs of a workshop on messaging conducted in late 2015-early 2016, core messaging for the UNDB, with suggested variations , including guidance on adaptation of messaging for specific organizations and audiences, including delivery plans and guidelines. - A suggested calendar of events, including activities related to and linked with major international environmental conference and events in the years 2016 through 2020, where they are known. - Identification of communication needs for a redesigned CBD website - Visual branding guidelines for the CBD Secretariat, for Parties and other UN system actors. - Participation in and planning for teleconferences and video conferences with the Secretariat and with other actors during the project process. - The holding of an event at COP-13 A facilitative and participatory process for engaging with 5 developing country Parties to produce the following: - SWOT analysis of communication needs for the Party’s NBSAP or Biodiversity Strategy, including a review of existing communications, audiences and messaging, conducted online, telephone and/or through use of surveys - Discussions with key actors and partners, needed to implement the national strategy Audience analysis, including description of key segments, and identification of priority target audiences, their characteristics and intended behavior change as a result of communications work - On the basis of research conducted above, core messaging including guidance on adaptation of messaging for specific organizations and audiences, including delivery plans and guidelines. An outline of an implementation plan that includes activities, events and suggested budgets. - Suggested survey methodologies for development of awareness-raising strategies by Parties and other actors (capacity building activity). - Templates, guidelines and example methodologies for creation of national awareness raising strategies, and for other common outreach activities (capacity building activity); - Guidelines for training and communication activities based on examples of awareness-raising activities carried out by Parties or other actors. (Capacity building activity) - Guidelines on the possible structure of capacity-development workshops to train communicators and engage target actors. (Capacity building activity)