TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
RSCA/RFP/2017/08
GENERAL INFORMATION
Services/Work Description: Developing a knowledge product/strategy on countering violent
narratives and extremist propaganda for Civil Society Organizations,
based on successful approaches
Project/Program Title:
UNDP Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in Africa: A
development Approach
Duty Station:
Home based, with envisaged travel
Type of the Contract:
National Consultancy Firm or International Consultancy Firm
Duration:
60 working days
Expected Start Date:
July 2017
I. BACKGROUND / RATIONALE
There has been a growing need for understanding how best to undertake strategic communications in
preventing or dissuading people, especially those at risk, from joining violent extremist groups. With the
growing threat of violent extremism and terrorism on the African continent, responses to these threats
have warranted the need for community-based interventions. One of such key interventions is the
engagement of media and alternative messaging to build cohesion, foster partnerships and provide
alternative narratives as a preventative as well as a remedial measure.
However, counter-narratives on violent extremism have so far not been able to effectively curtail or
counter violent extremism, with mainstream media tending to focus mainly on the destruction caused by
violent extremism. Various research on the subject has shown for any counter-narrative on violent
extremism to be effective - i.e. resonate with local communities and at-risk groups - they need to be
‘home-grown’ and ‘home-owned’, taking into account that no one-size-fits-all and that each community
might need to approach narratives differently based on their local context.
The UNDP’s four-year regional project “Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in Africa: A
Development Approach” aims to address and prevent the root causes of violent extremism. Output 4 of
the project intents to counter violent narratives and extremist propaganda. The project document can be
found
here:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Democratic%20Governance/Local%20Governance/UNDP
_RBA_Preventing_and_Responding_to_Violent_Extremism_2016-19.pdf
The UNDP regional and multi-country project aims to have communication strategies for each of its
outputs. The defined focus on countering violent narratives and extremist propaganda is as follows:
1) Strengthening civil society’s voice through engagement and partnerships with national/local media;
2) Creating video and radio programmes on counter-narratives and alternative narratives;
3) Launching public awareness programmes focused on encouraging individuals to disengage or prevent
them from joining violent extremist groups.
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Based on the need to strengthen efforts to counter violent narratives and extremist propaganda, the
UNDP regional PVE project aims to undertake the development of a strategy for CSOs on how best to
counter violent narratives and propaganda. The work proposed includes the organization of a workshop
with stakeholders, identifying best practices and drafting a strategy based on the results.
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE / WORK
The objectives of this consultancy assignment are: to 1) explore existing best practices on countering
violent narratives and propaganda, 2) gather stakeholders to share experiences on how CSOs work in
countering violent narratives, and 3) develop a strategy for CSOs on how to engage in countering violent
narratives and propaganda.
The specific objective for the workshop to be organized is to feed into a strategy on countering violent
narratives and extremist propaganda for the UNDP PVE project. The workshop will identify key strategies
to support efforts in communication geared towards the provision of alternative narratives. Specifically, it
should include a better understanding of:
1. Use of Social influencers: How best to make use of personalities who have established credibility
in specific fields (faith based, media, policy) and have access to targeted audiences and can
persuade others by their authenticity to promote PVE in communities and offer alternative
narratives.
2. Lobbying and advocacy: How best to influence PVE conversations within the media space and
garner public support for development approach to PVE
3. Traditional and new media campaign to spread alternative narratives: Exploring mechanisms and
developing content and disseminating messages through print (newspapers), electronic (TV and
radio), traditional mechanisms and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr etc.) to promote and
provoke public dialogue around PVE issues.
4. Community mobilization through participatory approaches: This approach proposes stimulating
conversations at the community level.
Specifically, the outcome of the workshop should be:
1. Guidance note on supporting national actors and relevant authorities on better communications
on the PVE agenda;
2. Provide recommendation and activities to be included in the toolkit on how to engage and
communicate narratives within the local context and through use of traditional and new media;
III. SCOPE OF THE SERVICE / WORK
a. Conducting preparatory research/consultations (desktop) on existing best practices on how CSOs
engage with different stakeholders, including media, in countering violent narratives and
propaganda (July 2017);
b. Organising (UNDP will bear the costs related to tickets and accommodation for participants only
related to the workshop) and conducting a two-day workshop in Rwanda to develop a
community-based media/communications strategy for countering violent narratives and
propaganda (August 2017), including preparing a concept note for the meeting and identifying
suitable participants (taking a gender dimension into account) and extending invitations to 25
participants, including CSOs, governments, faith-based groups and RECs;
c. On basis of the workshop, develop a toolkit for CSOs, including good practices with examples of
narratives that worked in countering violent narratives and propaganda (September 2017).
IV. EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES
a. A preparatory report based on (desktop) research on existing best practices on how CSOs engage
media in countering violent narratives and propaganda (July 2017);
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b. A workshop with CSOs, governments, faith-based groups, RECs and an ECCAS Member State to
develop a community-based media/communications strategy for countering violent narratives and
propaganda (July/August 2017);
c. On basis of the workshop, a toolkit is developed to inform the UNDP regional PVE project,
including good practices with examples of narratives that worked in countering violent narratives
and propaganda (September 2017).
V. LOCATION, DURATION AND TIMEFRAME OF THE WORK /DELIVERABLES/OUTPUT
This consultancy assignment will be home-based and will require travel of the consultant for field work to
organize and conduct the workshop. The consultancy firm will report regularly and at least after every
deliverable to UNDP. The total amount of the contract cannot exceed 30,000 USD.
No.
Deliverables
Location and
Action to be
Undertaken
Home based
Duration
(approx.)
1
-
Research on existing best
practices (July 2017)
15 working days
2
-
Workshop organisation and
execution (August 2017)
Home based and in
Rwanda
20 working days
3
-
Report including best
practices/toolkit and
recommendations for the UNDP
PVE Project (September 2017)
Home based
25 working days
60 working days
VI. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT / REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Service Provider will work under supervision of the PVE Project Manager at the UNDP Regional
Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa. The Service Provider will report to the PVE Project Manager
within a week after finalization of each deliverable.
VII. PAYMENT MILESTONES AND AUTHORITY
Prospective Service Provider will indicate the cost of services for each deliverable in US dollars when
applying for this consultancy. The Proposer will be paid based on the effective UN exchange rate (in case
of other currency denomination), and only after approving authority confirms the successful completion
of each deliverable as stipulated hereunder. In accordance with UNDP rules, the lump sum contract
amount to be offered should consider the professional fee inclusive of travel, living allowances,
communications, taxes, out of pocket expenses, and other ancillary costs.
A winning Proposer shall then be paid the lump sum contract amount upon certification of the completed
tasks satisfactorily, as per the following payment schedule:
Installment of
Deliverables or Documents
Approval should be
Percentage of
Payment/ Period
to be Delivered
obtained from:
Payment
1st Installment
Research/preparation
UNDP RSC
20%
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Installment of
Payment/ Period
2nd Installment
3rd Installment
Deliverables or Documents
to be Delivered
Workshop
Report
Approval should be
obtained from:
“
“
Percentage of
Payment
40%
40%
IIX. MINIMUM ORGANIZATION AND CONSULTANCY TASK FORCE REQUIREMENTS
The prospective Service Provider is expected to meet the following minimum requirements:
 It must have at least seven (7) years of practical experience in communications, media and/or
civil society engagement and preferably has thorough experience in engaging with the non- profit
sector, governments and UN agencies.
 Knowledge of relevant sectors and access to stakeholders and relevant information sources,
especially of the African region.
 Experience with similar assignments on strategy development in a regional context.
 Experience working with UN or other international organizations beneficial.
 Capability to deploy strong analytical aptitude, drafting, communication and presentation
expertise.
 Capability to deploy good communication expertise in English language; French language is an
advantage.
 It must be a registered organization.
 It shall demonstrate its capabilities, methodology and understanding of the ToR.
The team, consisting of a Lead Consultant (0.5 FTE) and Associate Consultant (1 FTE) should comprise
members with the following educational qualifications, experience and competencies:
Lead Consultant / Senior Expert
Academic Qualification:
 A post-graduate degree in social sciences or a related discipline.
Experience:
 A minimum of 10 years of proven experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa of which at least 5
years of at the regional level relating to PVE, communications, media or civil society engagement.
Competencies:
 Ability to undertake technical policy-focused research related to countering violent narratives and
propaganda;
 Ability to work under pressure and to deliver in a timely manner without compromising quality
standards;
 Strong communication skills;
 Strong drafting and editing skills;
 Strong presentation and facilitation skills;
 Proficiency should be in English and proficiency of French language will be an added advantage.
 Excellent command on both written and spoken English is essential.
Associate Consultant
Academic Qualification:
 A university Master degree in social sciences or a related discipline.
Experience:
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A minimum of 5 years of proven experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa of which at least 2
years of at the regional level relating to PVE, communications, media or civil society engagement.
Competencies:
 Ability to undertake technical policy-focused research related to countering violent narratives and
propaganda;
 Ability to work under pressure and to deliver in a timely manner without compromising quality
standards;
 Strong communication skills;
 Strong drafting and editing skills;
 Strong presentation and facilitation skills;
 Proficiency should be in English and proficiency of French language will be an added advantage.
 Excellent command on both written and spoken English is essential.

IX. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE BEST OFFER
Upon the advertisement of the Procurement Notice, qualified Consultancy Firm is expected to submit both
the Technical and Financial Proposals. Accordingly; the firm will be evaluated based on Cumulative
Analysis as per the following conditions:
 Responsive/compliant/acceptable as per the Instruction to Bidders (ITB) of the Standard Bid
Document (SBD), and
 Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial
criteria specific to the solicitation. In this regard, the respective weight of the proposals are:
a. Technical Criteria weight is 70%
b. Financial Criteria weight is 30%
X. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
List logistical support the Requesting Unit will offer to prospect Service Provider such as:
 The UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa will support the Consultancy Firm with logistics and
costs associated to the workshop.
XI. RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
For purposes of generating proposals whose contents are uniformly presented and to facilitate their
comparative review, a Service Provider advised to use a proposed Table of Contents. Hence, your
Technical Proposal document must have at least the preferred content as outlined in the respective RFP
Proposal Submission Form.
XII. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS
The consultants shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any
proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy or the Government without prior written
consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the
assignment shall become and remain properties of UNDP. This assignment will be administrated by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and all relevant UNDP rules, policies and procedures
will apply.
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TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
Summary of Technical Proposal Evaluation Forms
1
2
3
Expertise of Firm / Organization
Proposed Methodology, Approach and Implementation
Plan
Management Structure and Key Personnel
TOTAL
Score Weight
Points
Obtainable
30%
40%
300
400
30%
300
1000
100%
Technical Proposal Evaluation (FORM I)
Expertise of the Firm / Organization
1.1
1.2
Reputation of Organization and Staff / Credibility / Reliability / Industry
Standing
General Organizational Capability which is likely to affect implementation
- Financial Stability
- Loose consortium, Holding company or One firm
- Age/size of the firm
- Strength of the Project Management Support
- Project Financing Capacity
- Project Management Control
Points
Obtainable
50
90
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Extent to which any work would be subcontracted (subcontracting carries
additional risks which may affect project implementation, but properly
done it offers a chance to access specialized skills.)
1.4
Quality assurance procedure, warranty
1.5
Relevance of:
- Specialized Knowledge
- Experience on Similar Programme / Projects
- Experience on Projects in the Region
- Work for UNDP/ major multilateral/ or bilateral programmes
SUB TOTAL
Technical Proposal Evaluation (FORM II)
Proposed Methodology, Approach and Implementation Plan
2.1
To what degree does the Proposer understand the task?
2.2
Have the important aspects of the task been addressed in sufficient detail?
2.3
Are the different components of the project adequately weighted relative
to one another?
2.4
Is the proposal based on a survey of the project environment and was this
data input properly used in the preparation of the proposal?
2.5
Is the conceptual framework adopted appropriate for the task?
2.6
Is the scope of task well defined and does it correspond to the TOR?
Is the presentation clear and is the sequence of activities and the planning
2.7
logical, realistic and promise efficient implementation to the project?
SUB TOTAL
Technical Proposal Evaluation (FORM III)
Management Structure and Key Personnel
3.1
Senior Expert(s) / Lead Consultant(s)
General Qualification
Suitability for the project
- International experience
- Training experience
- Professional experience in the area of specialization
- Knowledge of the region
- Language qualification
3.2
Project Staff/ Associate Consultants
General Qualification
Suitability for the project
- International experience
- Training experience
- Professional experience in the area of specialization
- Knowledge of the region
- Language qualification
SUB TOTAL
Aggregate
1.3
15
25
120
300
30
25
20
55
65
120
85
400
30
30
90
50
30
10
10
20
20
10
300
1000
This TOR is approved by:
Name:
Fauziya Abdi Ali
Designation: Project Manager
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Signature:
______________________
Date Signed: 30 May 2017
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