UNDP Issues RFP For Strategic Communications and Media Training

UNDP has issued an RFP for Strategic Communications and Media Training. They have issued an RFP to improve the abilities of UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa’s cluster and team leaders to communicate better and more effectively with external audiences, including live and recorded interviews across different media types – radio, TV, written, as well as presentation skills.

Background:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges, and coordinating the efforts of the United Nations at country level.

Aiming to eradicate poverty, violence and hunger, UNDP supports countries in Africa to translate economic growth into long-lasting, inclusive human development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organisation works with governments, regional organisations, businesses and communities, helping countries to develop capacity, share knowledge and mobilize resources for sustainable development.

As an extension of the UNDP Headquarters, the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with additional offices in Dakar, Senegal and Nairobi Kenya, serves UNDP’s 45 Country Offices in sub-Saharan Africa, develops high quality knowledge and policy, and is the organisation’s main interface with regional and continental bodies such as the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities. The Centre also implements UNDP’s Regional Programme for Africa focused on enhancing inclusive and sustainable growth, widening political participation and giving everyone a voice, and developing responsive institutions which deliver desired services and promote inclusive processes of state-society dialogue.

Scope of Work:

• To provide high quality media and interview coaching to the RSCA cluster and team leaders in order to make their case convincingly and memorably – whether pitching their everyday development work, promoting everyday news messages, answering difficult questions, or managing a full-on crisis. The trainers will simulate realistic interviews and share insider secrets, tips and tricks to understand how reporters think and work. Here are a few interview scenarios to simulate:
  • An “expert commentator” interview on a live rolling news show
  • A studio interview for a major news announcement or launch
  • A profile interview with a national newspaper, with a video clip for its website
  • A telephone interview with a correspondent for an international newswire
  • A radio studio interview with a discussion programme on a talk radio station
  • A pre-recorded on-location interview for a local TV news feature package
  • An informal stand-up interview with a reporter covering a conference
  • A live evening TV panel discussion on a “thought leadership” topic
  • A “down-the-line” interview speaking direct to camera with an earpiece
  • A crisis statement and Q&A session or news conference

• To cover the concepts that are central to every strong media interview, including relevant video clips showing practical examples of good and bad performance;
• To devise a structured preparation process using worksheets to develop ideas and resources for participants: messages, proof points, news angles, media insight and more;
• To cover best practice and techniques for difficult situations and interviews;
• To provide participants with communications materials that they can draw on in their daily work;
• To provide individual assessment and expert feedback and learning points on strengths and weaknesses of participants after the training.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES

At the end of the training, all the participants will be able to:

• Understand media Dos and Don’ts – opportunities to grasp and mistakes to avoid;
• Direct the interview agenda proactively;
• Deal with confrontational journalists;
• Handle sensitive topics and crisis interviews;
• Prepare and articulate key messages on specific development work focus areas and reinforce them with credible and memorable examples tailored for different audiences;
• Maximize opportunities for attracting external attention to their UNDP work and positions on issues and convince journalists of the news value;
• Be aware of one’s voice, body language, clothing, and presentation style to suit the circumstances of the media/external encounter.

Due Date:

June 15^th, 2017 to

procurement.et@undp.org

PR firms who provide strong media training including Ketchum PR and Burson Marsteller.