Terms of Reference for UNICEF Web Support and Promotionconsultant(International/National)

TERMS OF

REFERENCE

Terms of Reference for UNICEF Web Support and PromotionConsultant(International/National)

Background and Justification

It is highly important for an organization like UNICEF to promote its activities through the online environment and to have a consistence web-presence. With this purpose, the UNICEF Uzbekistan Country Office (UCO) has developed two websites: 1) local UCO website in three languages; 2) new website for the joint European Union-UNICEF-Ministry of Health project “Improvement of Mother and Child Health Services” - Phase II.

The websites will serve as a gateway to the UNICEF-Government Programme of Cooperation and keep informed about its results diverse audiences and beneficiaries, including government agencies, civil society organizations, youth, mass media, and development partners. The websites are hosted in Uzbekistan’s domain to provide easy and affordable access of local population to UCO/UNICEF Uzbekistan online resources.

This endeavour is new for UCO and requires specialized technical knowledge and experience in web support, monitoring, analytics and promotion. The UCO IT Assistant has been assigned a web-master function and just completed related training. However, in the initial start-up stage of 6th months, the internal team will also need specialized technical support from a full-time dedicated person to maintain, develop and promote further the new websites of UNICEF UCO. After that period, the scope of technical support tasks will be assessed against the evolving needs and requirements for UCO websites and revised accordingly.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this Terms of Reference is to hireservices of a qualified consultantfor technical support required during the start-up period for maintaining, further development and promotion of new websites.

For post-launch period, the scope of technical support services will be revised based on the emerging needs and requirements for UCO websites.

Duty Station

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Contract Supervisor

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of Chief of Communication and direct supervision of Communication Officer. She/he will work under the Communication Section cooperating closely with theIT Assistant and Programme Sections.

Tasks to be accomplished

Website development and content management:

- Develop and implement aplan of action for the development and promotion of the UCO websites and social media pages, with specified goals, indicators, approaches, timeline and expected quantitative outcomes;

- Support the implementation of a work flow for the regular update and maintenance of the websites and social media pages;

- Support the internal team in regular updatingof the websitesand related social media pages.

- Provide inputs to/assist in preparation of new content for the websites. This will include editing and organizing photos and video footage;

- Support social media marketing activities and strategies; provide support in developing interaction with users and engaging them through quizzes and surveys;

- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Website maintenance:

- Support the IT Assistantin administering the websites and maintaining cloud service;

- Solve/trouble-shoot website functions as required;

- Assist in developing and implementing Search Engines Optimization strategies to increase website visibility;

- Contribute to feasibility studies, systems analysis, development, implementation and evaluation and testing of website improvements and web-based applications;

- Provide user guidance and training support to office staff for the web application.

Website monitoring and reporting:

- Observe timeline and benchmarks for UCO websites, track and evaluate their usability and performance;

- Provide constant web monitoring to ensure that the websites are live and functioning;

- Monitor online processes & procedures, e.g. content generation, publishing etc. and provide suggestions for improvement;

- MonitorUCO websites and social media accounts on a daily basis, review users’ feedback, analyze usage statistics and search engine resultsand provide timely information to UNICEF;

- Make recommendations on websites’ enhancement and improvement of their functionality based on the gathered data from monitoring reports and its analysis.

Deliverables (with timeline)

Timely and quality support to the maintenance and promotion of the UCO websites and related deliverables provided in accordance with given assignments/established timelines, resulting from the task portfolio described in the TOR.

Estimated duration of contract

Six months, from 15August 2013to 15 February 2013.

Official Travel Involved

The consultancy will be Tashkent-based.

Estimated Cost of Consultancy

Contractors are required to submit their financial rates for website support services as part of their proposal. It should be noted that UNICEF will review the proposed rates against its established rates taking into account local market rates as well as current practices of other UN agencies operating in the country.

The contractor is expected to cover his/her travel and accommodation expenses.

Payment schedule

The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis upon submission and acceptance of adetailed activity report (including achievements, lessons learned and ways to improve). Contractor’s assignment will be considered completed and fees for his/her services will be paid only after approval of the quality of products by the UNICEF Supervisor.

Qualification or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

-University Diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science or related disciplines;

-At least three of progressive work experience in web resources development: web design, programming, content.

-Proven experience in internet marketing: search optimization, promotion of the websites, cross promotion and cross linking, etc.

-Proven knowledge of Content Management Systems (CMS). Good knowledge of Bitrix CMS will be an asset.

-Understanding of how web protocols work, including HTTP, HTTPS, SSL, SSH and FTP with ability to rapidly learn and master diverse web technologies and techniques.

-Basic Understanding of Linux server as a web server; knowledge of network protocols including TCP/IP and DNS; knowledge of Parallels Plesk Panel ver. 11.0 or above; knowledge of Relational Databases, particularly MySQL.

-Linux administration skills and working knowledge of PHP, HTML, JavaScript and XML will be an asset.

-Proficiency with Graphics Software Applications (i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Suite, etc.) and experience in using such tools as Macromedia, Flash, etc. Video editing software experience will be an asset.

-Knowledge of Google Analytics and other web statistics tools.

-Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including WORD, EXCEL and PowerPoint.

-A combination of excellent problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills.

-Ability to work in a fast-paced, multitasking environment.

-Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencieswill be an asset.

-Good command of English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek languages will be an advantage.

-Holder of resident permit in Uzbekistan.

(Additional Guidelines)

UNICEF websiteguidelines, UNICEF web security guidelines.

Reservations and remarks

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/deliverables are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and cannot be submitted, distributed to or used by any other party. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

Letter of interest.
Updated CV and UN Personal History form (P-11).
Brief history of completed consultancies relevant to this assignment.
Financial proposal for the consultancy.

by COB 9 August 2013 to the following email address: