Provision of Communications Services for the Global Matchmaking Platform

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

The total duration for the whole assignment is estimated to be 12 months starting at the contract award.

Deadline: 27.03.2025 17:00:00 CET

Background: The Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP) was launched at COP29 as a flagship initiative under the umbrella of the Climate Club, designed to fast-track the decarbonization of high-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies. By connecting country-specific industrial decarbonization needs with globally leading technical and financial solutions, the GMP acts as a key support mechanism for fostering collaboration among governments, private sector entities, financial institutions, and development agencies. The GMP’s mission is to bridge the critical funding and technology gaps necessary to achieve industrial decarbonization and accelerate global climate action.

Scope of Work and Deliverables: The objective of this assignment is to provide comprehensive communications support for the next phase of the GMP following its formal launch at COP29. The services will focus on refining the platform’s communications tools, expanding outreach, and increasing stakeholder engagement across key communication channels. This includes:

General Objectives:

• Develop and enhance communications strategy and implement communication strategy of the Global Matchmaking Platform.

• Enhance the visibility and credibility of the GMP as a leading platform for collaboration in supporting industrial decarbonization across emerging and developing economies.

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through strategic communications across multiple channels.

• Support the dissemination of knowledge products and success stories to inspire global action.

• Maintain coherence with the Climate Club’s objectives and ensure alignment with UNIDO’s broader mission.

Specific Objectives:

• Refine and develop on the existing GMP website, ensuring it serves as a dynamic, user-friendly portal for stakeholders.

• Development of a dedicated portal for governments and partnering organizations to use exchange information and communication.

• Expand the platform’s presence on social media, such as LinkedIn and X, with tailored content strategies including graphics and videos to engage target audiences.

• Elevate messages from partner organizations and encourage cross-pollination of ideas through the various channels of the platform.

• Organize webinars and high-level dialogues to provide updates on GMP activities and foster collaboration with partners supported by an editorial calendar, contacts database, and media outreach.

• Develop and disseminate newsletters, publications, and case studies highlighting GMP’s impact and opportunities for engagement.

•Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities to ensure continuous improvement.

Target Group:

The GMP communications strategy aims to engage the following target audiences, among others:

• Policymakers working on issues of industry decarbonization across both developing and developed countries;

• International organizations and initiatives focused on industrial decarbonization;

• Private sector entities, including technology providers and high-emitting industries;

• Financial institutions and investors;

• Development agencies and think tanks;

• Media outlets specializing in climate and industrial development;

• Academic and research institutions;

• Civil society organizations.

Deliverables:

Under guidance and close partnership with the project team, the communications service provider for the GMP is expected to deliver on the following.

Communications Strategy

• Create a detailed communications strategy for GMP’s post-launch phase, focusing on clear messaging, audience segmentation, and multi-channel integration to amplify outreach and engagement.

•Ensure the strategy aligns with GMP’s goals of industrial decarbonization in emerging and developing economies and complements UNIDO’s mission and the Climate Club’s objectives.

• Establish a messaging framework that highlights GMP’s unique value proposition, showcases its impact, and positions it as the leading platform for industrial decarbonization.

Website Development and Maintenance

• Develop the GMP website, including improved navigation, design updates, and interactive features.

• Develop country-specific pages showcasing tailored decarbonization strategies and success stories.

• Create a knowledge-sharing hub featuring best practices, tools, and case studies.

• Create a portal for engaging the governments and partnering organizations for information sharing and communication exchange.

• Ensure search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance discoverability.

Social Media Engagement

• Develop and implement a content calendar for LinkedIn and X with at least 12 high-quality posts per month, aligned with GMP milestones and events.

• Produce high-quality posts, including infographics, videos, and thought leadership pieces.

• Facilitate live coverage of webinars, events, and key announcements.

Webinars and Dialogues

• Plan, promote, and execute at least six webinars covering topics such as industrial decarbonization pathways, innovative financing, and sector-specific strategies; along with three high-level dialogues and roundtables at major events such as the UNFCCC Climate Conference (COP30), Berlin Energy Transitions Dialogue, and International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum. These examples are indicative and can be adjusted based on emerging priorities, key events, and partner interests.

• Provide technical support for hosting virtual events, including platform management and post-event summaries.

• Engaging with the press – including support in organizing a press conference, placing op-eds and more.

Publications and Newsletters

• Produce and disseminate two global articles/newsletters per quarter (8 in total) and one thematic publication per quarter (4 in total).

• Develop knowledge products with proofreading and graphic design, including 12 case studies, 4 op-eds, and 1 end-of-year report showcasing GMP’s impact.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Establish KPIs to measure the success of communications activities, including web traffic with a target of 25% increase, social media engagement with a target of 25% increase, and stakeholder participation.

• Provide quarterly reports with KPIs detailing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

• Creation of a website/social media handover manual with technical instructions for future management with all resources created.

Requirements:

• Content of the technical proposal: proposed detailed description of the services to be provided, the key experts/personnel to be assigned for the provision of the required services, CVs and degrees of key experts/personnel, references of similar work; and a PowerPoint presentation (PPT slides) of ideas of how to build the GMP Communications plan);

• Financial Proposal in EUR including all costs and taxes (includes cost breakdown for each activity).

Turnover: The average annual turnover for the past 3 years should normally not be below EUR 300,000.

The Bidder should indicate any established Quality System/Standards certified by an internationally recognized body, i.e. ISO 9001, etc.

Evaluation criteria

1 Quality of the proposal: Technical proposal in compliance with the requirements of the Terms of Reference (Appendix 1), including a PowerPoint presentation (PPT slides) to highlight and visualize the approach that the Communications Service Provider would take to deliver on the deliverables indicated in the ToR. (40 points)

2 Contractor’s qualification in the following:

Proven track record of relevant work, with demonstrated experience in developing multilingual communication content on climate, sustainable energy, and industry decarbonization (35 points)

3 Experience Project team having at least 10 years of experience in website development, communications, and marketing, as well as social media management, specifically focused on environmental and sustainable development issues. Additionally, at least one key team member has been actively engaged in these areas for a minimum of 5 years. A gender-balanced team is also an advantage. (25 points)

4 Language: The bidder must have available English, French, Spanish and Arabic speaking (working-level proficiency), qualified personnel for the assignment.