DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

Transcription

1 DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION Introduction The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed by 27 European Union member states and 14 CARIFORUM states in October 2008; the 15th CARIFORUM state, Haiti, signed in December 2009). The Agreement came into effect through provisional application in December Some of the CARIFORUM states have established EPA Implementation Units and the remainder have opted for other mechanisms to coordinate EPA implementation. Institutions tasked with EPA implementation are primarily responsible for: coordinating national obligations arising from the EPA, in conjunction with relevant public sector stakeholders; communicating the substantive provisions of the EPA to the relevant stakeholders, including business community and civil society; and facilitating access to assistance, so as to enhance industries competitiveness as well as address supply-side constraints. In order to carry out their mandate effectively, relevant EPA implementation institutions must communicate proactively, regularly and on a sustained basis with stakeholders. In this regard, relevant institutions need to be positioned to purposefully implement communications and public education initiatives in a sound, systematized fashion. In recognition of the fact that many EPA implementation institutions are newly formed and may not have the necessary staff to dedicate to the development and implementation of the communications and public education dimension of the National EPA Implementation Work Plan, GIZ has agreed to provide the services of a Communications Consultant to assist such focal points through the provision of technical communications inputs into and capacity building regarding the development of their communication strategies and its implementation, as well as related awareness raising, advocacy and outreach activities.

2 OUTLINE OF THE WORK FOR THE PROPOSED POSITION Scope of Work The Consultant, with the assistance and input of the focal points of the regional EPA Implementation Unit and national EPA implementation institutions, will be responsible for following activities: Develop an online virtual network with information on the Agreement and its implementation, to serve as a central, collaborative hub for officials of EPA implementation institutions. It is envisioned that the virtual network will provide for a data base for knowledge management, a platform to showcase events and capacity building opportunities, news and success stories, links to support projects and initiatives, and a blog-styled discussion forum (including access to social media and other modern communication technologies) to share best practices and experiences regarding outreach; Organise and facilitate a training session for focal points on areas of strategic communications, with emphasis on: Development, editing and publishing of the content of strategic information materials for advocacy and training/capacity building purposes, including press releases, press kits, information packages for national sensitisation activities and other public education materials on the Agreement and its implementation; Media advocacy strategies, including liaising with media to communicate key messages to defined target audiences Website development, including content creation and the methods for managing a website and other social media platforms suitable for the objective of dissemination and interaction with the stakeholders utilising the most appropriate media platforms to meet their needs; 2

3 Effectively monitoring and evaluating various communications tools and activities, to measure the impact on achieving the overall objectives; Identify and collate a database of regional and international media outlets with which the Units could build links to enhance advocacy, outreach and strategic communications; Upon the request of the individual Units, the Consultant will also provide: - Assist EPA Implementation Institutions with the development and strengthening of national communications plans/strategies incorporating synergies between the Regional EPA Implementation Units communications strategy. Methodologically, this effort should incorporate a monitoring and evaluation system, including methods and tools to collect data on specific metrics on the various communications and public education activities and medium to assist with the evaluation of the impact on the overall objectives of the national communication strategies. - Assist with the development and copy-editing of public education materials on subject specific areas. Expected Deliverables The consultant will be expected to deliver those services in the context of the Terms of Reference in a timely manner. EPA Implementation Institutions are expected to interface with the consultant to request assistance in the areas detailed in the Terms of Reference. The consultant will be expected to deliver the following items during and at the end of the period of the project: An online virtual network 3

4 Advisory services to EPA Implementation Institutions, in the development and/or improvement of the communications and public education dimension of their work plan, development and production of public education materials; Training Session with focal points on strategic communications on the areas articulated in the scope of work; An updated database of contact information of regional and international media outlets; Two bi-monthly and one final report to GIZ detailing the work undertaken. Responsibilities of the Units 1. Each EPA Implementation Institution will identify a focal point who will be dedicated to the development and implementation of the communications strategy; 2. Each EPA Implementation Institution will develop a work plan, including time lines, detailing the assistance that they require from the consultant, based on the consultant s Scope of Work; 3. Each EPA Implementation Institution will provide GIZ with a final report on the work undertaken through the Project. LOGISTICS AND TIMING Duration of Project Six months. The proposed commencement date is February 2012 with a conclusion date of August

5 Location The project can be conducted remotely with contact with technicians via electronic communication. However, an initial face-to-face with each EPA Implementation Institution to discuss the requirements, implementation process and other pertinent details for the execution of the project and a final face-toface meeting to present the updated communication strategy. Also, the facilitation of the training session as articulated in the Terms of Reference will be conducted face-to-face with a representative of each EPA Implementation Institution. Equipment and Facilities No equipment will be purchased or provided by the Unit or the donor. Any equipment needed to complete the project will be provided by the consultant. The Unit will provide the necessary office facilities when the consultant is onsite. Any expenses, unless explicitly articulated by the Unit or the donor, will be at the expense of the consultant. QUALIFICATIONS The candidate shall meet the following minimum requirements: Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in communications, journalism, public relations or other related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of professional training, certification and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Computer/soft ware training would be an asset; 5

6 Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, communications, public or international relations, including minimum two years working experience at the international level. Experience in the area of web platform development/management is desirable; Knowledge of the EPA and CARIFORUM-EU relations; Excellent English language skills. The knowledge of Spanish, French and/or Dutch will be an asset; Highly developed communication skills, including ability to draft/edit texts and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style to a variety of audiences, as well as facilitation skills; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks, and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction; Intermediate to advanced MS Office skills, particularly Microsoft Publisher; Demonstrated experience in working with social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter; Demonstrated experience in writing communication strategies with a monitoring and evaluation framework; Availability and readiness travel; Positive work ethic with a willingness to learn. 6