Communications Specialist 640 views

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

Education and Skills Strengthening Project

Grant no.: IDA-D7600

Assignment Title: Communications Specialist (International)

Reference No.: MH-MOE-319158-CS-INDV

The Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Education and Skills Strengthening Project (ESSP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will assist the Project Manager and the RMI National Training Council to effectively implement the World Bank-funded project.

The assignment will focus on supporting the ESSP project activities related to the sound design and successful implementation of public communication activities, including dissemination in line with project’s timelines and objectives across components.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is indicated in the attached Terms of Reference (ToR).

The National Training Council now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach a Cover Letter of no more than four (4) pages addressing the mandatory experience and qualification requirements curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for electing the Consultant are:

Mandatory Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, or any other related field.

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in developing, designing, production and publishing/dissemination/airing of communication products using various media, and organizing, and producing major events of regional or international nature;
• Relevant experience in working for governments and/or international organizations on similar assignments, especially in strategic communications planning;
• At least 1 year experience in planning, management and sustaining an up-to-date project website and digital communication platforms;

• Computer proficiency, including ability to communicate regularly through email and use of Microsoft Office functions
• Fluency in English with very good verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven experience working professionally with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan, and manage multi-channel or multi-component programs or interventions with a team of diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of media landscape on RMI, specifically as it relates to the target audiences of the ESSP activities
• A solid understanding of communication principles and approaches
• Capability and proven experience in crafting messages in various formats (press releases, websites, success stories, blog entries, tweets, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences

• Experience in social media management

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised November 2020 “Procurement Regulations”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours; 0900 to 1700 hours local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 5:00pm, 28^th November, 2022. The subject line should state: “Communications Specialist- full name of the candidate”.

Julius Lucky
Director

National Training Council
ntcdr@ntcinfo.org
Phone: 692 625-4521

Cc: jpaul@pss.edu.mh

Malie Tarbwillin

Assistant Secretary,
Division of International Development Assistance
didadirector@gmail.com : filipesefeti@gmail.com

Phone: 692 625 5968

Susan Kommwa

Project Manager, ESSP

suekommwa@gmail.com

Phone: +265 999 521 818

 Republic of the Marshall Islands

Ministry of Education, Sports and Training

Terms of Reference

 Individual Consultant

1. BACKGROUND

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of the world’s smallest, most isolated, and vulnerable nations. The country consists of 29 atolls and five individual islands (24 out of these 34 atolls and islands are inhabited). It covers an area of 1.9 million square km (around the size of Mexico) but has just 181 square km in land area (around the size of Washington, DC). The population was estimated at 58,413 in 2018, of which around 28,000 (53 percent) reside in Majuro (the country’s capital) and 10,000 (18 percent) in Ebeye, the two largest urban centers. Its low elevation makes the country highly vulnerable to natural and climate related disasters threatening the physical viability of some areas of the main and more remote outer islands (OI).

Project summary

ESSP aims to increase access to and quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) opportunities and improve labor market outcome for Marshallese beneficiaries in RMI and abroad.

The key institutional agencies include the Ministry of Education, Sports and Training (MOEST), Public-School System (PSS), the National Training Council (NTC), and the Ministry of Finance, Banking and Postal Services, Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA).

This project will support the following:

1. Improvement in the general secondary education to increase acquisition of foundational skills (Math and English)
2. Expansion and improvements in the supply of technical and vocational training programs, specialization tracks within secondary schools, accredited college-level programs in post-secondary institutions, and shorter programs by governmental and non-governmental organizations.
3. Strengthening of the labor market intermediation services in the country such as workforce planning, counseling and career guidance, employment center, recognition of prior learning, work placement program, etc.
4. Project management and monitoring and evaluation. Financed M&E activities would complement existing M&E systems in collecting relevant data for monitoring the project, inform needed course-correction, and evaluate outcomes of As part of building MOEST capacity, the component would finance assessments, the development of a roadmap and action to prepare for (including make efficiency gains where possible) and navigate any changes in the level of, or access to, resources or services and ways of working which may alter as a result of the Compact renegotiations process.

NTC and PSS are the technical leads for their component(s). Each Agency has assigned one staff to manage the activities for about 30 percent of their work program. Of the project support a PIU comprised of two coordinators, one for NTC and one for PSS, one administrative assistant, and one project manager. Additional staff will include 1 coordinator for Ebeye, communication Officer and 1 M&E specialist. To maximize coordination and efficiency, the PIU is located within the NTC’s office.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The government of RMI is looking for a Communications Specialist to support ESSP project activities related to the sound design and successful implementation of public communication activities, including dissemination in line with project’ timelines and objectives across components.

III. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The international Communications Specialist (ICS) will take in leading role in developing of communications workplan and strategy after working closely with the National Communications Officer (NCO) to generate awareness and ensure the timely dissemination of information among all key stakeholders regarding the objective, principles, strategies, and lessons learnt during its implementation. The ICS will (i) lead on strategies, plans, and protocols, (ii) guide the NCO during the execution of strategies and plans; and (iii) develop the capacities of the National Communication Officer.

Specifically, the Communications Specialist will lead in the execution of ESSP knowledge management and visibility in close coordination with the National Communications Officer which will include, inter alia:

1. Develop the ESSP multi-stakeholder/multi-channel communication strategy
2. Lead in the planning and guide the execution of communication campaign targeting multiple stakeholders (through radio and television talk shows, press releases, brochures, newsletters, billboards, posters, and other promotion materials), that will enhance effectiveness and visibility of ESSP project;
3. Guide the National Communications Officer in providing accurate information and respond to enquiries packaged in a way suitable to the various types of project stakeholders.
4. Guide the NCO and advise the PIU in resolving difficult communication challenges
5. Identify possible target audiences for different media messages and develop applicable strategies to disseminate the messages
6. Train the National Communications Officer in the basic principle of the assignment
7. Orient project staff on communication and visibility requirements.

1. INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANIZATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Communications Specialist will report to the ESSP Project Manager.

The Government of RMI will provide the Financing Agreements, WB Guidelines, and all the existing reports and materials related to the Project. Government of RMI will provide office space, general office supplies and office equipment.

 DURATION, LOCATION, CONDITIONS

The position is a part-time and the consultant can work remotely.  The duration of the contract shall be 168 days spread in 12 months with the possibility to extend based on satisfactory performance and budget availability. The position would be subject to a probationary period of three (3) months.

1. OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES

The deliverables of the Communication consultant will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• ESSP communication workplan with clear tasks and activities and milestones defined
• Communication engagement plan with events specific communication workplan
• Up to date social media platforms with standard operation procedures for media coordination
• Media monitoring analysis report
• Awareness raising/campaign reports
• Well packaged project messages for media coverage

VII. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Mandatory Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, or any other related field.

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in developing, designing, production and publishing/dissemination/airing of communication products using various media, and organizing, and producing major events of regional or international nature;
• Relevant experience in working for governments and/or international organizations on similar assignments, especially in strategic communications planning;
• At least 1 year experience in planning, management and sustaining an up-to-date project website and digital communication platforms;

• Computer proficiency, including ability to communicate regularly through email and use of Microsoft Office functions
• Fluency in English with very good verbal and written communication skills.

1. Desirable Qualification and Experience

• Proven experience working professionally with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan, and manage multi-channel or multi-component programs or interventions with a team of diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of media landscape on RMI, specifically as it relates to the target audiences of the ESSP activities
• A solid understanding of communication principles and approaches
• Capability and proven experience in crafting messages in various formats (press releases, websites, success stories, blog entries, tweets, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences

• Experience in social media management