[Consultancy] Communications Specialist

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Communications Specialist

Caribbean Regional Development Program

1. INTRODUCTION

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization contracted by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to implement the Field Support Services Project (FSSP) in the Caribbean. The FSSP-C provides technical, procurement and logistical support to the Government of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program (CRDP).

In this instance, the FSSP-C is seeking to procure the services of Communications Specialist to provide technical expertise over a one-year period, with the possibility of contract renewal or extension. The Advisor will provide support to identify opportunities and enhance visibility within the target audience.

2. BACKGROUND

Canada’s CRDP has existing programming in 13 CARICOM countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and, Trinidad and Tobago). The CRDP programming is grounded in Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), particularly in the Action Areas outlined below:

• Environment and Climate Action
• Growth that Works for Everyone
• Human Dignity
• Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls
• Inclusive Governance

CRDP programming is for the most part multi-country and in some cases designed to promote Caribbean-wide harmonization and functional cooperation efforts, including communication, knowledge sharing and synergy among projects. Canada’s support is delivered through a number of partners including UN organizations, development banks, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Given Canada’s significant support in the Region, the services of a Communications Specialist is required to increase visibility, strengthen knowledge sharing and provide technical advice to Global Affairs Canada, hereinafter referred to as DFATD.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The main objective of the Communications Specialist will be to enhance the visibility of Canada’s CRDP in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries. The Communications Specialist will offer services which include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Define a strategic framework for CRDP’s communication efforts, identify key messages, target audiences, and establish clear goals and metrics to measure the success of the initiative.
2. Enhance the CRDP’s communication strategy by bolstering social media presence and increasing visibility in the ODA countries.
3. Define a comprehensive framework for portraying the outcomes of Canada’s assistance to ODA countries and identifying the most effective methods, including social media, to communicate the Program’s goals, achievements, and impact.
4. Provide communications support to identify opportunities and enhance visibility within the identified target audience through various mediums such as video, infographics, and interviews.
5. Analyse the current social media presence and identify areas for improvement, develop a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns with the Program’s objectives within the FIAP.
6. Provide recommendations on content creation, posting schedules, and engagement tactics.
7. Support the procurement of technical persons to develop high-quality, engaging video content, and design visually appealing infographics, that align with the communication strategy.  
8. Arrange and conduct interviews with key stakeholders and beneficiaries.
9. Collaborate with the key program’s communication team to ensure a unified and consistent message across communications channels.
10. Monitor and analyze data and feedback to continuously adapt the communications strategy for enhanced effectiveness.
11. Facilitate media training sessions for program staff, focusing on the latest media trends and best practices.  
12. Develop quarterly work plans. 

4. COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST PROFILE

The Communications Specialist will have the following education, experience, abilities, knowledge and skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited, recognized institution in a relevant discipline such as Mass Communications, Public Relations, Social and Behaviour Change Communication or other related fields. Having a Master’s Degree while not a requirement, it would be considered an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in mass, social and/or institutional communications in the Caribbean.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in development communications supporting international development programs and policy, preferably for a bilateral or multilateral development institution.
• Proven ability to develop approaches and materials for diverse target audiences including messaging on culturally sensitive issues
• Demonstrated experience implementing visibility communications
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing a successful communications strategy
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Knowledge of social media and multimedia tools, video production, content management, data analytics and digital marketing tools would be an asset.
• Knowledge of and expertise in using graphic design software for creating visually engaging content would be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Experience collecting data or reporting against indicators within one or more of Canada’s FIAP Action Areas (outlined in the Background) and analysing project and program results.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Capacity to work both with others and independently with minimal supervision.
• Capacity to proactively identify priority communication needs relevant to the Canadian development program.
• Understanding of the development sector.
• Capacity to plan and deliver the required outputs.
• Capacity to research, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing for a variety of audiences and purposes.
• Ability to develop and maintain networks.
• Ability to work in a CRDP country (valid work or permanent residence permit or citizenship certificate).

5. LANGUAGE OF WORK

Full written and oral proficiency in English. Proficiency in French would be an asset.

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical oversight of activities under the contract will be provided by GAC, this includes approving work plans, deliverables and reports. On contractual matters the Specialist will refer to the FSSP-C Program Manager.

7. DELIVERABLES

Ref. no.	Description of output	Detailed description of the components to be delivered by the Advisor	When
1	Quarterly Work Plan	Quarterly work plan detailing deliverables expected for that period. The work plan will be based on needs identified by DFATD and the Specialist’s recommended priorities and will require approval by DFATD. The work plan will be reviewed and updated monthly, taking into account changing priorities in the CRDP.	within 30 days of contract signing then every 3 months on date agreed
2	Monthly progress report	Monthly reports (max 2 pages), consistent with the priorities established in the work plan, will: (i) highlight tasks and results achieved; problems encountered and how they were dealt with; (ii) identify key issues for Global Affairs Canada’s attention, and make recommendations for follow-up; (iii) outline innovative initiatives, work plan/activities/expected results for the following month; (iv) provide a summary of work plan tasks completed, results achieved, and progress towards achieving results; (v) highlight relevant information of use to CRDP and projects, such as: outstanding issues and constraints, innovative initiatives, best practices, and lessons learned; and (vi) identify new opportunities, and make recommendations for the next work plan period.   Reports will be shared with the relevant High Commissions of Canada[1] and Global Affairs Canada headquarters, and other Monitors, Advisors and Specialists in the region, as appropriate.	Monthly on agreed date
3	Communications Strategy Framework	A comprehensive strategic framework outlining CRDP’s communications efforts, including key messages and content guidelines; defined target audience, clear objectives; metrics and tracking mechanism to measure progress	TBD based on the developed work plan
4	Social Media Strategy	A comprehensive social media strategy, specifically focusing on strengthening the CRDP’s social media presence and increasing visibility in ODA countries, aligned with the Program’s objectives within the FIAP. The strategy should include detailed content plan for implementation based on the analysis of the current social media presence and propose areas for improvement.	TBD based on the developed work plan
5	Framework for Depicting Results	A well-defined framework for effectively communicating the outcomes of Canada’s development assistance to ODA countries, particularly via social media, showcasing the Program’s goals, achievements, and overall impact.	TBD based on the developed work plan
6	Enhanced Visibility Materials	Support the development of communication materials to identify opportunities and enhance visibility within the target audience. These materials may include video content, infographics, and conducted interviews.	TBD based on the developed work plan
7	Content Creation Recommendations	A set of recommendations, including content creation of engaging and shareable content, posting schedules, and engagement tactics to optimize the Program’s social media presence and message effectiveness.	TBD based on the developed work plan
8	Conducted Interviews	A series of conducted interviews with key stakeholders and beneficiaries, featuring insightful discussions and insights that contribute to the Program’s communication efforts.	TBD based on the developed work plan

8. ESTIMATED LEVEL OF EFFORT

This assignment is a part-time position from January 2024 to December 2024, with the possibility of extension. A level of effort of between ten and fifteen days per month is anticipated.

9. MEETINGS

An initial meeting will be held to discuss the Terms of Reference and to ensure a clear understanding of the expectations. Monthly check in meetings will be held subsequently, including quarterly reviews of work plans. The Specialist will participate in other DFATD and sector-relevant meetings as identified and approved through quarterly work plans, or periodic ad hoc requests as required. 

It is anticipated that all meetings will be held virtually.

10. LOCATION OF WORK

The Communications Specialist will work remotely from their own facilities in a CRDP country.  

11. TRAVEL

No travel is anticipated for this assignment.

12. APPLICATIONS

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

If you wish to apply for this consultancy, please send an expression of interest and curriculum vitae by November 30, 2023 to [email protected] Please indicate “FSSP Caribbean – Communications Specialist” as the subject line of your email.

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[1] Bridgetown, Barbados, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Georgetown, Guyana, and Kingston, Jamaica