Project Communication Specialist at Ministry of Finance

Government of Malawi
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)
(Appointment Type: Local Hire)
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2 (RCRP)
PROJECT ID: P181308
DATE OF ISSUE: 31st JANUARY 2023
TIME COMMITMENT: 100%
ACCOUNTABLE: PROJECT COORDINATOR
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 5 YEARS

The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has applied for financing towards the cost of the Regional Climate Resilience for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 (RCRP). The EP&D intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring various Project specialists and an intern.

The EP&D invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the position of Project communication specialists, recruited as individual consultants following World Bank Regulations dated September 2023.

Position Title : Project Communication Specialist (1 Position)

The Objectives of the Assignment
The overall responsibilities of the Communication Specialist are to develop, manage, coordinate; network, implement, and monitor communication strategy and associated products for the Project in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in adherence with the World Bank’s Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated September
2023.

Duties and Responsibilities
Specifically, the Project Communication Specialist will perform the following duties:

1. Design a strategy to raise awareness of project activities to enhance good participation of all stakeholders;
2. Work closely with TTs for the development and implementation of the communications strategy including
   the communications needs assessment, risk and stakeholder mapping;
3. Provide technical inputs to the procurement (ToRs, EOI and RFPs) and other technical operations for the project to facilitate smooth achievement of goals and objectives;
4. In consultation with project management, target audiences and other stakeholders, review the existing communication environment, examine perceptions of the project activities (interventions, outputs and outcomes) and incorporate findings of this analysis in the strategy;
5. Monitor and capture results of the Project and appropriately package and disseminate them accordingly;
6. Identify communication channels, type of media, frequency, and formats and prepare detailed, outreach products that promote the strategic and timely flow of information and key messages about the Project;
7. Ensure overall quality control of the project communications by assisting in compiling and editing project reports, managing engagement events with stakeholders;
8. Prepare minutes of the meetings, work plans, calendars, and agenda;
9. Prepare key relevant project messages in consultation with all TTs and other key stakeholders for the Project;
10. Develop communication products (including press releases, video clips/testimonials, radio spots, talking points, street plays, social media, IEC material and website content etc.) in line with the strategy for the Project. This includes organizing press conferences, interviews, and press encounters for the Project when requested;
11. Work closely with the social expert and M&E expert to facilitate and support systematic exchange of information (including maintaining good communication protocols) between PCU and key stakeholders for Project;
12. Contribute to the development and delivery of communication strategies for project events and forums;
13. Develop/Update and manage project website and social media accounts;
14. Initiate and sustain effective professional relationships with key internal and external constituencies (including the media, civil society, NGOs, grass-root communities, traditional leaders, parliamentarians, etc.), and establish mechanisms for obtaining feedback from these stakeholders;
15. Conduct media monitoring on a daily basis- alert and advise project teams in case of negative press and devise and implement a crisis communications protocol for the project;
16. Incorporate lessons learnt from negative press and issues raised in stakeholder consultations in the communications strategy;
17. Participate in the preparation and undertaking of periodic project review workshops;
18. Work closely with social safeguard teams and TTs on stakeholder consultation workshops along with their
    outcome and way forward;
19. Participate in the external (The World Bank) supervision missions and project review workshops;
20. Maintain a record-keeping system for all activities of the Project;
21. Perform any other duties as may be required and assigned by the Project Coordinator;
22. Sensitizing community on availability of Grievance Redress Mechanism and how it functions in liaison with the Social Specialist;
23. Sensitizing community about Gender Based Violence prevention and response; and
24. Performing any other duty as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Project as assigned by Project Coordinator;

Reporting Requirements
The Communication Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for all his/her technical and administrative
operations.

Qualification and experience

The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism or other relevant discipline;
2. At least 5 year’s general experience and 2 year’s specific experience in handling work on communication and public relations for donor-funded projects;
3. Specialized training in communication, journalism, mass media, public relations, IT, planning, strategies or any other skills considered relevant for the position;
4. Excellent language skills and proficiency to write and edit engaging and targeted communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation;
5. Knowledge and practical experience in the range of communication approaches, tools and methodologies
   essential to planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies;
6. Ability to nurture and maintain relationships with critical internal and external constituencies and stakeholders;
7. Proven ability to identify and strategically engage with a range of stakeholders and audiences- media, development partners, parliamentarians, business organizations, academics, young professionals and other opinion leaders at grassroots;
8. Strong computer skills – Word, PowerPoint, Publishing Programs; and use of modern media equipment; and
9. Be conversant with the local language

Duration of the assignment
The Project Communication Specialist will be recruited for a period of five (5) years, with the contract renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance, need and availability of
funding.

Facilities to be provided by the Client
The following shall be provided by the Client: office space, furniture, office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per diems etc.) related to the fieldwork.

Location of Employment
All the Project Specialists will be based at the Project Coordination Unit in Lilongwe but would be required to travel regularly to other relevant field offices where the RCRP is implementing its activities.

Method Of Application

Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of interest including updated detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by Tuesday, 13th February, 2024 on or before 10:00 hours, local time.

The Project Coordinator,
Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project,
Department of Economic Planning and Development,
P. O. Box 30136,
Lilongwe
Malawi.
(Attention: The Procurement Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: [email protected] : /copy [email protected]