c/o Helping Our People Excel (HOPE), Inc. Tubman Boulevard/Sophie’s Junction

Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia

Email: info@educateherlib.com

Website: www.educateherlib.com

Facebook: Educate HER Liberia

Phone: +231770643944/775515234

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY CONSULTANT

Terms of Reference

Employment Category: Contractor; based on set deliverables.

Location: Home-based; on-site as needed

Reports to: Executive Director

Duration: May 15 – June 15, 2024

BACKGROUND

Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) and the Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) have formed a partnership for an advocacy campaign; EDUCATE HER: Promoting Gender Equity and Equality in Education. Under the auspices of this campaign, we will build a coalition that will advocate for the effective implementation of the policies that will advance Girls’ Education in Liberia. HOPE and PAYOWI are national-level, women-led organizations, with experience in advocacy, education, policy development, and gender mainstreaming.

The goal of the Educate HER project is to contribute to the effective implementation of the National Policy on Girls Education 2021 -2026, (NPGE), with a specific focus on the areas of the policy addressing the key barriers to girls’ attendance, retention, and completion (GARC) in secondary schools. The coalition focuses on increasing the commitment of policymakers and key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the implementation of the NPGE, improving the monitoring and accountability of county and national stakeholders.

The project supports Civil Society advocacy for the Government of Liberia and education sector stakeholders and donors to increase investment in girls’ education.

And believes that if civil society roles and citizen participation are strengthened at both local and national levels, with increased increase monitoring, capacity, and coordination among education stakeholders, at the end of the project, education stakeholders will more effectively implement and monitor the NPGE.

The Educate HER-2 Project seeks to improve the implementation and monitoring of the NPGE focusing on its pathways to change in the following:

1. Coalition building and policy engagement – partnership development and national advocacy for supportive systems and policies for girls’ education.
2. Research and policy review – policy analysis, power mapping, resource mapping, and online data management system that will measure performance and impact.
3. Public awareness and civic participation – print and audiovisual media, information sessions with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), working sessions with local women and girls’ groups, meetings with traditional and religious leaders, and platforms for citizens to engage local decision-makers.

SUMMARY OF SERVICE

The Paramount Young Women (PAYOWI), on behalf of the Educate HER Coalition, shall hire a communications consultant for the anticipated contract term from 30h April 2024, to 3rd June 2024. The consultancy scope of work is to develop a three-year communications strategy to include radio and social media messages targeted at duty bearers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders for the implementation of the NPGE. The consultant will also train designated staff to roll out the strategy.

The consultant will closely coordinate with the Educate HER project and will connect for virtual (if feasible: in person) meetings with the Educate HER team.

SCOPE OF WORK AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant is expected to liaise with Educate HER partners and advocacy consultant for the development of content and innovative communication tools for visibility and advocacy. The consultant will carry out the following work that will feed into the development of the communication strategy:

1. Develop a Communications and Visibility package that:
   1. Contains a style guide for all communications on Educate HER to ensure consistent formats for publications and communication products;
   2. provides a summary of the institutional /project context for Educate HER
2. Develop a communications strategy that is aligned with the strategies outlined in advocacy plan, which will include:
   1. The identification of the target audiences (i.e.: Line Ministries, CSO, regional and local government; general public, communities located in both urban and rural areas, communities across all sectors areas, etc.);
   2. The identification of the communication objective for each targeted audience (Stakeholder mapping) (i.e., positioning Educate HER project in the national development context, creating awareness of Educate HER project at national and local levels, sharing knowledge on the project with stakeholders; etc.).
   3. The identification of the communication products and activities tailored to each audience, building on already produced national and international communication material, when possible, for each target audience.
3. Train communications team on public messaging, media outreach, content development and branding.

REPORTING AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

1. The consultant will report to the Paramount Young Women Initiative project focal person + Secretariat Coordinator,
2. The consultant will receive guidance or support from the Educate HER coalition Communication officer and other members of the team when needed;
3. Location: the consultant undertakes the assignment from his/her premise, but may occasionally use the Paramount Young Women Initiative office or the Educate HER project Secretariat office;
4. Language: all deliverables should be submitted in English

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications:

1. Advanced university degree or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience in communication, education, gender, or other related fields which include research and policy and international development.
2. The consultant should demonstrate prior experience in developing a communication strategy, ideally in the development / CSO context;
3. have a good understanding of the Liberian education system/ context;
4. Have extensive knowledge of girls’ education/issues as per the national (Liberia) and international context.

Professional Experience:

A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in communication strategy development in the context of gender is required.

Experience developing and implementing strategic, advocacy, and communications resources for a diverse audience is desired.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as communications and drafting capabilities, especially the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly.

The candidate should have familiarity with the Liberian education sector or with similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.

Professionalism

1. Ability to apply sustainable concepts and approaches.
2. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on issues related to the strategy and help determine the suitability medium of the strategy.
3. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Communication

1. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
2. demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

1. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
2. supports and acts by final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their CV and/or profile with cover letter to:

Subject: COMMUNICATION STRATEGY CONSULTANT

Educate HER Liberia

Tubman Boulevard/Sophie’s Junction, Congo Town Monrovia, Liberia

Or via email:

info@educateherlib.com/

paramountyoungwomeninitiative@gmail.com

DEADLINE TO APPLY is 10th of May 2024