AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AFRICAN WATER FACILITY
Interested firms may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 8:00 to 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. local time in Cote D’Ivoire.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in French or in English to the address below by the 26th October 2020 at 5.00pm and mention “Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services : Communication Specialist”.
Attn : African Water Facility
African Development Bank
Mr. MWINJAKA, OMARI RAMADHANI, Coordinator, AWF
Physical Address :
Immeuble CCIA Abidjan Plateau, Avenue Jean-Paul II
BP 1387, Abidjan 01 Cote D’Ivoire E-mail : mwinjaka@Afdb.Org Copy : f.kargbo@afdb.org
TERMS OF REFERENCE :
1 BACKGROUND :
The African Water Facility (AWF), hosted at the African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the assignment as short-term Consultant Communications Specialist.
The services to be provided under the assignment consist of working in a small team and providing communication support to the AWF Secretariat team in the implementation of the AWF activities as approved by the relevant authorities, as well as provide some communications to the wider Bank Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS).
The AWF invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest by providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, work samples/clips, experience in similar assignments, etc.).
The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Procurement Policy for Recruitment of Corporate Consultants. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.
The probable duration of the assignment is four (4) months with an estimated starting date of 15 November 2020.
Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address provided at the top of this document.
2 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT :
2.1 Background :
In light of its wide scope of strategic objectives, the African Water Facility at the African Development Bank (the Bank) is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Communications Specialist to support its communication strategy with the aim of expanding the visibility and outreach of AWF. The incumbent will have to design, implement measure success of a comprehensive communication strategy program with a focus on generating communications content, reputation management, knowledge dissemination and advocacy, as well on the developmental results delivered and, ensure that AWF is branded in way that is consistent with its vision and mission, and leverage its niche positioning.
The African Water Facility (AWF) has been established in 2004, under the initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), to mobilize resources to finance water resources development activities in Africa. It is hosted and managed by the African Development Bank, specifically, within the Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS) is part of the Bank’s Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex (AHVP). Since its operationalization in 2006, the AWF has developed a grant portfolio of 117 projects in 52 countries, including the most vulnerable countries.
AHWS is responsible for the coordination of the Bank’s water development and sanitation-related activities and to contribute to achievement of the High 5s: Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. Through its two Divisions: AHWS.1 for water coordination and partnerships, and AHWS.2 for water security and sanitation, and the African Water Facility (AWF), the Department supports regional hubs and country offices in the development and promotion of new knowledge, approaches and tools for green and inclusive water resources development and management, and for improved sanitation. The Department is also responsible for the origination of Non-Sovereign Operations (NSOs). In so doing, the Department leads the scaling-up of the Bank’s contribution to Africa’s efforts to attain water security and sanitation for sustainable socio-economic transformation.
The AWF’s mission is to be « the main instrument for water in Africa providing assistance and facilitating the mobilization of resources to address the huge investment gap that is needed for the development of water infrastructure. »
The vision of the AWF is ‘Towards water for all by 2025’, which implies ensuring water for all citizens for all uses – drinking, hygiene, sanitation, industry, agriculture, energy, transport, tourism and ecosystems.
2.2 Objectives of the assignment :
The main objective of the assignment is to assist the AWF to develop and implement a highly effective communication program that will increase awareness and understanding of the AWF through strategic activities designed to communicate AWF’s progress, achievements, results and impacts to its main stakeholders, that is, AWF’s partners, donors and the general public.
The assignment is intended to make AWF and AHWS communication effective in view of :
- Resource mobilization with donors and philanthropies ;
- Collaboration with Regional Member Countries (RMCs), development partners, NGOs, CSOs and the private sector ;
- Raising visibility of AWF and AHWS within the Bank and in the international cooperation space ;
- Coordination of water-related communication activities across the Bank’s departments and initiatives; and
- Production and dissemination of knowledge products and best practices that will enhance the impact of AWF interventions by the Bank and other stakeholders.
2.3 Scope of work :
The Consultant’s scope of work will include, but is not limited to, the following :
- Communications Strategy: The Consultant will review the AWF 2010 communication strategy. In addition to the annual communications work plan, the consultant shall also design detailed implementation-oriented communications plans for AWF’s specific initiatives, publications and events and its related power point presentation. These communications plans would spell out the objectives of communications activities and how these will be achieved ;
- The Consultant will be responsible for creating a one/two page brief on AWF that can be incorporated into larger AHVP Complex or Bank-wide communications products. The consultant will create a similar, simplified power point slide (and accompanying briefing notes) for AHVP Complex ;
- The Consultant will also be responsible for developing resource mobilization documents, and accompanying brief notes, and power point presentations, pamphlets, etc.
Significantly, The Consultant will be responsible for generating multimedia content in the form of success stories, press releases, videos, social media posts, speeches, progress reports and other items, some of which are detailed below :
- Web multimedia content maintenance : The Consultant will be responsible for the re-launch and maintenance of the African Water Facility website, writing, generating and editing multimedia content for the AWF website. The Consultant will also assist AHWS with AHWS-related sections of the Bank’s website, in collaboration with Bank Communication and External Relations Department (PCER), to ensure the content of its webpage is consistently up to date and relevant ;
- Publications : The Consultant will write, edit and/or coordinate the production of publications (reports, fact sheets, leaflets, brochures, country briefs, etc.) and will ensure their quality, printing and dissemination. Responsibilities will include writing, editing, content management and proof reading (French & English) or supervising of such duties. Drafting forewords and acknowledgements for reports may occasionally be needed. In collaboration with PCER, the Consultant will manage the various steps of the process leading to their final publication, from design to print ;
- Social Media : The Consultant will be responsible for day-to-day running of the African Water Facility’s social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn ;
- Outreach campaigns: The Consultant will work with the AWF Secretariat to design and implement outreach campaigns targeting specific stakeholders and key audiences. She/he will use the tools available such as digital platforms, social media, print and broadcast media as well as innovative visual campaigns to engage audiences with captivating stories and strategic messages. The Consultant will help build and manage AWF and AHWS stakeholder relations, i.e. the African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW) Secretariat, water and sanitation sector institutions in Regional Member Countries (RMCs), donor representatives, non-governmental organizations in both RMCs and non-RMCs as well as civil society organizations. The Consultant will be responsible for managing public relations at stakeholder events from conception to implementation ;
- Knowledge landscape presence: The Consultant will liaise with the Communications and External Relations Department (PCER) to support the expected growing presence of AWF in its leading role in the Bank’s COVID-19 response and beyond ;
- Newsletter: The Consultant will manage the production of a regular newsletter aimed at keeping the Bank staff and the public at large abreast of the African Water Facility’s latest activities, such as knowledge products, research, studies, partnerships and character-driven success (or beneficiary) stories ;
- Events: The Consultant will help design, manage and roll out thematic events such as seminars, roundtables, and participation to conferences and the Bank Annual Meetings. This also involves branding these events in coordination with PCER and communicating the AWF and AHWS involvement and their outcomes. This may also include the preparation, review and editing of concept notes, meeting documents, articles and reports etc., as needed by AWF and AHWS ;
- Media relations: The Consultant will support the AWF Secretariat in ensuring a prominent presence in the media. The consultant may also be required, in coordination with AHVP Front Office and PCER, to carry out media outreach activities, such as pitching AWF experts, story ideas and articles across traditional, digital and social media platforms, as well as media monitoring ;
- Knowledge management and desktop publication: The Consultant shall lead the editorial, publication and digital management of AWF’s knowledge products and, where needed, contribute to the knowledge products of other Bank Departments. She/he shall work with third-party companies as well as editors and designers to ensure that the production and dissemination of all knowledge material are of international standard. The Consultant will engage with stakeholders and contribute to the reputation of AWF and the Bank. The Consultant will make sure that deliverables conform with PCER guidelines. In addition to the duties outlined above, the consultant will also be required to take on the role of the AFFM’s English/French Editor and edit publications accordingly ;
- Content archiving and management: The Consultant will be responsible for modern and appropriate filing, archiving of AWF-related photos, video and press contacts to databases managed by AHVP as well as PCER.
3 REPORTING LINE :
The consultant will be reporting to the Coordinator of AWF, in coordination with the AHVP Front Office, and works under the guidance of the Bank’s Communication and External Relations Department (PECR).
4 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :
The assignment will be undertaken by an individual Consultant who meets the following criteria :
- A Master’s degree in communication, journalism, international relations, political science, international development or equivalent ;
- Should have at least 6 years of experience in knowledge management and publications, management of social media, web multimedia content maintenance, review/ preparation of strategic plans with emphasis on the on water and sanitation, water resources management ;
- Good understanding of, or willingness to learn about, water and sanitation, water resources management, transboundary water related issues in Africa and the approaches of international organizations ;
- Client and results orientation with strong analytical and communication skills (verbal and written), sense of accuracy and attention to detail ;
- Understanding of the newsgathering and media storytelling process ;
- Experience in updating web content, feeding social media and using Microsoft standard software as well as desktop publishing suites ;
- Experience in selecting, contracting and managing external service providers for the production of communications material ;
- Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues ;
- Ability to work under high pressure and in time sensitive situations ;
- Familiarity with Adobe Edit Suite ;
- Fluency in social media and social media management platforms (Twitter, Periscope, LinkedIn, etc.); fluency or willingness to learn about web content management systems ;
- Sample(s) of past event management campaigns, noting level of involvement and event impact ;
- Sample(s) of past communications materials, including articles, press releases, video scripts, social media posts, etc. ;
- Fluency in English or French, and knowledge of the other ;
- Competent in the use of standard software applications (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel) ;
- Be a national of one of the member countries of the Bank.
5 TIME FRAME AND PLACE OF WORK :
The Consultant will commence the assignment in Mid-November 2020. The assignment is anticipated to last for a period of four (4) months, renewable subject to performance. The assignment takes place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, however, there is room for discussion of a remote working position through the end of 2020. In the future, the position may require occasional missions to RMCs and non-RMCs.
6 REMUNERATION :
The Consultant will receive a monthly all-inclusive fee to be negotiated upon contract signature, and in compliance with the Bank’s established remuneration scale, considering requisite qualifications and experience. No additional benefits or per diems will be paid while in Abidjan. The Bank will cover full costs of any required missions and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultant mission travel. The Consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and accommodation costs.
7 ELIGIBILITY :
The position is open to nationals of one of the Member Countries of the African Development Bank Group. Interested applicants are encouraged to send an updated Curriculum Vita and samples of communications and/or multimedia material such as past event management campaigns, noting level of involvement and event impact; samples of past communications materials, including articles, press releases, videos, social media posts, etc.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will be asked to participate on skills assessment exercise.
