Communication Officer

Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP)

Project ID: P173416

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

Issue date: May 26, 2025

Closing date: June 9, 2025

Consultancy Services for Result Based Financing (RBF) Mini grid Specialist

Contract Reference No: LR-RREA-486869-CS-INDV

• Background

The Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) is an autonomous agency of the Government of Liberia, established in 2010 and legislated in 2015. Its mandate is to facilitate and accelerate the economic transformation of rural Liberia by promoting the development and supply of modern energy products and services, with a focus on locally available renewable resources.

Liberia's National Electrification Strategy (NES) aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, with a target of 75% access by 2030. The strategy outlines a combination of grid expansion, mini-grids, and stand-alone solar systems to achieve these goals.

Under the World Bank-financed LESSAP II, RREA is implementing initiatives to electrify public health and education facilities, deploy solar home systems for households and off-grid productive uses, and pilot private sector-led mini-grids. These efforts are aligned with Liberia's medium-term development plan and contribute to the government's target of reaching universal access to electricity by 2030.

With the financing from the World Bank, toward the cost of Liberia Electricity Sector and Strengthening Access Project (LESSAP), RREA intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for Project Coordinator.

• Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to engage a Communication Officer who will develop and implement strategic communication initiatives to enhance the visibility, outreach, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement of the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) and the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Projects (LESSAP 1 and 2), both implemented by the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA).

The Communication Officer will be responsible for designing and executing innovative communication strategies that effectively convey the objectives, achievements, and benefits of these projects to government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, local communities, and the general public. The role will support internal and external communication efforts across key RREA units, including Programs, Administration and Finance, Procurement, and the Office of the Executive Director, ensuring that project information is accurate, timely, and aligned with RREA’s institutional goals.

• Scope of the Assignment

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Communication Officer will:

• Design and implement innovative communication strategies to promote LIRENAP and LESSAP, ensuring that project benefits and objectives are effectively conveyed to stakeholders.

• Develop and manage traditional and digital media content, including press releases, newsletters, website updates, social media campaigns, and public service announcements.

• Create and maintain a comprehensive communication plan, aligning with RREA’s broader institutional goals.

• Ensure gender-responsive communication by developing messages and materials that promote inclusive participation, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized communities.

• Facilitate community engagement programs to enhance public understanding and participation in project activities.

• Organize stakeholder forums, press briefings, and public consultations to provide updates on project progress and address public concerns.

• Develop and disseminate informational materials such as brochures, fact sheets, and reports to keep stakeholders informed.

• Collaborate with government agencies, donor organizations, and civil society groups to develop advocacy materials supporting renewable energy policies, regulatory frameworks, and investment incentives.

• Support internal communication across Programs, Administration and Finance, Procurement, and the Office of the Executive Director, ensuring that key project updates are effectively shared.

• Develop internal reporting frameworks to enhance information flow between RREA’s technical, financial, and executive teams.

• Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies

• A bachelor’s degree in mass communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, International Relations, Development Communication, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in communication, public relations, stakeholder engagement, or corporate communications, preferably in the energy, infrastructure, or development sector.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic communication plans for large-scale projects, preferably those funded by international development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, or USAID.

• Strong background in media relations, public outreach, and digital communication, including the use of social media platforms, websites, and multimedia content creation.

• Demonstrated ability to develop advocacy materials for policy engagement and public awareness campaigns.

• Prior experience in crisis communication and reputation management, including responding to public concerns and misinformation.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to draft press releases, reports, newsletters, and communication materials tailored to diverse audiences.

• Proficiency in graphic design, content management systems (CMS), and social media analytics tools is an added advantage.

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, including government agencies, donors, private sector actors, and local communities.

• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards in infrastructure projects is desirable.

• Location and Reporting Line

The LESSAP and LIRENAP Communication Officer will be based at the office of RREA in Monrovia, Liberia, but is expected to travel periodically to the project sites and other locations in rural Liberia. The Consultant will report to the Executive Director of the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) or his or her designate.

• Duration

This is a time-based contract for a period of two years with the possibility of extension based on performance.

The attention of interested individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 and revised in February 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://projectsbeta.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/brief/

Interested individual will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained electronically at the following email addresses and Website, from Mondays to Fridays, from 0900 to 1600 hours GMT:

Email: [email protected] Website: www.rrealiberia.org

Expression of Interest; clearly marked Consultant for Communication Officer, must be delivered through an email to the address below on or before 4:00 p.m. Local Time, on June 9, 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Attn: Executive Director

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency

LEC Sub-station, Newport Street

1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia

Email: [email protected]

Electronic submission should also be copied to the following addresses:

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected]