Recruitment of Communication Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES – Individual Consultant Selection (Open; National)

COUNTRY: ZAMBIA

NAME OF PROJECT: GIRLS' EDUCATION AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS FOR HUMAN CAPITAL PROJECT

Credit No: P181391

Assignment Title: Selection of Individual Consultants

Reference No.: ……………………

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has prioritized social protection as a mechanism to address poverty and vulnerability in the country. This prioritization is demonstrated through increased budgetary allocations, particularly to unconditional social assistance delivered through the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program. The support for social assistance was furthered through the promotion of human capital initiatives using a “cash plus” approach primarily through the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) project by providing secondary school girls opportunities to complete their schooling. This was done through the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) component of the GEWEL project.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) of GEWEL 2 is “to promote human capital development and productivity among poor and vulnerable girls and women, while strengthening adaptive social protection delivery systems”.

The human capital development aspect of the PDO will be measured through results in three interrelated areas: (a) the SCT as the foundational national social assistance program as an enabler for human capital development, with complementary activities aimed at (b) enhanced educational attainment at the upper primary and secondary school level by vulnerable adolescent girls and (c) improved nutrition outcomes among poor children and women in selected districts. Productivity will be measured through activities aimed at increasing earnings and economic inclusion of adult women to build climate adaptation and shock resilience, while strengthened adaptive SP systems.

GEWEL 2 is comprised of four components to achieve the PDO, to be implemented over a four-year period from 2025 to 2028. These are: (a) Foundational Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Nutrition; (b) Keeping Girls in School and Beyond (KGS); (c) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL); and (d) Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash ‘Plus’ Delivery (ISSB).

The KGS component will target poor and vulnerable girls from SCT households to access upper primary (4-6) and secondary schools (7-12) in a cash ‘plus’ approach and provide the girls with financial support to school related costs and fees, while also scaling other support services, to increase access to school, improve retention, progression, and transition to tertiary and/or work.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has therefore, received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Project under Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project – Keeping Girls in School (KGS) and Beyond, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services as below:

• COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST (1)

Job Summary

The communication specialist is responsible for developing effective communication strategies to convey messages and engage KGS audiences. He/ she will help to build and maintain a positive image and reputation for the KGS.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a detailed understanding about the GEWEL 2 Project and Keeping Girls in School (KGS) component’s objectives, target beneficiaries and implementation methodology in relation to the Project Implementation Manual (PIM);

• Keep up-to-date with relevant developments in education and social protection sectors in Zambia, ensuring alignment with KGS objectives;

• Develop a strong understanding of the GEWEL 2 Project’s existing Harmonized Communications and Outreach Strategy and its relevance for KGS;

• Develop and implement a robust communications and outreach plan for KGS, making sure it aligns with the overall harmonized GEWEL 2 communications strategy;

• Support strategic communications for KGS through stakeholder's sensitization, visibility and media outreach at national, provincial and district levels;

• Work with counterpart communications leads across GEWEL 2 Project components’ PIUs and Gender Division to train and build capacity of district implementation teams and community-based volunteers on GEWEL project and KGS-specific communications and outreach;

• Write and develop content for press releases, feature stories, blogs, brochures, leaflets, pop-ups and newsletters etc;

• Keep the KGS section of the GEWEL Project website and social media platforms up-to-date with latest content;

• Prepare radio and TV scripts aimed at raising the profile of the KGS component and the GEWEL Project;

• Help plan, run and measure communications and outreach campaigns to ensure they support project goals;

• Collect feedback on communications activities to evaluate results and suggest ways to improve;

• Plan and manage community engagement events, supporting project launches and beneficiary awareness campaigns;

• Arrange and coordinate press conferences, and plan events;

• Work as point of contacts to facilitate the resolution of commuication issues with external partners and stakeholders;

• Work with counterpart communication focal points from the component PIUs to brainstorm content ideas, in line with the project’s communications strategy and in support of various effective communication initiatives;

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and key external role-players;

• Ensure KGS gets positive media coverage through impactful feature stories, opinion columns and press announcements.

Qualification, Experience and Key Attributes:

• A degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences or a related field;

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, preferably in development projects or education;

• Experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and community moblization plans;

• Strong writing, verbal and inter-personal communication skills;

• Works well under pressure and meets tight deadlines;

• Highly literate in latest tools of ICTs, with proven social media campaigns design and management skills with ability to adapt to emerging technologies;

• Hands-on experience of working in communications design is preferred, but not necessary;

• Knowledge and ability to manage printing vendors, videography and documentary production;

• Content writing experience for all media platforms;

• Strategic and creative mindset to develop targeted communications strategies.

REPORTING LINE: The communication specialist will be reporting to the Project Coordinator

Duration and Location

• The assignment is expected to last for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and project needs.

• The consultant will be based at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Lusaka, with occasional travel to Provincial and district Offices.

Performance Evaluation

Annual performance evaluations will be conducted at the end of each year using established key performance indicators (KPIs) based on targets as set out in the AWPB, Project document and Individual work plans. The consultant will be expected to meet the performance standards as agreed. Failure to meet these standards may result in performance improvement plans or other disciplinary action.

Procurement method

The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023.

The Ministry of Education through the GEWEL 2 – KGS and Beyond, now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: Educational qualification, experience (general & specific) and knowledge in project management of World bank projects.

The Consultants will be selected through the ‘Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants’ method in accordance with World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations, Revised September, 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn in particular to:

• Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest, and

• Section III, paragraphs, 3.21-3.24 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Eligibility, including the specific pre-requisite conditions to be met for the eligibility, on exceptional basis, of Government officials and civil servants of the Borrower’s country under consulting contracts in the Borrower’s country.

Individuals who are currently working as consultants on another World Bank-financed project may also compete in this selection process, but if they are selected they will be required before signing the proposed contract to provide documentary evidence of having satisfactorily complied with their existing contract’s requirements with respect to early termination of the contract by the consultant, including advance notice period, to avoid disruption in implementation of that project.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [i.e. 08;00 to 17;00 hours].

Expressions of interest must be delivered in hard copy to the address below by 15:00 hours Zambian Time on 20th November 2024.

The Permanent Secretary – Administration

Ministry of Education

89 Corner of Chimanga & Mogadishu Roads

P.O. Box 50093,

LUSAKA-ZAMBIA