Communication Advisor

BACKGROUND

Formation of SAPP

The Southern African Power Pool was established in August 1995 when member governments of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), signed an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMOU) for the formation of an electricity power pool in the region.

SAPP aims to provide a reliable and economical electricity supply to consumers in each of the SAPP member utilities and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), consistent with the reasonable utilisation of natural resources with minimum impacts on the environment and through a stable interconnected electrical system. This is done through co-ordination and co-operation in the planning and operations of the various power systems to minimise costs while maintaining reliability. SAPP operates a regional competitive market and facilitates power trading for its member utilities in the SADC region. SAPP also provides the operating guidelines for the market to be operated in a fair and transparent manner.

In addition, SAPP is responsible for the planning and realisation of regional priority projects by advancing project preparation through technical, economic and financial studies to a stage of project bankability. This ensures that the regional power supply and demand balance is addressed in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner.

SAPP Governing Documents

SAPP is governed by four base agreements:

The Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMOU), which enabled the establishment of SAPP;

The Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding (IUMOU), which established the SAPP basic management and operating principles;

The Agreement Between Operating Members (ABOM), which established the specific rules of operation and pricing; and

The Operating Guidelines (OG), which provide standards and operating guidelines.

The first document has precedence over the second document; the second document over the third document and the third document over the fourth document.

SAPP Management Structure

Currently, SAPP is an association of twelve member countries represented by their respective national power utilities organized through SADC. The SAPP has four technical sub-committees, namely: the Operating Sub-Committee, the Planning Sub-Committee, Markets and the Environmental Sub-Committee under a Management Committee which in turn reports to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee comprises of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the SADC Power Utilities. The SAPP coordinates the planning and operation of the electric power system among member utilities and provides a forum for regional solutions to electric energy problems.

SAPP is now seeking a senior communication professional to lead the design and implementation of a SAPP Communication Strategy.

OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT

The objectives of this 2-year assignment are to develop, build SAPP management support for, and implement a comprehensive Communication Strategy that will:

• Provide clear objectives and strategic guidance for SAPP’s outreach activities over an 18 to 24-month period

• Achieve coordination and prioritization of the communications plans of SAPP in the power sector and SADC;

• Work to build public and internal consensus around specific policies, plans and projects so that they can be duly implemented;

• Foster an environment conducive for private sector participation in energy infrastructure through providing information and engaging the relevant stakeholders in the sector;

• Help the SAPP articulate its vision for the power sector including the complementarity of roles between the governments and the private sector.

• Ensure the visibility of SAPP and work to convey SAPP as a necessary organization for solving the energy challenges of Southern Africa.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work for this assignment will involve the following main activities and will be monitoring closely according to, but not limited to, the metrics of success that are included below:

• Assess the existing communication structures, products, and practices in SAPP and map the different stakeholders affecting or affected by the operations of SAPP. This work is expected to take 1-2 months and will be described in a Situation Analysis section of the Communication Strategy.

• Conduct research (any combination of opinion surveys, in-depth interviews, and/or focus group discussions) and undertake a communication needs assessment amongst SAPP members and SADC member countries. This work is expected to take 1-2 months and will be described in a Situation Analysis section of the Communication Strategy.

• Use the research phase to improve SAPP understanding of stakeholders’ views, their levels of knowledge and attitudes about the energy sector and environment-related issues, as well as their interests and level of engagement with SAPP. This work will require an ability to analyse the findings of the research phase and use those findings to (1) build SAPP management support for a diligent Communication Strategy and (2) determine which messages and activities will have the highest impact for SAPP’s goals.

• Analyse the communication environment including media, electronic avenues, technology, formal and informal means of interaction. This work is expected to occur throughout the assignment and may include a weekly or bi-weekly media monitoring report in the first several months to sensitise SAPP management to the strategic role communication can play in the organization. This work also includes a Relationship Management focus from the Consultant.

• Draft, present, receive management approval of, and then implement a practical Communication Strategy including Stakeholder Engagement Plan that will address the communication needs of SAPP and effectively engage the key relevant stakeholders at national, regional and international levels. This work is expected to take 3-4 months and will require the ability to demonstrate a clear link between the research phase and the priority activities/messages of the Communication Strategy. SAPP expects the consultant to take responsibility for staying on message and following the Communication Strategy Plan, while remaining dynamic and opportunistic if circumstances require an adaptation to the Plan.

• Develop a timeline and plan for implementing the activities identified and articulated in the Communication Strategy.

• Identify linkages and areas of collaboration with other ongoing and relevant projects and programs of governments, and other national, regional and international development partners. This work will occur throughout the assignment and will require strong Relationship Management skills.

• Identify the challenges and possible hurdles that would likely affect the various key stakeholders as the new Communication Strategy is implemented. This work will be ongoing and will require the ability to understand SAPP’s business challenges and goals.

• Consolidate the required communication material to set out a clear message in support of the Communication Strategy including: briefing notes, website stories, talking points, power point presentations, adverts, banners, flyers, FAQs, etc…. This will require the ability to write quickly and synthesize complex information into accessible formats. SAPP management will expect some of the first written products to be submitted by the Advisor within the first few weeks of this assignment.

• Improve and make use of the Annual Reports, website and other communication products. A plan for “repurposing” some of the pre-approved communication products and publicly available reports will be expected within the first few weeks of this assignment.

• Coordinate translation of communication materials into languages that are used in the SADC region to reach all stakeholders, i.e. English, French and Portuguese.

• Provide capacity building and training that will assist to build institutional capacity of relevant stakeholders, i.e. SAPP CC staff, SAPP member utilities, market participants, SADC Energy Sector institutions, SADC Energy Sector Officials, Regional Energy Regulators Association (RERA), SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), other relevant government departments, regulators, and energy sector proponents, etc… This work will be ongoing and should be tailored to meet the needs of SAPP constituents. This work will also require the ability to identify “champions” of smart communication practices within the SAPP Family.

• Build relationships to improve dialogue for the effective coordination and cooperation among the key stakeholders.

• Promote transparency and build confidence and trust amongst the key stakeholders.

• Raise public awareness and understanding of the mandate, role and value-add of SAPP as a regional organisation.

• Monitor press coverage of energy and environmental issues as well as socio-political and economic issues that can impact the operations of SAPP and its members. This work is not expected to take much of the Advisor’s time, but will help improve the understanding of how SAPP may be perceived by external audiences.

• Support the planning and coordination of SAPP attendance at various regional and international conferences, seminars and consultations. This work will be ongoing throughout the assignment and will require the ability to write very well and quickly. SAPP management also requires an Advisor who can quickly understand the business objectives of SAPP.

• Propose an appropriate and sustainable structure, whether institutional or otherwise, that could champion and implement the communication needs of SAPP going forward.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

The main deliverables of the Communications Advisor include but are not limited to the following:

• Tools and methods for a communication needs assessment

• Communication Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement Plan

• Communication Timeline and Plan

• Communicatio