International Consultancy: Knowledge Management and Communications Consultant, Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP)
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration of contract and timelines: Over a period of 10 months, maximum
Deadline for applications: 21 February 2023, 17h00 NY time
Purpose: The International consultant will be responsible for implementing the SIARP Communications Strategy in consultation with all partners. She / He will facilitate the development of associated tools and systems for the Regional Programme. The Communications consultant will join the SIARP Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) team, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia led by UNFPA.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The EU - UN Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) is guided by the 2030 Agenda, the AU Agenda 2063, the AU Gender Strategy, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), and other Africa regional instruments. SIARP has a continental scope and works towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including harmful practices.
The SIARP is a tripartite agreement between the EU, the UN, and the AUC with a continental scope that enhances a regional approach to end Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), Sexual Gender-Based Violence, and Harmful Practices, as well as strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRHR). It made the strategic decision to bring onboard from inception in recognition of and to capitalize on its political convening power.
The SIARP works through two streams of work, (Stream I and Stream II), both of which contribute towards the same outcome areas: Outcome 1: Legislation and Policies; Outcome 5: Quality and Reliable Data and Outcome 6: Supporting the Women’s Movement. Stream II is built on the programmatic and operational framework including governance structures of the ongoing UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) and UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (JPFGM) and, as such, both Streams I & II is fully aligned to the UN Reform efforts that encourage delivering as one and a significant increase in joint programming on gender equality
Scope of Work
The individual consultant will be required to undertake the following tasks:
a) Coordinate the implementation of the EVAWG/HP strategy for the Spotlight Initiative (SI)
b) Provide technical support in the development of high-quality knowledge products for the regional SI, as well as capturing country achievements
c) Ensure that knowledge generated from the regional and country SI are thoroughly documented, stored, disseminated, used for institutional learning, and shared with partners
d) Develop and convene high-quality capacity development workshops for the regional Spotlight Initiative (SI) partners on EVAWG/HP and knowledge management
e) Establish Communities of Practice and mobilize technical officers of national and regional Programmes to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices
f) Provide technical support to key intra-regional South-South/Triangular Cooperation opportunities in close collaboration with the SI core implementing agencies and partners
g) Coordinate the design and planning of communication for development and social and behavioral change communication strategies and messages
h) Support implementation of SI Communication and Visibility strategies and plans
i) Coordinate the collection of good practices and lessons learned for scale up and replication of the regional SI activities
Coordinate the collection of good practices and lessons learned for scale up and replication of the regional SI activities
Methodology/ Approach
The individual consultant will provide high-quality services to the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme Coordination Unit (PCU). This will be in close collaboration with both the Stream I and II leadership. He/ She will also closely Liaise with the Spotlight Africa Union team including Implementing Partners in shaping and communicating SIARP results. This will include amplifying good practices towards achieving gender equality and promoting the uptake of SRHR information and services.
Directly reporting to the SIARP Programme Coordinator, the consultant will also play a central role on Communication during the convening of Stream (I&II) Coordination meetings and the Steering Committees.
Duration and working schedule:
The consultancy shall cover a maximum period of 10 months
Place where services are to be delivered:
The Consultancy will be based at the SIARP Programme Coordination Unit in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The work will be delivered both electronically and hardcopy. Delivery dates will be agreed upon based on the approved consultant workplan upon the starting date.
The Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
Regular meetings will be organized with the SIARP Programme Coordinator to provide an update on progress, address inquiries, and provide further information as needed
Supervisory arrangements
The consultant will report to the SIARP Regional Programme Coordinator
Expected Travel:
Travel arrangements will be based on an approved workplan that will detail the consultancy deliverables and timelines
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements
The consultant is expected to bring the following expertise, qualifications, and competencies:
Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field.
A minimum of 7 years of experience with a master’s degree or 9 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree in the above mentioned fields.
Experience of working with the AU, working at a regional level and working on UN joint Programmes preferred.
Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports.
Experience in capacity building on Communications.
Experience in Internal and external communication and advocacy for results and advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Ability to package information for effective communication and visibility
Experienced in building strategic alliances and partnerships that enhance the Programme Visibility.
Fluency in English is required.
Experience in working with other UN agencies with similar assignments, specifically in developing strategies.
Consultant should provide examples of past experience for similar assignments
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable
SIARP will provide all the required support services aimed at facilitating the delivery of the assignment. This will include:
Office Space and equipment of which will include a laptop, desk and other office related items.
The consultant will be availed all the necessary SIARP Programmatic documents since the inception of the programme of which will include; SIARP Programme Document; The SIARP Mid Term Assessment Report; The SIARP 2020 and 2021 Annual reports and the Communication and Knowledge Management Strategy.
Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:
The assignment shall commence on the day of contract signature and end as outlined in the contract.
The consultant is expected to complete the assignment within the set deadlines as will be agreed upon in the approved workplan and as reflected in the terms of reference.
i) The deadline for applications is Monday 21 February 2023, 5pm New York time.
ii) Interested applicants should send a short letter of motivation and a detailed CV with the subject clearly stated "Application for the SIARP Communications Consultancy" to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org.
iii) UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom we have further interest.
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fee, or request information on applicants’ bank accounts or HIV status.
