Terms of Reference

CommunicationStrategy

CBDRM component of BDRP programme

March– 2017

  1. Background

Concern Worldwide is an international, non-governmental, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern’s aim is to help people living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives which last and spread without on-going support from Concern. To achieve this aim Concern engages in long term development work and seeks to address the root causes of extreme poverty. Concern has been working in Pakistan since 2001, when it initiated an emergency response project to address the Afghan refugee crisis in Baluchistan. Concern later moved into emergency, early recovery, and long-term development programming being implemented though local NGO partners in Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Sindhprovinces.

The goal ofBuilding Disaster Resilience in Pakistan (BDRP) programmefunded by DFID is to increase Pakistan’s capability to reduce disaster risk, though better planning, preparedness, response, and resource allocation at the governmental and community levels. The consortium, led by Concern Worldwide in partnership with ACTED, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and International Rescue Committee (IRC) will implement the Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) component of BDRP initially in four districts (Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur- Punjab, Ghotki, and Kashmore- Sindh), during the first phase (two years). The programme would be up scaled in other disaster prone districts of Pakistan over a period of four years in the second phase. The (CBDRM) component of BDRP will assist village communities to mitigate and prepare for disasters.

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Communications Strategy and workable action plan, which guides and will enablebehaviour change and the adoption of the risk mitigation measures by the households and communitiesdirectly impacted by natural disasters through context specific and locally appropriate means. The Consultant will provide suitableapproaches to advocacy, message promotion, and other communications methods to encourage the action of local stakeholders and actors as well as district level institutions to engage in and realise innovative and inclusive resilience approaches which are resistant to recurring disasters, environmental impacts, and climate change. The strategy will ensure that the selection of approaches and tools issensitive to the situation and needs of vulnerable peoplein the target areas and that all relevant documents including the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2013, BDRP Programme document, Concern Pakistan Communication Strategy, DFID’s communication guidelines, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reductionand other relevant documents are considered.

The Consultant will provide a clear set of communications tools and instruments in achieving communications and behaviour change results for the programme in the context of the programme targeted areas of interventions.

  1. Objectives and Specific Tasks to be undertaken by the Consultant(s)

The overall objective of the communication strategy is to inform, connect and empower the disaster prone vulnerable communities to improve their resilience to disasters and impacts of climate change. The specific objectives of the assignment is to provide technical support to the consortium on devising and rolling out of the communication strategy of the programme including the development of resilience/Climate Change related communications products, promotion and advocacy.

The following are the major tasks consultant is expected to undertake.

  1. Analysis of methods, existing information and gapsto deliver behaviour change, engagement, and uptake of proposed resilience approachesby households and communities in targeted areas of Punjab and Sindh Provinces. Analysis ofmethods and products to influence relevant government authorities responsible for resilience building of the target communities in case of any disaster as well as other stakeholders – civil society organisations, donors, academia and relevant private sector entities.
  2. Consultation/interaction with relevant stakeholders including the targeted communities and consortium partners
  3. Develop a detailed implementation mechanism and action plan for integrating communications and behaviour change into overall BDRP programme design with a focus on the Food Security Livelihood, WASH, shelter, climate change, resilience and disaster risk reduction sectors
  4. The tasks maybe adjusted according to the need of the programme and donor.
  1. Deliverables

The consultant(s) will produce following key deliverables (subject to further refinement in consultation with the selected partner)to facilitate behaviour change aimed at individual, household, community and local institutions level by transforming social norms around risk perception and actions that people/institutions take, exploring the following entry points:

  • community mobilization, sensitization and networking;
  • sharing of risk knowledge;
  • dissemination of early warnings;
  • promote learning, best practices andsuccess stories in resilience building;
  • promote and advocate for local resilience priorities;
  1. Review BDRP’s program design, stakeholder (audience) mapping at local level, in depth consultation with stakeholders, review of other relevant documents to determine communication needs of the programme;
  2. Based on the identified needs, develop the communication strategy by proposing /documentinginnovative/inclusive communication tools/ products, methods and media (such as electronic, radio, orientation sessions, IEC materials, theatre, games, and other means) for different target audience taking into consideration the local context and previous learnings;
  3. Develop detailed implementation/actionplan
  1. Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualifications

Concern Worldwide is seeking an experienced consultant with the following expertise:

  • Strong background and experience in strategically and creatively using media / communication (e.g. radio and television programmes, social media, mobile phones and face-to-face dialogue) in development/humanitarian programmes for building knowledge, and bring about shifts in attitudes, norms and behaviour,
  • Experience in engaging and supporting local media and communications practitioners (local radio stations, advertising agencies, web & mobile service providers) to meet the information and communication needs of communities and stakeholders
  • Convincing experience of policy engagement through variety of means including the production of publications, newspaper articles, documentaries, videos, dialogues to disseminate key messages and learning to a variety of stakeholders (communities, government officials, policy makers, opinion leaders) focusing on Resilience, DRR and Climate Change Adaptation
  • Experience of working in Pakistan on a similar assignment preferably with a DFID funded programmeand ability to work in Pakistan and travel to programme areas.
  • Post-graduate degree(s) in Communication Studies/ Development Studies/ Disaster Management
  • Excellent communication and drafting skills in English.
  1. Lines of Communication

The consultant will report to Concern’s Team Leader for CBDRM-BDRP programme and will liaise closely with Concern’s HQ Advisor/s, Deputy Team Leader, and other Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) technical specialists on livelihood, M&E and DRR and. Apart from, the consultant will also consult with the relevant experts of Consortium partners.

  1. Timeframe

The consultant is required to submit the final documents by 17 April 2017 with the following breakdown:

Deliverables / By When
Submission of Inception report/methodology for CommunicationsStrategy and Action Plan / 20th March 2017
Draft CommunicationsStrategy and Action Plan / 7 April 2017
Final Communications Strategy and Action Plan / 17 April 2017

Interested potential consultants/ consultancy firms with relevant experience can submit sealed technical proposals (only) containing following documents to HR Department, Concern Worldwide at Ground Floor, U Fone Tower, Plot# 55-C, Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad by March 09, 2017.

  • Cover letter detailing the consultant’s/ firms’ suitability for the assignment and current contact information
  • A short description of methodology to undertake assignment.
  • Profiles/CVs of key person(s) to be involved at different steps during the assignments.
  • At least one relevant example of previous assignment of similar nature carried out preferably in Pakistan with international NGOs/UN agency (Concern will strictly ensure the confidentiality of the reports.)

Note: Firms shortlisted on the basis of Technical proposals will be asked to submit their financial proposals.