International Strategic Communications Consultant

The UNFPA Philippines Country Office will be implementing its 9th Country Programme (2024-2028) this year as it aims to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Global Agenda on Sustainable Development and to support the Philippine government’s plans for economy and social transformation by advocating for greater focus on human development. 

Communications will play an important role in the new Country Programme, which involves media partnerships and capacity-building, and promoting respect for human rights and positive messages on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender norms. In addition, the Communication Strategy and Communications Workplan will be crucial in defining the important role of communication in advancement of the UNFPA vision aligned in the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

UNFPA Philippines is looking for a strategic communications consultant to assist in crafting a Communication Strategy that will support the CO’s work as it assists the Philippine government in implementing the ICPD Programme of Action and achieving three transformational goals by 2030 - ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and other harmful practices against women and girls including child marriage. 

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The strategic communications consultant will provide the following services and materials:

1. Facilitate a 1-day workshop and online or in-person discussions with Country Office staff  and partners, in addition to understanding the components of the 9th Country Programme, to gather insights and information that will inform the Communication Strategy and Communication Workplan;
2. With inputs from the Country Office, develop a Communication Strategy for UNFPA Philippines that is applicable to the local context and is reflective of the priorities set by the 9th Country Programme;
3. Submit a draft Communication Strategy to UNFPA Philippines for enrichment, revisions and approval;
4. Support the Country Office in crafting a Communication Workplan based on the Communication Strategy;
5. Support the Country Office in crafting key messages for the 9th Country Programme’s key outputs and projects;
6. Attend meetings, brainstorming sessions and other related activities as may be required by the initiative.

By the end of the consultancy, the consultant will have the following outputs:

1. A draft Communications Strategy that will be submitted to the Regional Office for review and support;
2. A draft Communication Workplan, created together with the Media & Communications Analyst of UNFPA Philippines;
3. Draft key messages for key outputs and projects of the 9th Country Programme, created together with the Country Office;
4. A report on the insights and other information gathered throughout the workshop and the whole process to serve as documentation of the initiative;

30 working days within the dates of May-July 2024

1st week (Day 1-5):

• Onboarding and internal alignment with UNFPA Philippines Country Office
• Preliminary research (UNFPA CO 9th Country Programme and Theory of Change, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024-2028, media landscape, key influencers, audience demographics etc.)

2nd week (visit to Manila, Day 6-10):

• Country Office briefing of consultant
• 1-day workshop with Country Office staff (morning) and partners (afternoon) to gather insights and information that will inform the Communication Strategy and Communication Workplan
• Stakeholder interviews (if needed) with strategic partners and development partners
• Further in-depth meetings with communication and programme teams
• Joint crafting and presentation of analysis and strategy outline for CO feedback and validation

3rd week (Day 11-15):

• Drafting of analysis and strategy based on outline and feedback
• Sharing of draft with CO, regional office and key stakeholders

4th week (Day 16-20):

• Finalization of Communications Strategy document and key messages with UNFPA staff

5th week (Day 21-25):

• Drafting of a Communications Workplan based on the Strategy document

6th week (Day 26-30):

• Finalization of remaining documents
• Submission of accomplishment report and other materials for documentation

Accomplishment Report to be submitted at the end of the consultancy: 1) Target Deliverables; 2) Deliverables Achieved; and 3) Additional Inputs if necessary.

The accomplishment report shall be prepared by the consultant, reviewed, verified and approved by one of the supervisors.

Job requirements:

• Must have an advanced university degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, humanities, or a social science-related field;
• Must have at least ten (10) years of work experience in communications, advocacy, public relations, or marketing;
• Must have previous experience crafting communication strategies and workplans;
• Must have demonstrated experience and knowledge of communications, public relations, marketing, and/or journalism;
• Knowledge or expertise in UNFPA mandate areas is a distinct advantage.
• Previous experience working with other United Nations agencies, government agencies, or non-governmental organizations is desirable.

Core Competencies:  

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact 

Functional and Technical Competencies:

• Creating visibility for the organization 
• Delivering results-based programmes 
• Internal and external communication and advocacy

Languages: Fluency in English is required.