International Consultant: Communications Adviser, Lilongwe, Malawi

Duration: Maximum 80 days, between June 2019 to April 2020

Type of Consultant: Individual Consultant on a retainer basis (International)

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA Malawi plans to scale up its high-level advocacy and communications during the forthcoming period. In line with the SDGs and major development targets set out in Malawi’s national development plan the country programme of UNFPA has ambitious targets to improve the lives of women and girls through advancing issues at district level around sexual and reproductive health and rights, health services and targeting violence against women and girls. At national level UNFPA has supported a successful population and housing census that has acted as a platform for a wider participation in evidence-based decision making. 

To support our approaches at programming level UNFPA seeks to expand its external communications strategy both at partner and national media levels. This expansion of communications activities will build on UNFPA’s core principles and work to broaden insight and knowledge of the work of UNFPA from the highest level in Government down to grass roots communities. Whilst UNFPA will continue to use local and national platforms to work with government to highlight the need to continue to prioritise investment in women and girls and their sexual health and rights it seeks to significantly scale up these efforts to pursue the targets set out in the new country programme. It is a crucial time for UNFPA Malawi to promote UNFPA’s development priorities with the government formed following the results of elections in May 2019, an ambitious national development plan, and changing conditions will require extensive engagement with stakeholders to ensure women and girls and their sexual health and rights remain a priority target. New partners have also joined UNFPA programmes supporting key elements of UNFPA programming and this will require increased levels of quality, results based, and high-level corporate reporting on progress.  

Scope of work:

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with the communications officer, the consultant will support the implementation of an external communication strategy to highlight the mandate and work of UNFPA in Malawi. This will include three main areas:

• Support high level corporate reporting of programming outputs and outcomes performance to partners and provide advice on strengthening the framework for reporting in the future.
• Support the delivery of key communication products highlighting priority policy issues for the UNFPA country office ensuring clear and consistent messaging.
• Support the drafting and development of UNFPA Malawi corporate products to highlight achievements and increase awareness of the work of UNFPA in Malawi.
• Providing technical advice to the key implementing partners as well as the Country Office on communication for the policy advocacy. 

Duration and working schedule:

The retainer contract will run from June 2019 - 1 April 2020 and will consist of a maximum of 10 days per month as requested by the UNFPA country office. The maximum number of days foreseen are 80 days over the course of this period. Approximate allocation of working days:

Support high-level corporate reporting of programming outputs: 

36 working days

Support the delivery of key communication products highlighting priority policy issues: 

20 working days 

Support the drafting and development of UNFPA Malawi corporate products to highlight achievements: 

24 working days including graphic design for CPD

Place where services are to be delivered:

UNFPA Malawi Country Office and remotely.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

The following deliverables may be requested over the course of the retainer contract:

Support high level corporate reporting of programming outputs:

• Draft results-based reports for the programmes highlighting key results against targets by March 2020 for the following projects: - 1) Joint Programme on Girls Education 2) 2gether4SRHR; and 3) Population and housing census support.
• Draft final report outlining the UNFPA humanitarian response with Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF) funding.
• Draft country office results annual report providing a snapshot of programming and country office reporting.
• Provide advice to the country office on reporting and results based management.
• Supporting development of communication strategy of key implementing partners.

Support the delivery of key communication products highlighting priority policy issues:

• Assist in the implementation of an external communication strategy to highlight the mandate and work of UNFPA in Malawi.
• Support the production of statements and other forms of external communications outlining the achievements of UNFPA.
• Assist drafting speeches and a comprehensive strategy for messaging.
• Produce content for UNFPA Malawi website.

Support the drafting and development of UNFPA Malawi corporate products to highlight achievements:

• Assist in the drafting and design of local corporate material in line with UNFPA global communications products including a comprehensive briefing book.
• Oversee and organise graphic design phases of selected publications
• Produce 6 programme briefs (SRHR, Gender, Population and Development, Adolescent and Youth, Joint Programme on Girls Education, JPGE and 2gether4SRHR).
• Produce analysis on issues related to the work of UNFPA.

Monitoring and progress control:

Progress will be monitored as per the schedule of each deliverable outlined above including:

• Regular calls with the Representative, Deputy Representative and the Communications Officer.
• An inception teleconference will be conducted to discuss how the consultant understands the scope of work and the deliverables.

Supervisory arrangements: 

Under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, The Deputy Representative will provide the supervisory role with immediate follow-ups being made by the communications officer.

Expected travel:

The consultant may be required to travel to Malawi as required by the country office to perform functions related to the deliverables. Travel and DSA will be provided. The majority of activities are envisaged to be delivered from a home base of the consultant.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies:

Qualifications:

• Minimum Master's degree in communications, journalism or related field is required while a PhD could be an asset;
• A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, policies and operations;
• Expert understanding of approaches required for planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies;

Experience:

• 15 years of professional experience in international development and communications.
• Strong track record in reporting on development, and development of, programming including corporate and donor requirements for results-based reporting.
• Experience of working in Malawi and the Southern Africa region.

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner:

UNFPA will provide:

• Required documentation.
• Support services where required including visa fees and DSA, travel.
• Logistical arrangements for interviews.

Other relevant information or special conditions:

1. An individual contract will be signed with the consultant for the duration of 1 June 2019 to 1 April 2020.
2. Actual field work will be during the contract period based on the discussion with country office management.
3. Individual consultancy contract will be signed between the consultant and UNFPA Malawi country office.

Payment will be made every 3 months based on a progress report submitted by the consultant. 

How to apply:

Candidates who have the required/relevant qualifications should submit their applications including a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), motivational letter and P11 with a copy of diplomas to the following address: malawi.office@unfpa.org

Please specify in the subject and mention ‘Consultant-Communication Advisor’’. The application deadline is 18th June 2019.