Communication Consultant ToR

Title: Communication Specialist

Duration: 6 months

Location: Geneva based/Home-based

  1. Background:

The global Child Protection Area of Responsibility (AoR) is the global level forum for coordination of child protection activities in humanitarian settings as part of the broader Global Protection Cluster (GPC). The group brings together NGOs, UN agencies, academics and other partners under the shared objective of ensuring more predictable, accountable and effective child protection responses in emergencies. The AoR works closely with the global Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (the Alliance) to improve the child protection in emergencies (CPiE) sector by producing key inter-agency tools, building capacity and developing shared advocacy and policy.

In the CP AoR work plan, one of the major areas of work outlined is strengthening coordination of child protection at field level. Along with maintaining, developing and using the existing CP AoR Rapid Response Team, this part of the work plan includes activities related to ensuring child protection coordinators in the field have access to training and technical assistance on coordination as well as access to knowledge and inter-agency resources on child protection in emergencies.

Already in early 2013, the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) team identified that additional support was required in pursuit of the objectives of field support. Factors such as an increased demand for technical support to field based coordinators, an overall deployment rate of higher than 50% for CPWG RRT members, and the allocation of some non-deployment time to SBP agency tasks limited the extent to which RRT members alone could ensure that the planned activities would be undertaken. To address this, a part time Consultant joined the CPWG team in 2014 and 2015 to augment the team’s capacity from March to November, enhancing its ability to carry out the planned activities and ensure consistency in the available support for field level coordinators.

The results of the 2014 CPWG Annual Surveys of field level coordination groups indicate consistently high levels of appreciation for the outreach and the support that was available from the global level CPWG team over the two years.

In 2015 and 2016, the global level CPWG team has continued to support field based coordination by establishing a Help Desk from October 2015 to August 2016 to ensure that adequate, consistent support is available to field level child protection coordination, complementing the in-country deployments of the RRT. This Help Desk function, which includes knowledge management functions, support to trainings on coordination, as well as remote support to field level coordination groups as required, was part of the global CPWG team until at least mid-2016 and will be part of the CP AoR and the Alliance structure from September 2016 to March 2017.

As of June 2016, the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) has started changing its structure to become the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) and the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian action (the Alliance). The communication officer would support the rebranding of the CP AoR and support the development and the implementation of a communication strategy refocusing on field driven approach.

  1. Purpose of the Position

The overall goal of this consultancy is to develop and implement a Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP-AOR)communication strategy in line with the CP-AoR 2017 work plan; and to overseethe information flow and visibility of the CP AoR at global and field level, including providing technical support and advice on communication resources.

More specifically, the incumbent will promote the CP AoR, supportcontent development in digital and print media, and advice the CP AoR Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator on opportunities to strengthen CP AoR’s visibility.

  1. Main Responsibilities

The scope of the activities listed below may vary, depending on the length of the assignment and phase of the crisis.

Enabling more strategic communication

  • In consultation with CP AoR Coordinators and the Help desk, develop a communications strategy for the CP AoR, and support its implementation.
  • Produce a yearly CPAoRBulletinin consultation with CPAoRcoordinators/regional focal points to illustrate country success stories, field challenges and innovation in the field of CP response.
  • Establish close working relationships with the GCCU IM Unit, Global Protection Cluster and GBVAoR Communications staff to identify communication synergies.
  • Actively support global and field level communication and official messaging on new developments in the Child Protection field, and what this will mean at country levels.
  • Attend Advocacy Task Team meetings, and actively contribute to the work of the Task Team and support the implementation of the Advocacy Strategy
  • Design, structure and lead implementation of a comprehensive and customized digital communication strategy for all relevant stakeholders in accordance with their profiles;
  • Develop related action plan including information on objectives, audiences, messages, resources, timescales, tools, activities and monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
  • Devise ways to enhance visibility of the CP AoRamongst various kinds of public stakeholders in accordance with its positioning;
  • Draft fact sheets and other rapid response advocacy materials for use by CPAoR.

Manage CP AoR website and electronic media

  • Engage with web designer and the GCCU IM Unit on website structure and potential improvements to enable a more effective use of the website to the benefit of AoR members.
  • Regularly update the new website with tools, training events, field reports, the latest information from the task teams and RRT missions.
  • Identify opportunities and resources to be shared on the website, linkages to Call to Action and other global processes.
  • Recommend, implement and maintain website and social media design, content and operation;
  • Revise branding guidelines; andcopyedit, proofread, and revise communication products.
  • Provide CPAoR’s social media platforms with relevant updates and work closely with the AoR coordinator and deputy coordinator to integrate CPAoRnational members’ and Government counterparts/co-leaders on social media outreach.
  • Assist in CPAoR advocacy activities, including providing support to public events, coordinating visits, including field visits and participating in other related advocacy initiatives.

Provide Public Information Support

  • Assist the CPAoR Coordination Team in preparing written materials, including talking points, articles, press releases etc.
  • Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with local, regional and global media and other relevant partners and identify opportunities for advocacy and communication partnerships.

Capacity Development

  • Coach and build communications capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to emergency/humanitarian crisis, as needed.

Any Other Duties

  • Perform any other duties as required by the AoR Global Coordinator.
  1. Qualifications and Professional Experience
  • Advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, advertising or related field.
  • Degree, Training or equivalent work experience in Digital Media, Computer Science, Communication or related field, will be an advantage.
  • 5-7 years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism or advertising; preferably some experience with public relations or information campaigns.
  • Experience in interactive design and innovation, including platform interoperability and mobile device accessibility, will be added advantage.
  • Demonstrated ability to envision web-based services that meet consumer needs or solve business problems.
  • High-level knowledge of, and proven experience, in internet and digital media, web standards, localization and accessibility.
  • Familiarity with information security vulnerabilities and risk management, and consumer privacy.
  • Experience in or familiarity with a humanitarian setting a major asset, as is understanding of the cluster system and GBV prevention and response.
  • Fluency in English. French, Arabic or any other UN language is desirable.
  1. Start date:01 February2017 End date: 31 July2017
  1. Cost and Timeframe:

The consultant will be paid at an agreed monthly rate for 6 months (average of 20 days/month).

  1. Instructions for applicants:

Please send your application by January the 15th, including a full CV and P11 form which can be downloaded here to Emmanuelle Haug copying Bilal Sougou, at , by August, 15 2016. Please indicate your proposed daily rate.