Background

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Services (UN JPLG) for Somalia is a joint programme implemented by UN ILO, UNCDF, UNICEF, UN-HABITAT and UNDP. The first phase of the Programme commenced in 2008 and was completed at the end of 2012. The Programme’s second phase (JPLG II) covers the five year period 2013 – 2017. The JPLG works with the Somali Federal Government, Somaliland, Puntland, Regional Authorities, District Councils, Legislatures, Municipal Associations, International and Local NGOs/CSOs, and the private sector.   The Programme is aligned to the New Deal Compact for Somalia, which includes the Special Arrangement for Somaliland.

The UN JPLG is currently in its 2nd phase, which intends to build on the successes achieved during the previous five years, and to maintain the same focus of strengthening local governance and local government as a means of enhancing the delivery of services to citizens, thus restoring the confidence and credibility of the state.

Building public awareness will be vital to helping to ensure that civil society and local administrations understand their roles and responsibilities for the parts they play in the decentralization process. This awareness will help infuse the decentralization process with social and political capital that is necessary for this process to be fully achieved. Clear messaging through various forms will need to be communicated to the general public, which informs them of their administration’s vision for decentralization, while outlining its intentions and decentralization roadmap.

Through mostly verbal mediums of communication, all messaging in the campaign should align with the vision statement for decentralization in Somaliland, respectively.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP – JPLG Project Manager and in close coordination with other JPLG staff, the Local Consultant will be responsible for developing and managing a public awareness campaign in Somaliland and Puntland on the decentralization process. The Local Consultant will promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Local   Consultant will work in close collaboration with the operations team, programme and JPLG project staff in sub-offices, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, and civil society ensuring an effective campaign.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the assignment is to develop and manage a public awareness campaign in Somaliland and Puntland on the decentralization process. Upon completion of the Consultant’s contract, this campaign should be transitioned over to the UNDP-JPLG teams in Hargeisa and Garowe to manage and continue campaign implementation for the year.

• Develop four key messages on decentralization, which the public awareness campaign will be based on. These messages will provide the thematic focus for various forms of communications throughout the campaign;
• Create strategic communications materials for radio, print, tv and social media, which is applicable to the messaging and context (demographic targets, political sensitivity etc);
• Create effective awareness building strategies, while contributing to the elaboration of these strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means. These opportunities should be used to bring forward and disseminate materials for the campaign;
• Make the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches to generating awareness, while identifying new approaches and strategies that promote the use of various communications tools and mechanisms;
• Develops monitoring and evaluation tools that incorporate feedback loops to improve the effectiveness of the public awareness campaign in terms of coverage and audience reception;
• Develops campaign activities based on monitoring/evaluation information and identifying areas requiring higher visibility and implementing strategies in response accordingly;
• Develop civic spaces to promote awareness and facilitate dialogue on decentralization;
• Manage and coordinate a team of rapporteurs/district consultants to help organize public forums on decentralization, as well as record and disseminate information from these events.

The individual contractor is accountable to UNDP-JPLG and will work under supervision of the UNDP – JPLG Project Manager in close coordination with the JPLG team. Discussion of issues and challenges shall be done in a transparent manner, under the guidance of UNDP. A work plan for the consultancy will be developed and agreed to no later than three days after the start of the assignment. Evaluation of the contract will be made against the benchmarks and deliverables set for the assignment of the consultant at the end of the contract duration.

The performance of the contractor will be reviewed on bi-weekly basis to approve outputs prior to authorization of payments.

Competencies

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multidisciplinary environment;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; and
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in communications development, media relations, journalism, political science, development studies or related field;
• A Bachelor’s degree in development with related job experience will also be considered.

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
• Context-specific experience in the local dynamics, the inner government workings and in working with stakeholders is required;
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of printed materials;
• Experience in developing video and photographic materials and in commissioning films is an advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing communication and/or media outreach plans in support of overall corporate goals is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in developing content that clearly communicates development ideas for media, web, print production, and audio-visual productions;
• Experience in overseeing translation work is an asset.

• The consultant will be required to have a personal lap top computer.