Federal Government of Somalia
Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education
Somalia Education for Human Capital Development Project
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)
COUNTRY: Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS)
NAME OF PROJECT: Somalia Education for Human Capital Development Project
PROJECT ID: P172434 Grant No.: IDA-D8370
Assignment Title: Communication Specialist
Reference No.: SO-MOECHE-361816-CS-INDV
Place of assignment: Mogadishu Somalia
Submission deadline: 28th June 2023
A. BACKGROUND
The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS) through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education has applied for financing from the World Bank towards the cost of Somalia Education for Human Capital Development Project. The project is designed to provide interventions to improve system effectiveness, instructional quality, and learning outcomes across all Federal Member States.
The Project consists of the following four key components: (1) System Building – This component will focus on strengthening systems at the FGS and the FMS levels to implement Somalia Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP); (2) Expansion of access to quality schooling for the disadvantaged – This component will help Somalia roll out practical and economical ways to begin to redress the < 20% enrollment rate challenge faced by most districts in Somalia, among the world indicators; (3) Enhanced instruction quality – This component will develop a 2-year Teacher Professional Development Program (TPDP) that will be delivered using a blended learning approach and support 6,000 teachers to complete the program. Activities will include the design, development, testing, refinement and large-scale implementation of the TPDP; and (4) Project Management – Current capacity at all administrative levels, FGS, FMS levels, regional and district levels is weak. The project will finance key project staff at the FGS and FMS levels and consulting services to support the FGS to oversee school construction design, engineering, and supervision and capacity building to support FGS contract management.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) intends to hire a consultant (communication specialist) to work closely with the various implementing entities and project unit for overall project outreach & communication.
• Scope of Work and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Project Manager, communication specialist is responsible for developing a comprehensive project communication strategy and plan, providing regular and timely analysis and distribution of project information to all key stakeholder groups and project beneficiaries, and on an as needed basis, producing communication materials.
Under the leadership of the Project Manager, the duties of the Communication Specialist will include:
• Develop an outreach strategy on the overall project activities and engage project beneficiaries to feedback their concerns.
• Issue monthly report and bulletin on project activities, success and milestones to the wider community; and accordingly review, amend and make necessary alterations to the Communication Action Plan and Communication Strategy for the SEHCD project.
• Design and implement communication strategy that will govern SEHCD project stakeholders and beneficiaries whilst informing project activities and the benefits it will bring.
• Manage and update the project’s website, and social media platforms as well as other possible networking platforms. This will include the organisation, preparation, and facilitation of the production of video graphic materials for the project outreach purposes and tell project success stories.
• Manage press and other media enquiries, whilst editing and producing public relation materials for public consumption; coordinate any other assignments related to project knowledge management, marketing, communications, branding and outreach. This should also be inclusive of, but not be restricted to, social media, press kits, factsheets, brochures and graphics, special events, speeches, articles, interviews, magazines, newsletters and presentations.
• Be responsible for day-to-day management and coordination activities related to the management of the visibility of the SEHCD project.
• The consultant will also assist with all communication tasks related to the activities of the Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills “Rajo Kaaba” Project.
• Any other related duty as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
• Selection Criteria:
Selection will be based on qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The minimum qualification, experience and skills should include:
• A minimum bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, public relations, social sciences, international relations, or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in strategic communication management in the relevant field, including communication, media, etc.
• Experience in working with the government, INGOs experience in a world bank funded project is an added advantage.
• Proven knowledge of visual communications principles and fluency with design software
• Understands project management concepts sufficiently to propose and develop drafts of online communication plans and strategies with minimal supervision.
• Can apply standards project management tools, methodologies, and processes.
• Experience of working in a similar environment like that of Somalia.
• Experience and sound knowledge in strategic communications and running campaigns.
• Able to deliver training programmes and workshops to the relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Experience in writing strategies and producing sound evidence-based reports.
• Experience using graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative suite would be preferable.
• Outstanding communication skills ability to communicate to various stakeholders.
• Excellent writing and proofing skills.
• Have the ability to communicate succinctly and clearly, ensuring that communication achieves its intended objective.
• Possess analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work with multiple stakeholders; network, facilitate and foster good client relations to build successful and sustain effective working relationships.
• Experience in advocacy and negotiation, especially with government counterparts.
• Fluent in English and Somali.
• Duration & Duty Station: Twelve (12) months with possibility for extension based on performance and requirement. The duty station is Mogadishu Somalia with travels to the Federal Member States.
• The Ministry of Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) can be found at the following website: www.moe.gov.so or it can be forwarded to the applicant upon submission of application to the address indicated below.
• The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14 and 3.21 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016 and revised in November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020, and current edition (“Procurement Regulations”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility.
• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants selection method set out in the “Procurement Regulations”.
How to apply
Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address given below from 8:30 to 3.30pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).
The Expressions of interest (EOI), CV with 3 reference persons and certificates of academic qualifications must be delivered (in person or by clicking the following link: https://jobapplication.moe.gov.so/) to the address below by 28th June, 2023 at 12:00 Hours (Mogadishu Time) – marked clearly as “Communication Specialist – Education for Human Capital Development Project”.
Human Capital Development Project Unit (HCDPU)
Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education
Zoope Area, Mogadishu
Federal Republic of Somalia
