TOR – FOR COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Short-term Consultant) -Re-advert

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Short-term Consultant) 

Background

For over  60 years, Children Believe has worked globally to support children and youth who dream of a better world. It has brought together diverse people and partnerships, driven by a common belief: education extends beyond the walls of a classroom and is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world. It has focused on breaking barriers that prevent access to inclusive and quality education for girls and boys.

Children Believe Ethiopia country office is currently in the first year of implementing its Strategic Plan (FY2025-2031) focsuing on four pathways aligned within five program priorities; dismantling the barriers to girls education, improvign child and maternal health in thriving communities;  advancing child rights & protection, promoting gender transformation and bolstering partnership with children and youth.

The Championing Nutrition and Gender Equality (CHANGE) project funded by Global Affairs Canada is Children Believe Canada’s flagship grant. The project will engage with local, national and global partners to improve women’s leadership and control over vital resources while helping to strengthen their access to proper health services and nutrition. CHANGE will focus on reaching the poorest and most marginalized, especially women, adolescent girls and their children. Through this work, we will help bring positive impact for 385,000 people in Ethiopia and Ghana.

 

Rationale 

Effective communication is key to accountability, visibility and prepositioning of Children Believe as an organization. The growing portfolio of Ethiopia program through grants requires bridging the communication technical capacity gap thus necessitating an interim measure to facilitate work. The engagement of the Communication and Knowledge Specialist is a stopgap measure to ensure continuity of communication function at the Ethiopia country office particularly on the CHANGE project. The focus of this role is to strengthen project implementation, manage local partnerships, gather story resources, support field visit logistics, engage GAC High Commission in Ethiopia and strengthen national positioning with community leaders and government partners.

 

Purpose 

This Terms of Reference details the roles, responsibilities, expected key deliverables and timelines for the Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist.

 

Specific Roles and responsibilities 

The responsibilities for the Communication and Knowledge Specialist will include, but not limited to, the following:

Strategic Communications

• Develop, implement, and maintain local internal and external communications plans and profile building based on corporate strategy, including issues management, media and public relations, and other communication and other knowledge management products.
• Determine strategic communications campaigns that will help further organizational and CHANGE project goals.
• Support the communications and visibility for the CHANGE Project in Ghana
• Develop the communication strategy for the country office and finalize the CHANGE project’s communication strategy ensuring it is aligned to CB’s organizational influencing and advocacy efforts.
• Develop a network for effective media relations with key stakeholders at local and regional levels.
• Develop and improve online communication presence and story placements using the web and social networks as appropriate.

 

Knowledge Management 

• Generate, collate, coordinate, maintain and disseminate content and visuals (stories, program photography, videos, quotes, and other information from the field) to help build and nurture relationships with donors and the public at various levels.
• Proactively share stories and high-quality knowledge management products.
• Research, write, edit, and oversee the production and distribution of publications such as story lines for publications, media, policies, supporter correspondence, newsletters, annual report, brochures, policy planning reports, etc.
• Work in partnership with Country Programs Manager and the CHANGE Project Manager to develop collaterals and content for social media platforms and provide input for global platforms as required.
• Manage the preparation and distribution of information, communications and visibility materials to special interest groups, governments, public, donor agencies, and foundations in coordination with the Canada Office.
• Provide oversight and support to local partner staff on capturing and sharing stories, photos and videos about CHANGE Project beneficiaries including marginalized, vulnerable women, adolescent girls and children under five.

 

Brand, Visibility/Representation

• In collaboration with Country Director and the Chief of Party, manage representation and influence at strategic networks and coalitions, making CB and the CHANGE Project visible on programmatic interventions and advocacy issues as assigned.
• As brand ambassador, responsible for overall communications, including collateral print materials, digital publications and managing media relations to build the brand and the visibility of the CHANGE Project
• In collaboration with organization partners, serve as liaison between the organization and the media (press, radio and TV) and in security and crisis situations proactively prepare press statements and ensure appropriate placement.
• Remain alert to potential reputation risks in the country and mitigate any such risks in consultation with the Country Director, the Chief of Party and Director, Strategic Communications.
• Manage activities, communications, special events, workshops, meetings and conferences planned under the communication department.
• Ensure that all content deliverables comply with branding guidelines, safeguarding standards and other policies of CB and GAC.

 

Resource Mobilization

• Support in generating compelling marketing collateral to support the country project team.

Internal Communications

• Promote and coordinate effective internal communications on CHANGE project and other organizational programs and projects.

 

Safeguarding & Others

• Comply with all CB and GAC policies and procedures.
• Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding (Child Safeguarding & Prevention of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse) risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills, to understand the safeguarding policies and procedures, promote strong safeguarding practices, and conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the policies in place.
• Manage information pertaining to CHANGE project CB’s Intranet and update as required.
• Facilitate/coordinate in-country visits from media, photographers, partners and staff member from other countries.
• Ensure proper documentation and report on in-country activities.
• Other related duties as assigned in relation with CB, its subsidiaries or affiliates as the case may be.

 

Functional & Logistics Support

• Coordinate and respond to requests for communication materials and knowledge management assets from Canada Office and donors.

 

Timeline

The assignment will be for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension based on project and organizational needs.

 

Hours of Work

The Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist will be required to work the equivalent of 2-3 days (72 hours) per week. S/he may be required to work longer hours at certain times to meet project timelines.

Disclaimer: This Terms of Reference is not to be considered as an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position and as such can evolve with changing business demands

 

Safeguarding Mandates:

Children Believe follows “Zero-Tolerance” approach for any policy violations around sexual exploitation and abuse. Children Believe will take strictest actions in response to any past or future violation of this policy, including termination of employment and any other appropriate legal action within the parameters of the applicable local laws. We believe that all children and adults have the identical right to protection irrespective of any individual characteristic, pertaining to their age, gender, ability, culture, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity.