Communication Consultant for USAID DOBRE Program/Консультант з комунікацій в програму USAID DOBRE

Global Communities is seeking qualified consultants for USAID-funded Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency Program (DOBRE):

POSITION:                                                  Communication Consultant

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:             August-December 2021

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:                Consolidated Communities (CCs) located in Chernigivska (2 consultants), Chernivetska (2 consultants), and Zaporizhzhska (1 consultant) oblasts

LOE (Level of Effort) DAYS:                 up to 5 LOE days per СС, 1 field visit to each CC (4 or 5 CCs per consultant)

OBJECTIVE:

Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) Program is implemented by the international organization Global Communities, and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Program is working to enhance good local governance and create improved conditions for the development of consolidated communities (CCs), increase citizen engagement in decision-making, and ensure accountability and transparency in public administration.

In 2016 USAID DOBRE Program started operation in 7 target Oblasts: Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, and Ternopil (Cohort 1-3). Since June 2020, DOBRE Program started operating in three more Oblasts: Zaporizhzhia, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv (Cohort 4 CCs).

Currently, the USAID DOBRE Program assisting Cohort 4 CC with an elaboration of Service Delivery Improvement Plans (SDIPs). Based on strategies and findings of the citizen opinion survey Cohort 4 CCs selected priority services for improvement and created working groups (WG) from among representatives of СС. Nowadays, CCs elaborating mid- or long-term Service Delivery Improvement Plan and applications for the first priority SDIP project.

The Consultant will work in those DOBRE partner communities who have defined the certain type of the service being under the competencies of DOBRE Partner Communities. The Consultant will assist communities to elaborate communication part of Service Delivery Improvement Plan (SDIP) on the selected service in coordination with DOBRE Kyiv staff. Particularly, the Consultant will work closely with SDIP development and other DOBRE consultants, established Work Groups, municipal authorities, citizens.

The range of activity embraces:

Task 1. Development of Communication Plan on information and education campaign for SDIP implementation

Work with SDIP Working Group on:

• Identification of the communication goals and principles aimed changing behavior.
• Definition of target audience (stakeholders).
• Defining communication tools for the information support, including community website, web blog, other electronic media, e,g. texts, emails, YouTube videos, local media, including press and radio, roadshows, door stepping, community events, residents’ associations, community groups, public noticeboards, posters in public buildings, others.
• Formulation of the information and education campaigns aim and objective, key messages.
• Choice of communication methods based on type of message, target audience, impact and effectiveness and value for money.
• Choosing the most appropriate events for different stakeholders including schools, community groups, condominiums, etc.
• Agreeing and maintaining an annual calendar and action plan.
• Development of system for Monitor and evaluate services and communications campaigns.
• Amending communication plan with communication methods selected.

• Developing proposals for communication materials.

LOE: 5 days for each community, include 1 field visit to each community

Total LOE: 115 days, include 23 field visits (5 days, 1 field visit to each CC)

Number of consultants – 5.

Deliverables

In each assigned DOBRE partner community, the selected applicants will be expected to produce deliverable(s) related to the specific Task(s) described above:

• Information and Education Campaign Communication Plan (or communication part of Service Delivery Improvement Plan – by request from community), including objective, messages, target audience groups, communication methods, Action Plan, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, information materials.
• Report on consultancy input including success stories, challenges and lessons learnt.

Global Communities will select consultants on the basis of the following criteria:

• Previous experience in communication consulting
• Thorough knowledge of decentralization processes
• Knowledge of strategic planning and approaches to sustainable service delivery
• Moderation and facilitation skills
• Experience in organizing and moderation of public meetings
• Higher education in social sciences, communications, international relations, politology, law, or adjusted disciplines
• Native Ukrainian (oral and written)
• Experience in conducting online trainings (Zoom, MS Teams, Google docs and other online tools)
• Experience in public opinions would be an advantage
• Knowledge of English at the working level would be preferable, but not required

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants are to submit their CVs and cover letters to [email protected] by COB September 6, 2021 with the title of the position in the subject line.