Objective
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) seeks to engage a short-term consultant to strengthen the strategic communications and storytelling capabilities of teams supporting the Solar Pumps for Africa Platform.
The assignment will adopt an embedded coaching and mentoring approach, enabling programme teams to strengthen their communication skills through co-creation, guided practice and learning by doing. Rather than delivering classroom-style training, the consultant will work alongside programme teams to develop communication products, demonstrate best practices and establish practical communication processes that can be sustained beyond the assignment.
Scope of Work
The consultant will embed within the programme team and provide hands-on coaching through real communication assignments.
1. Embedded Coaching on Strategic Communications
· Coach programme teams in developing strategic communication approaches for the Solar Pumps for Africa Platform.
· Demonstrate how to identify target audiences, develop key messages and package technical content into compelling communication products.
· Mentor teams in applying ISA's branding, messaging and editorial standards across communication materials.
2. Storytelling through Co-Creation
Working alongside the Platform Owner, Regional Coordinator and Communications Unit, the consultant will:
· Identify stories with high communication value from programme implementation.
· Co-create human-interest stories, case studies and impact narratives with programme teams, demonstrating practical storytelling techniques throughout the process.
· Establish simple storytelling frameworks, templates and editorial workflows that teams can continue using independently.
3. Demonstration-Based Multimedia Storytelling
Coach teams through the end-to-end process of developing multimedia content by demonstrating:
· Storyboarding and scripting for short-form videos.
· Conducting interviews and capturing testimonials.
· Photography and mobile-first content creation.
· Developing production briefs and reviewing multimedia outputs.
The emphasis will be on building internal capability while producing communication assets for immediate use.
4. Guided Practice on Programme Communications
Provide structured mentoring to strengthen communications around key programme initiatives, including:
· Solar Pumps for Africa Platform
· IBSA-supported projects
· QUAD-related initiatives
The consultant will work alongside programme teams to package technical achievements into stories, digital content and outreach materials suitable for multiple audiences.
5. Mentoring and Knowledge Transfer
Throughout the assignment, the consultant will provide continuous coaching through:
· Real-time review and feedback on communication products.
· Guided practice sessions that enable participants to apply new skills during the assignment.
· Practical demonstrations of communication planning, storytelling and content development.
· Mentoring sessions focused on strengthening confidence, consistency and quality across programme communications.
Deliverables
By the end of the assignment, the consultant will deliver:
· Communication products developed through a co-creation process with programme teams, including brochures, flyers, stories and multimedia content.
· A practical storytelling toolkit comprising templates, editorial checklists, interview guides and content collection frameworks.
· Demonstration outputs showcasing best practices in written, visual and digital storytelling.
· Video concepts, scripts and production briefs developed jointly with programme teams.
· Coaching notes and feedback provided during the assignment to support continuous learning.
· A practical guidance note outlining recommended communication workflows, storytelling processes and quality standards for future implementation.
· A final report documenting activities undertaken, demonstration outputs, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening communications across the platform.
Expected Outcomes
At the conclusion of the assignment, programme teams will be able to:
· Independently identify and develop compelling stories from programme implementation.
· Produce communication products aligned with ISA's strategic messaging and branding.
· Apply effective storytelling techniques across digital, print and multimedia platforms.
· Document programme impact using practical, replicable communication processes.
· Sustain a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing through embedded communication practices.
Duration
· 30 working days <Remote and in-person combined>
Reporting
The consultant will report to the Communications & Outreach Unit of the International Solar Alliance Secretariat and work closely with the Platform Owner and Regional Coordinator throughout the assignment.