Local Consultancy – Communication, Tbilisi, Georgia

Local Consultancy – Communication, Tbilisi, Georgia

 NICEF Georgia is seeking for a communication consultant to support in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating an advocacy and communication activities to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives in the country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand. The consultant will report to the Communication Officer and work in close coordination with programme sections and external partners. 

Rationale and context of the assignment: Communication at UNICEF comprises Web, Social Media and Multimedia teams working together to create compelling public-facing content and to provide digital services within the organization. Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, UNICEF draws attention to the many facets of its work, encouraging public support, participation and action, as well as ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Communication and visibility plan: Support in implementation and monitoring of Communication and Visibility plans of the two EU supported projects “Enhancing Access to Justice and Development of a Child-friendly Justice System in Georgia” and “Human Rights for All”.  
2. Media relations: Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in maintaining media relationships to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.
3. Special events and campaigns: Support is provided in organizing special events and campaigns to contribute to country programme goals.

4. Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

    

   Key Accountabilities and tasks

1. Communication and visibility plans and communication materials

• Implement communication and visibility plans of the two EU supported projects “Enhancing Access to Justice and Development of a Child-friendly Justice System in Georgia” and “Human Rights for All” to ensure all project related activities are properly branded, documented and raised awareness about.   
• Support in planning and implementation of the media and public advocacy campaign on justice for children within the framework of the EU supported project “Enhancing Access to Justice and Development of a Child-friendly Justice System in Georgia”.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.

• Under the direction of the Communication Officer, coordinate with numerous people throughout the organization to research, structure, assemble and produce stories about major milestones achieved within the country programme as well as highlight the advocacy issues concerning children.
• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication multimedia materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.) and packages, and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.
• Maintain an up-to-date documentation centre for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.

• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities;

1. Media relations

• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Support in inviting media for important events like launches, press-conferences and support in proactively providing stories to media.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
• Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)

1. Special events and campaigns

• Assist in organizing various public events involving groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update celebrity and partner contact lists/database for country office. 

• Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.

   

1. Monitoring and evaluation

• Assist in coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analysing relevant data.

• Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.

Deliverables:

Monthly progress report(s) on completed activities provided.

Qualifications:

Education

University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

Experienced in developing content for multi-media platforms, including social media.

Knowledge of digital platforms, engagement strategies.

Thorough knowledge of Georgian media landscape and the relevant work experience.

Work Experience

Five year practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

Language Proficiency   

Fluency in English and Georgian.

Duration of Consultancy and logistics:

The consultancy is for 11 months: June 2017 – April 2018

The incumbent is required to be in the UNICEF office as necessary

Supervision and Reporting Responsibility

The UNICEF Communication Officer will provide the supervision and performance review. The consultant will provide the reports prior to affecting payments based on the agreed tasks and deliverables. The consultant's performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, and quality of the products delivered.

Payment Terms and Rates

The candidate is requested to submit the monthly gross remuneration proposal in GEL in the cover letter together with the application.

The consultant will be paid agreed amount for the service on a monthly basis. The payment instalments will be directly linked with satisfactory deliverables at specific time intervals and as certified by the manager.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or failed to meet deadlines.