Job Description

(Somalia Bar ama Baro, BAB “Teach or Learn” Program)

Title: Communications and Outreach Consultant

Locations : Mogadishu

No of consultants: 1

Duration : 6 Months

Deliverable: Monthly progress report

Start Date : 15 March,2024 

Background

Creative Associates International is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in areas of education, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 plus countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well respected by competitors and partners alike.

Projects Summary

The five-year USAID-funded Bar ama Baro (“Teach or Learn” in Somali – BAB) program is a comprehensive primary education program designed to support the government of Somalia in providing quality non-formal education services to marginalized children across the country. Through working at both the national and local level, BAB systematically and strategically assists government and community actors in designing and delivering comprehensive non-formal education services to children most in need of accelerated education assistance. Specifically, the BAB project aims to increase student enrollment in accelerated basic education centers (ABE), improve student safety, monitor improvements in literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills, and improve the Federal Government of Somalia’s capacity to standardize and regulate the accelerated education space.

Scope of Work

Position Summary:  The Communications/ Outreach Consultant will support the design and dissemination of a range of communications products to inform diverse stakeholders about the work of the project. 

The Consultant will work closely with both the BAB in-country team and BAB’s international Technical Advisors on communications strategies, approaches and outreach materials and activities that effectively promote the program and results to both an international and regional audience. 

The Consultant will be based in Mogadishu and may visit the BAB offices/work from the BAB offices to facilitate effective implementation.

Reporting: This position reports to the COP.

Activities/Deliverables:

• Collect and compile weekly reports (using template shared by BAB) for reporting to USAID. Reports are due on Thurs AM each week. Weekly Reporting schedule will commence from February 22, 2024, and continue through August 31, 2024.
• Coordinate and support the end-to-end design and delivery of BAB talk-show series, with support from BAB technical team, including creating an RFP for service providers/producers and identifying stations for broadcast, scripting key concepts and identifying speakers/participants for interviews or guest-spots. Topics include: Non-formal Education and Transition Pathways, Child Development and Importance of SEL, Celebrating Parents/Community Engagement in Education, MoECHE Plans for Education, Women Teachers in the Workforce, Highlighting Somali Youth Aspirations and Achievements.

Ideally, one talk show will be completed each month, starting on March 1, 2024 and culminating on August 31, 2024, with topics (as required) aligned to international celebration/special interest days for greater relevance/interest.

• Compile up to five tweets per month for sharing with USAID as relevant to BAB activities and international celebration days. (February-September 2024)
• Compile 9 success stories for inclusion in BAB’s quarterly reports – 3 per quarter (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sept 2024) and coordinate with BAB team to procure appropriate high-quality photos for each. If needed, visit field sites to conduct interviews/obtain first-person accounts and information as useful to produce impactful stories.
• Identify high-quality photographers and videographers (including up and coming youth video/photojournalists/producers) and work with the BAB team to support the completion of two project videos by July 2024. The videos are intended to both celebrate BAB achievements as well as document lessons learned – using fun, engaging, non-traditional approaches. Topics will be determined in coordination with BAB team and USAID. The Consultant will work on ideation/conceptualization, scripts, presentation of ideas to USAID, translations, incorporation of feedback from different stakeholders, and if needed, accompany companies/individuals selected to the sites to ensure smooth production and high-quality deliverables.
• Support smooth completion of BAB Coaching videos by liaising with BAB team and selected vendor to identify schools, finalize production and complete deliverables on time. Participate in the training of the teachers/heads (and, if needed, visit some schools in Mogadishu during initial rollout stage) to ensure that the use and purpose of the videos is well understood, and that content is accessible.
• Identify company/additional consultants to support the BAB Interchange Event. Lead the end-to-end planning process, in close consultation with the BAB team, including identifying/approving venues, invitations, food and refreshments, set-up (e.g., on-site materials, translations, registration, coordination with security etc.) reporting milestones, documentation of the event etc.
• Any other tasks assigned may include writing press-releases or suggesting additional social media content and ways to document/disseminate BAB progress and successes.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field is desired. 
• Minimum eight years of professional experience. 
• Minimum of four years of specific experience working in the communication sector (media, journalism, policy and behavior change).
• Strong understanding of communication and behavior change concepts, understanding of various audiences (Govt, regional communities, donor landscape etc.) as well as creative flair and analytical capacity to combine timely issues and thread awareness-raising concepts across multiple media platforms.
• Experience with USAID or donor-funded projects desired. 
• Good problem solving, stress management and time management skills. 
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of other Microsoft suite applications.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Arabic required. 
• Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage multiple tasks. 
• Ability to work independently and in close coordination with team members across different time zones/geographies.
• Willingness to travel to the field and offer hands-on support as needed.

Other:

The expected time will be 20 hours per week. Travel will be reimbursed per BAB policies.

Skills Required

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