Terms of Reference for Communication Strategy Development at Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA)

• The project has two major components: Waste Management implemented in Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Nairobi, Homabay and Kisumu Counties, and Agriculture and Services implemented in Machakos, Makueni, Nakuru, Nyandarua, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Kakamega Counties. A total of 29,740 direct project participants are targeted to benefit from the project activities composed of 80% women, 20% men and 40% among them youth. It is also planned that a total of, 20,818 viable enterprises will be developed sustainably so as to improve beneficiary average incomes by more than 100% and create 31,227 jobs. To achieve desired outcome objectives, a combination of strategies including a communication strategy will be used during implementation.

OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• The main objective of the assignment is to develop a comprehensive communication strategy for the BIRE Project to enable the Hand in Hand Eastern Africa to effectively engage with its various stakeholders. The communications strategy will provide a comprehensive communication framework for the entire project within the agreed-upon period of time. The strategy will serve the following purposes:
• Strategic Communication Planning and Crisis anticipation: Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for the entire project aligned with project objectives, target audiences, and stakeholders' needs. This includes identifying key messages, communication channels, and tactics to effectively disseminate project information and engage with stakeholders in all the project areas while anticipating and mitigating communication crisis areas. This will also include developing a monitoring and Evaluation framework for the communication strategy as well as the action bearers required to implement the strategy developed.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach: Implement proactive stakeholder engagement initiatives to foster dialogue, build trust, and manage expectations among both Internal and external stakeholders—Internal stakeholders include the direct project beneficiaries, implementing staff, and management while the External stakeholders include the national government, County governments, HiH Network partners, donors and other partner organizations
• This will involve organizing consultation meetings, workshops, focus group discussions, and community events to solicit feedback, address grievances, and promote participation. Collaborate with the Hand In Hand EA and The BIRE Project donors (HiH Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden) on communication drives to maintain a point of contact for project’s Internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge Management and Reporting: Manage the collection, analysis, and dissemination of project-related information, data, and knowledge products to internal and external stakeholders within the applicable policies and regulations.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

• The main objective of this communication strategy is to provide a Deliberate and sustained communication for enhanced visibility and acceptability of the BIRE Project
• To increase the level of awareness of the BIRE project and HiH among stakeholders
• To promote positive perception and behavior change among stakeholders of the BIRE project
• To strengthen mechanisms for crisis communication during the project implementation period
• To ensure provision of timely, high quality and effective communication with
• Stakeholders during the project implementation period as per the set guidelines and rules.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITY

• The key task of the communication consultant is to develop a comprehensive, practical and context specific communication strategy for the BIRE project

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• The lead consultant should have the following desired qualifications and experience:

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCE OF THE CONSULTANT

• HiH EA requests consultant firms to submit proposals to respond to this Terms of Reference as outlined above. We expect the firm to demonstrate the skills and experience outlined below (or equivalent):
• The lead consultant must have a minimum of a Master's Degree in Communication, Mass Media, development studies, Public Relations, or a related field from a recognized institution; additional higher education qualification will be an added advantage
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in communication work in the corporate development and/or Public Benefit Organization (PBO) and demonstrate prove of previous similar work.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing successful public communication strategies and campaigns;
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation and implementation of public communications plans for development projects;
• Outstanding communication skills both in written and spoken medium with a strong command of English and Kiswahili languages;
• Strong interpersonal and team skills;
• High level of reliability and integrity; and
• Membership to a relevant professional body will be an added advantage.