Zimbabwe: Consultancy Notice No. Zim/2016:06: Communication Support for Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s Sector Strategic Plan
Consultancy notice by UN Children’s Fund
Organisation: United Nations Children’s Fund
Country: Zimbabwe
Closing Date: 21-10-2016
Please note that UNICEF does not charge a fee or require personal banking details at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training or any other fees).
Consultant required: National Consultant Duration: 6 months
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines, here in Zimbabwe, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation, quality basic education for all girls and boys, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS.
Background
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (the Ministry) seeks to develop and implement a communications strategy and a set of supporting activities. The objective is to provide strategic direction to the Ministry’s communication as it strives to provide information about education in Zimbabwe, increase awareness of the Ministry’s work, encourage the public to interact with the Ministry, and cultivate prospective local and international support. As part of this process, the Ministry is seeking technical support to develop the strategy and implement some critical aspects of a related action plan such as the development of a website and a set of communication products related to the current ESSP.
The Ministry is engaged in a range of transformative reforms that have far reaching implications for the future of education in Zimbabwe, all outlined in the new Education Sector Strategic Plan. These include the implementation of a new curriculum and continued support to schools to improve access and quality. Success of these initiatives requires that the Ministry maximizes the provision of information as well as engagement with the public and partners. The Ministry therefore wants to develop and implement a communication strategy that is cognizant of the complexity of its audience and the importance of ensuring messages regarding its work are clear and consistent.
Objective(s)
- To develop a communication strategy and action plan to guide communication related to the Ministry’s sector strategic plan (the ESSP); and,
- To create a set of communication products that give visibility to some of the major interventions being supported by the Ministry.
Methodology & Expected Output
The consultant’s inception report should include a detailed methodology and steps to achieving the deliverables. However, the proposed approach should be designed in a way that allows for experiences in developing the products contribute to the development of the strategy and capacities of the Ministry personnel. This should entail collaboration with designated personnel within the Ministry in ways that allow for transfer of expertise. This approach should include being embedded in the Ministry to work on the products while collecting information that informs the strategy and collaborating with Ministry staff.
The consultant will, where possible, build on existing communication products and systems including draft communication strategy and existing websites. It will therefore be necessary to review the existing communication activities/processes of the Ministry and decide what aspects can be sustained. This review should also feed into the strategy as it will provide information on the processes and products that Ministry has in place and need to be considered in implementing the strategy
Outputs
- Develop a multi-year communication strategy that charts a strategic direction for the communication activities of the Ministry, related to implementation of the ESSP. Based on an assessment of the Ministry’s capacities, needs and target audience, the strategy should define a strategic approach for the Ministry’s communication as well as set out concrete activities that must be undertaken to strengthen communication within the Ministry and with it stakeholders. The strategy should also address issues such as content development and maintenance, monitoring of the communication activities, skills and capacity development, and roles and responsibilities of various Ministry functions.The final strategy that emerges should also include a revised action plan that takes cognizance of the actions required to implement the ESSP priorities.
- Develop communication products that give visibility to selected components of the work of the Ministry including:
- Two short videos (less than 5 minutes) with general information (achievements to date and plans) on EDF and GPE. The intended target audience will be the general public, donors and potential donors.
-Two 10-12 minute videos that can support training and sensitization on SIG and curriculum implementation. The target audiences will be district and school personnel and parents.
-Three brochures on EDF, ESSP, and financial management in schools (targeting school personnel).
-Three charts on agreed aspects of the ESSP (targeting Ministry personnel at all levels).
- Create a modern website with the following products and services:
-Content management system
-Document and file management module
-Image gallery module
-Search engine optimization and internet copy writing module
Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe
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Major Task: Review the Ministry’s communication programme and needs and prepare an Inception Report inclusive of assessment of communication needs, proposed tasks, methods, timeframe, and inputs required. Deliverable: Detailed Inception ReportTimeframe: 30 November 2016 Comments: Final deliverables, timeframes and processes will be agreed as part of the inception report discussions. Payment Schedule: 20%
- Major Task: Develop draft / mock-up of agreed products Deliverable: Drafts of 2 brochures, 4 agreed charts and 4 short videos Timeframe: 20 January 2017
- Major Task: Develop a mock-up of the website and present for review including the requirements for updating the website, domain and name registration, support and changes and how to maintain the website after the completion Deliverable: Mock Website with maintenance plan Timeframe: 20 February 2017
- Major Task: Present final versions of all products including the website Deliverable:Final communication products (Developed under tasks 2 and 3) Timeframe: 28 February 2017 Payment Schedule: 20%
- Major Task: Develop a draft communication strategy and action plan on ESSP prioritiesDeliverable: Draft communication strategy and action plan Timeframe: 30 April 2017Payment Schedule: 25%
- Major Task: Present final versions of all deliverables, incorporating feedback provided, and all material collected during the consultancy. Deliverable: Final versions of deliverables Timeframe: 30 May 2017 Payment Schedule: 35%
All deliverables will have to meet expected quality and standards as assessed by the supervisor of the assignment. Should the consultant fail to deliver as per expected quality and standards, UNICEF reserves the right to amend the payouts accordingly, or to delay them until satisfactory submission has been received.
Consultancy Requirements
The successful consultant should have extensive experience in the development of communication strategies and traceable records of past accomplishments related to the deliverables of this consultancy. Previous work within the development sector will be an added advantage. The selected candidate will have:
- At least 6 years of professional experience in communication;
- Prior experience developing communication strategies and action plans;
- Demonstrated expertise in developing websites for organisations;
- Demonstrated excellent writing skills, design and graphics skills;
- Previous experience in developing and delivering training in communication is desirable, and;
- Prior work on education-related communication products.
Supervision
The assignment will be carried out under the EDF Manager at UNICEF. However, the consultant will be based in the Ministry with day to day support and oversight from personnel designated by the Permanent Secretary.
How to apply:
If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, please send your technical proposal (including methodology, action plan and time frame) and financial proposal (inclusive of professional fees and other costs such as travel, transport etc.), together with vitae quoting consultancy name and number to the following address. Either email or drop in person to:
Human Resources Manager
(Consultancy Announcement No. Zim/2016:06)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
Belgravia, Harare
Or email: hararevacancies@unicef.org
Applications submitted without an all-inclusive fee/ rate (fee, travel and living expenses) will not be considered. Applications should be received by the 21 October 2016. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.