Communication & Outreach expert

Wattan Media Organization
Towards Thriving Municipal Governance (In the Presence of the Municipality)

- Job Title: Communication and Outreach expert
- Project: In the Presence of the Municipality
- Job Classification: short term service contract
- Reporting to: Under the general direction of the Project manager
- Estimated Duration of Assignment: 6 Months

Background and Objectives

Wattan is an award-winning, independent secular media organization based in Ramallah, Palestine. In 1996, a group of civil society organizations established the TV station to offer the public a source of news and information that was neither governmental nor politically affiliated.

Wattan is implementing “In the presence of the Municipality” project, funded by Communities Thrive Project. The project aims at enhancing accountability, transparency and performance of Local Government Units [LGUs], specifically in 55 communities in the West Bank through increasing: 1) citizen awareness of their municipal rights and responsibilities; 2) citizen participation in municipal affairs; and 3) LGUs communication with local citizenry on issues of importance. This will be achieved through building the capacity of PR persons in LGUs, developing outreach and communication strategic plans, public awareness campaigns, and creating an internship program for fresh graduates in the LGU’s media departments. Building the communication plans in a workshop approach shall encourage LGUs to learn from each other and benefit from the experience of the communities of practice.

Scope of Work

The Communication and Outreach consultant will develop 55 outreach and communication strategies for LGUs in Arabic. The strategies will be specifically designed according to each LGUs’ projects, programs and resources, and after conducting communication workshops for LGUs. The strategies will be developed in close coordination with LGUs and CTP. The strategies will focus on the following points:
Engaging citizens sooner (especially women, youth and people with disabilities)
Boosting public participation
Creating new channels to distribute information
Creating online platforms for receiving feedback and complaints
Having conversations with the public
Providing information that is clear
Keeping citizens informed
Fostering communities of practice between all 55 LGUs by creating mechanisms for them to communicate with each other and learn from each other.

The Communications Consultant shall undertake the following:

Meet with Project Manager and submit implementation plan.
Conduct group workshops for LGUS (Multiple LGUs at each workshop). Workshops must be interactive and tackles each LGU’s goals, vision, and projects. The assigned expert must run those workshops in a way that allows learning and participation from LGU’s and encourages them to learn from each other’s experience.
Prepare materials or templates to be used during the workshop to ensure accurate collection of information.
Design, formulate and lead the development of the communications and outreach strategies which will enhance the LGU’s media and online presence and information dissemination by upgrading the quality and use of existing media/information platforms (webpage, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, press releases, articles, video documentaries, etc.); and Contribute to identifying new and creative ways to enhance visibility and outreach of project deliverables and results.
Consult and meet with public relations and media persons within LGUs and discuss the strategies.
Foster ‘Communities of Practice’ between the 55 LGUs by establishing a mechanism for them to communicate with each other and learn from each other’s experiences.
Advise on and support the organization of publicity/outreach for the project,
Submit periodic and final reports as requested.

Impact of result:

All LGUs will be using communications tools to share information with citizens.
All LGUs will be connected with each other and learning from each other.
LGUs are aware of how their future media activities will be conducted.

Deliverables:

To correspond to the above tasks, and working with Wattan, the trainer will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Conduct group workshops for LGUS (Multiple LGUs at each workshop).
Design, formulate and lead the development of the communications and outreach strategies in Arabic which will enhance the LGU’s media and online presence and information dissemination by upgrading the quality and use of existing media/information platforms (webpage, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, press releases, articles, video documentaries, etc.); and Contribute to identifying new and creative ways to enhance visibility and outreach of project deliverables and results.
Consult and meet with public relations and media persons within LGUs and discuss the strategies.
Creating mechanism for communication between the 55 LGUs.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Qualifications (education - competencies)

Minimum of 10 years of experience in media, journalism, communications, public relations or any other relevant field.
Minimum of BA degree in public relations, journalism, media or communications, or any other relevant field. Master’s degree is an asset.
Strong knowledge and familiarity with contemporary media (digital and social media, and creative communication tools).
Solid Social Accountability experience and understanding.
Excellent communications, analytical and research skills.
Strong writing and reporting skills in English and Arabic.
Strong facilitation skills.
Prior successful and proven experience and references for similar assignments is required.
Experience working with local government is a plus.

Time Frame and Level of Effort of the Consultancy

The level of effort for this assignment is estimated at 6 months.

Application process

Interested candidates with relevant education and work experience are encouraged to submit their CV, a cover letter and minimum two references with full contact information. Applications should be submitted to

[email protected]

No later than 31/3/2018 2018, please make sure to mention the position name in the subject.