Eritrea: COMMUNICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT (C4D) STRATEGY IN ERITREA

Terms of Reference

Communications for Development (C4D) strategy in Eritrea

****INTRODUCTION****

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish development cooperation Organisation and the second largest provider of humanitarian aid. We operate in over 20 countries, where the need is most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political affiliations. Our work is based on rights, which means that our operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility. To this end, FCA is committed to working until the people in need can secure their livelihood and satisfy their basic needs independently.

FCA specializes in supporting local communities in three priority areas: right to livelihood, right to education and right to peace.

Finn Church Aid (FCA) has entered into a three year agreement with the Eritrean national Commission for Higher Education to form an educational partnership aimed at revitalizing the education system in Eritrea. The agreement will run until December 2017.

****BACKGROUND****

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is looking for a consultant/s to support the development of a robust communication for development (C4D) strategy in Eritrea. Communication for Development (C4D) represents a broad range of communication activities that go beyond conventional PR or information sharing. Rather, C4D contribute directly to the programmatic outcomes by stimulating concreate action and behavioral change. C4D is a two-way process that uses a range of tools and approaches to engage communities and listen to adults and children as they identify challenges, propose solutions, and together take action.

C4D uses a mix of multiple approaches which consist of:

Behaviour Change Communication: use participatory and interpersonal communication, and marketing techniques and tools, to inform, influence & involve individuals, households & opinion leaders in adopting new attitudes and/or behaviors

Social Mobilization: engaging wide network of partners/ stakeholders (e.g. civil society – non- governmental organizations, youth groups, women’s groups, community based organizations and faith based organizations) to promote access to quality education for children and youth

Advocacy: linking perspectives, concerns, and voices of girls, boys, women and men from marginalized groups to upstream policy dialogue to facilitate increased demand and accountability for quality education

The range of audiences and participant groups that FCA engages will include children, their parents and caregivers, teachers and education personnel, media and communication personnel, cultural and performing arts groups, local celebrities, popular opinion leaders, local religious leaders and traditional heads of communities, national and subnational level policy and decision makers in education, political and other influential leaders.

****ACTIVITIES****

The sought consultant/s will work with FCA Eritrea team on the following activities.

1. Develop a C4D strategy that harnesses the power of communications to achieve the following outcomes:
2. Raise the profile of teaching profession in Eritrea by profiling education innovators in Eritrea
3. Stimulate dialogue across communities, education institutions, and among policy makers about quality, inclusion, and access to education.
4. Motivate teachers, community members, policy-makers to support education interventions that focus on quality, protection, and inclusion.
5. Stimulate better strategic partnerships by making FCA more visible and recognizable to local and international audiences
6. Contribute to development of a clear visual and verbal identity as FCA as important actor in education, illustrating that FCA is forward thinking, willing to experiment, innovate, and take on complex challenges.
7. Develop C4D Toolkit

Use multiple communication platforms and mix of media that engage, inspire, and generate discussion and action. The toolkit should include:

• relevant, culturally sensitive messaging and materials for a range of audiences across traditional and new media and communication channels
• stories that are visually and emotionally compelling and broadly accessible given the lack of internet access,

The development of the toolkit should involve

• pre-testing of creative concepts and messages
• Participatory design including with children, their families and communities and appropriate education personnel•

****KEY SKILLS, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED****

• Proven leadership and/or track record in the field of Behaviour and social change communication
• Experience and success in developing country contexts, facilitation of south to south cooperation and/or national/local capacity development will be considered an asset.
• Strong understanding and use of rights based approach to programming, results-based management, promotion of gender equality, and other priorities of the global human development agenda (as currently exemplified through the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs).
• Strong experience in the production and dissemination of tested, innovative and strategic messages and materials;
• Fluency in oral and written communication in English.

The Consultant shall work in good cooperation with FCA staff in the ESARO field office and in head office (FCA HQ in Helsinki). The Consultant uses his/her own equipment (phone, laptop, e-mail etc.).

In regards to the agreed ****fees and payment:**** FCA will cover all travel expenses during the collaboration.

• Flight tickets to and from Asmara (return)
• Visas to Eritrea
• Per diems
• Local travel with standard means in Eritrea
• Accommodation in Asmara, Eritrea
• Other expenses or expenses not related to implementation of this proposal shall not be covered by FCA.

****Requirements****

• Profile of the consultant or consultancy firm
• Interpretation of the Terms of reference
• Solid evidence of how the application meets the TOR requirements
• Proposed Methodology
• Proposed Work Plan
• Proposed budget which should include travel costs and other expenses pertaining to the proposal.

****Deadline for submission of full and final proposals is 17^th September, 2015 by noon. All applications should be received through****recruitment.esaro@kua.fi ****bearing the title with**** Communications for Development (C4D) Strategy in Eritrea.To seek for additional information on the proposal please send email to**Admin.esaro@kua.fi**