Terms of Reference - Consultant to develop project communication materials

The FAIRWAY Programme, funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation, is a four-year interregional development cooperation initiative (2019-23) that aims to improve conditions of labour migration across migration pathways from Africa to Arab States and better protect all migrant workers in vulnerable situations within the Arab states region, thereby enabling migrant workers to contribute more fully to sustainable development in both countries of origin and destination. 

The Programme has developed a Communication Advocacy and Visibility Strategy (hereafter ‘Communications Strategy’) and requires a consultant to provide support in developing project content and outreach, including through the project’s website (www.ilo.org/fairway), newsletter and social media. 

The key objectives of the consultancy are to support the FAIRWAY Arab States Programme team (reporting to the FAIRWAY Arab States Program Manager) to develop communications material for the project’s website (www.ilo.org/fairway), newsletter and social media. To do this, the consultant will be required to liaise with the project team, a consultant web developer and graphics artist, and the ILO’s communications unit for the Arab States (RCOMM).  

 In terms of preparatory work, the consultant will be required to: 

• Review the project’s Communications Strategy, use of terminology (including the ILO glossary on migration) and previous communications materials; 
• Become familiar with the current ILO style guide;
• Upskill on use of the Adestra platform, learning about the templates for newsletters and how to send out event invitations (short training by HQ colleagues and self-navigation on the platform). 

The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables: 

• Developing updates for the project website in English and Arabic, in consultation with the technical team, based on upcoming events, publications or other updates; and liaising with the web developer to upload the content to the FAIRWAY website;
• Developing content and formatting one project newsletter based on content from both Africa and Arab States project teams (this may also require some phone interviews with stakeholders including migrant workers, to prepare the news articles); disseminating through Adestra platform, including preparing a pdf version in Arabic;
• Working with RCOMM in the Arab States to develop/launch content for various social media campaigns including releasing social media cards (in collaboration with the FAIRWAY graphics artist) in the lead up to events and launch of publications such as: 
  • Interregional consultation between trade unions in Africa and Arab States (October);  o UN Network on Migration webinar on technology in recruitment (October) o AUC-ILO Africa-Arab States interregional meeting on labour migration (November) o Launch of joint UN policy brief on absconding (November)
  • International Migrants’ Day, including dissemination of the project newsletter  (December)
• Tracking impact of communications outreach (liaising with colleagues to get figures on download data, tracking social media analytics); and
• Maintaining a network of journalists in the region, in order to share embargoed reports and press packs, advise on story ideas, support other media outreach in project countries. 

 The timing and number of work days for the activities will be approximately as per the table in the attached document.

The contract period will be approximately 31 non-consecutive days between 28 August 2021– 10 January 2022.

Payment will be made in three instalments: 

• First payment (50%) following completion of four updates for the project website in English and Arabic, in consultation with the technical team, and one social media campaign
• Second payment (50%) on completion of remaining social media campaigns and updates, and dissemination of the project newsletter. 

The consultant should have:

Education  

• Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations/Affairs, Marketing, Journalism or any other related field but this may be substituted for demonstrated experience. 

 Experience, skills and competencies  

• A minimum of three years of professional experience in development communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field in the Arab States. 
• Capability and proven experience in developing and executing communications and advocacy strategies, and crafting messages in various formats (press releases, websites, blogs, social media, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences. 
• Some familiarity with Communication 4 Development and results-focussed communication, preferably in the context of migration. 
• Knowledge of the issues faced by migrant workers employed in the Arab States is an advantage. 
• Experience working with UN or other international development organizations and donor agencies would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Arabic; excellent written English skills and good written competency in Arabic. 
• Exceptional attention to detail, particularly in the context of ensuring gender-sensitive, context appropriate and clear language, and correct and consistent formatting. 
• Proven ability to comply with deadlines and excellent time-management skills. 
• Willingness to learn to use software to send out newsletters and event invitations (Adestra).