Communications and Influencing Consultant

Terms of Reference: Communications and Influencing Consultant - EDPU

Description

Oxfam in Lebanon is hosting a policy coordination unit called “Economic Development Policy Unit (EDPU)” to coordinate and optimize the impact of the different livelihood and social stability projects implemented in Lebanon under the “Support to Economic Development and Social Stability in Lebanon” European Union Trust Fund (EUTF). EUTF grants will end in late 2023 and the Communications and Influencing Consultant is expected to engage with the unit starting March 2022 until December 2022. 

Implementing partners of the Support to Economic Development and Social Stability in Lebanon EUTF are the following (with consortium lead):

• LINKED - Linking Vulnerable Populations and Inclusive Market Networks to Advance Sustainable Economic Development in Lebanon (Danish Refugee Council): Focusing on sustainable, inclusive and sustainable economic development in Lebanon
• INMA’A - Sustainable Social Protection and Livelihood Solutions for Severely Vulnerable Households in Lebanon (Save the Children)
• SEE Change - Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Change (Oxfam): Focusing on supporting all components of the SE ecosystem in Lebanon
• Youth Resolve - Resilience, Social Cohesion, Opportunities for Livelihoods and Reduced Violence in Lebanon (World Vision): Focusing on social cohesion and quick impact projects
• VET4all - Recognised job-related competences for Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in response to the Syrian crisis (GIZ): Focusing on vocational training

The EDPU aims to “to strengthen the ability of the EUTF implementing partners to collectively influence the policy making process and donor funding for Lebanon through policy coordination and evidence generation,” and regularly assess the policy environment to produce policy products targeting key stakeholders and policies impacting livelihoods and economic policy more broadly. The EDPU will seek to ensure that common messaging among all relevant stakeholders, including the EU Delegation in Beirut, is derived from evidence generated in the field by all Consortia and that speak to a changing policy environment. The analysis carried out by the EDPU will contribute to proposing policy alternatives where gaps are identified, and inform Lebanese policy makers, donor community, humanitarian stakeholders, and the EU on contextual priorities.

In this context, Oxfam is looking to contract a Communications and Influencing Consultant who will support the unit in implementing its Communication and Influencing Plan (endorsed by EU & EU partners in late 2021).

Job Description

Oxfam seeks to contract a Communications and Influencing Consultant to broadly support the implementation of EDPU’s Communication & Influencing Plan using a participatory approach with EUTF consortia. With guidance and support from the EDPU core team, the consultant will deliver on the following:

1. Ensure appropriate formatting and branding for all EDPU research & communication products and events, in line with the branding package previously developed for the unit and approved.  
2. Assist with the production of approved visibility material for the project (stationary, gadgets etc.), based on needs.
3. Launch and manage EDPU’s online channels, i.e. LinkedIn and Facebook accounts (EDPU’s LinkedIn and Facebook accounts have been created).
4. Support the production of EDPU’s social media content, using information and research material submitted to the consultant and following a monthly/quarterly calendar or detailed social media plan with timelines (e.g. team biography posts, EUTF consortia presentation posts, EDPU/consortia research update posts, other updates from partners, event/training update posts…) to be developed by the consultant with support from EDPU & EUTF partners.
5. Inform and engage with EDPU’s own target audience base and increase outreach through building a community of like-minded followers. Analyze basic analytics on audience profiles to identify follower types, grow audience base, assess impact, and influence, and adjust comms & influencing strategy accordingly.
6. Link up EDPU social media with EUTF partners' social media channels to enhance visibility and gain traction (develop appropriate connections with EU partners’ websites and social media accounts through shares, re-tweets, simultaneous news postings etc. after securing necessary approvals).
7. Support with the production & dissemination of EDPU’s newsletter through Mail Chimp, as needed.
8. Support EDPU’s research team with the development of up to 3 (three) evidence-based communications products (including infographics and/or videos and/or facts & figures illustrating selected EDPU research findings) and ensure their dissemination on & offline via multiple channels.
9. Support the promotion, including online boosting, and in- and offline dissemination of EDPU’s blogs, press articles, op-eds, etc. in line with EU guidelines.
10. Lead on preparation requested for 1 (one) EDPU multistakeholder event, either online or offline (TBD), e.g. research webinar, policy roundtable or capacity-building event.
11. Support the conduct of an interim evaluation of EDPU’s Comms & Influencing Strategy.
12. Develop a detailed action plan to activate EDPU’s Comms & Influencing Strategy, with clear action points and milestones/timelines, covering all of the above. 

The consultant will be expected to:

1. Keep track of all EU and EU partners’ communication channels and events. Liaise with communication focal points of EU consortia as necessary.
2. Follow EU’s and Oxfam’s guidelines at all times in implementing communication-related activities. Ensure all comms related products are previously validated with EU, EU partners and/or EDPU team, as necessary, prior to dissemination.
3. Assist EDPU on all aspects related to copyright ownership and intellectual property rights.
4. Provide all original files of communication-faced developed products (e.g. infographics, short video).  
5. Support on ad hoc design-related requests for EDPU products and presentations.
6. Submit a bimonthly short report/update on EDPU’s online channels performance & progress (to include relevant data, analytics, lessons learned and way forward) with recommendations for improvement and potential cost implications (online boosting etc).

Oxfam will support the consultant with:

1. Briefing on the EDPU project and its objectives.
2. Providing EU’s and Oxfam’s guidelines (including EDPU branding package and social media account details).
3. Making all necessary introductions within and outside Oxfam to facilitate the smooth collaboration of the consultant with relevant staff/partners, especially communications focal points of EU consortia.
4. Providing collected comments from EUTF partners and the EU donor on concepts and iterations of products/activities submitted by the consultant.

Qualifications and required expertise

Qualification & Skills Requirements:

• Holder of a university degree in media & communication, graphic design, journalism, public policy, or other relevant degree.
• Proven record in communications, advocacy, policy influencing or social campaigning work (minimum of four years’ working experience in those fields, ideally with a focus on livelihoods and/or social stability in Lebanon).
• Excellent knowledge of social media design and content development, and digital platform management.
• Excellent knowledge of graphic design, illustration and branding (Familiarity with EU branding, communications, and visibility guidelines is desirable).
• Solid experience in conducting online workshops for national & international organizations; strong event management skills.
• Excellent communication, writing and facilitation skills in both English & Arabic.
• Knowledge of the functioning of Oxfam and local partners is a plus.

Timeframe

Timeframe envisioned for this consultancy is running from 1/03/2022 until 31/12/2022 for a total of 50 days (averaging 5 working days/month). Please note: this consultancy role is subject to renewal based on good performance and availability of funding.

Payments to the consultant will be done on a quarterly basis upon completing all required tasks and deliverables, as follows:

Activity sets

Expected number of

working days

Period

• Detailed action plan to activate EDPU’s Comms & Influencing Strategy, with clear action points and milestones/timelines
• Monthly/quarterly social media calendar for 2022
• Launch of EDPU social media accounts
• 1st update on EDPU’s online channels performance & progress (to include relevant data, analytics, lessons learned and way forward)
• Production & dissemination of 1st quarterly EDPU newsletter through Mail Chimp
• Development of one evidence-based communication product
• Adhoc support as requested

12.5

March – May 2022

• Monthly/quarterly social media calendar for 2022
• Management of EDPU social media accounts (including boosting)
• 2nd update on EDPU’s online channels performance & progress
• Production & dissemination of 2nd quarterly EDPU newsletter through Mail Chimp
• Development of one evidence-based communication product
• Preparation for one EDPU multistakeholder event
• Adhoc support as requested

25

June – Sept. 2022

• Monthly/quarterly social media calendar for 2022
• Management of EDPU social media accounts (including boosting)
• 3rd update on EDPU’s online channels performance & progress
• Production & dissemination of 3rd quarterly EDPU newsletter through Mail Chimp
• Development of one evidence-based communication product
• Evaluation of EDPU’s Communication & Influencing Plan
• Adhoc support as requested

12.5

Oct. – Dec. 2022