Consultant (Communications) (01 position)

About WorldFish

WorldFish is an international, nonprofit research and innovation institution that creates, advances, and translates aquatic food systems science into scalable solutions. We vision an inclusive world of healthy, well-nourished people and a sustainable blue planet, now and in the future. Our mission is to end hunger and advance progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation to transform food, land, and water systems with aquatic foods for healthier people and the planet.

For over 45-years, WorldFish's data, evidence, and insights have shaped practices, policies and investments to end hunger and advance sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries. We have a global presence across 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, with 460 staff of 30 nationalities deployed where the most significant sustainable development challenges can be addressed through holistic aquatic food systems solutions. Embedded in local, national, and international partnerships, our work sets agendas, builds capacities, and supports decision-making for climate action, food and nutrition security, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, blue economy, OneHealth, and AgriTech, integrating gender, youth, and social inclusion.

A core element of the 2030 WorldFish Research and Innovation Strategy: Aquatic Foods for Healthy People and Planet is focused on building the resilience of aquatic food systems to shocks, which is critical to COVID-19 response and recovery.

WorldFish is part of CGIAR, the world's largest agricultural research and innovation network. For more information, please visit https://www.worldfishcenter.org.

Background

Feed the Future Bangladesh Aquaculture and Nutrition Activity is a 5-year assistance awarded by USAID to WorldFish on February 6, 2018 and is expected to continue until November 30, 2023. The goal of Bangladesh Aquaculture and Nutrition Activity is to achieve inclusive aquaculture sector growth through a market system approach. BANA aims to sustainably improve the livelihoods of a large number of smallholder fish farmers and other aquaculture value chain actors, providing them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a growing market. The Activity takes a market systems approach where the emphasis is on facilitation rather than direct implementation. Activity staff identify critical underlying issues constraining the sector and encourage co-investment by private sector companies and NGOs through grants to address these issues. The Activity is being implemented through partners across 21 south-western districts and 2 south-eastern districts in Bangladesh.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The major objective of this assignment is to support the communications interventions by developing strategic communication products, capturing lessons learned, providing assistance to manage events and media coverage of the Aquaculture for the duration of contract.

Description of Assignment

1. Capturing lessons of the Aquaculture Activity

• Articulate stories as concrete evidence of market systems changes and success factors as a result of the Activity interventions.
• Ensure collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA) approach at various tiers of the aquaculture market including the market actors, market systems, services and private sector partners are captured.

2. Develop strategic communication products

• Create, publish, and distribute content for important interventions of the Activity.
• Create communications materials including IEC materials, strategic communication papers, press releases, brochures, presentations, newsletters, AV clips and articles.

3. Support to the special events and campaigns and programing of the Aquaculture Activity

• Support implementation of specific flagship events and campaigns scheduled during the period of contract.
• Initiate and implement Aquaculture Activity’s special events, with a view to reaching wider audiences.

4. Ensure Aquaculture Activity’s media exposure

• Organize communication initiatives with media partners
• Prepare briefing sessions and talking points as required
• Maintain press relationships for better coverage of the Aquaculture Activity.
• Identify and apply innovative opportunities, new communications tools and platforms, which can serve to highlight the work of the Aquaculture Activity.

Key Responsibilities

The Communications Consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of Party, in close collaboration with the Aquaculture Activity team. The Consultant will be responsible for capturing lessons, developing strategic communications products, ensuring media coverage, and organizing events for the Aquaculture Activity.

• Capturing lessons of the Aquaculture Activity
• Develop strategic communication products
• Support to the special events and campaigns and programing of the Aquaculture Activity
• Ensure Aquaculture Activity’s media exposure
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Deliverables

• Specific and clear one work plan developed in consultation with the Activity team.
• Timely reporting of day to day items/events
• Well organized events
• Quality and relevant communication materials and contents
• Capture lessons learning from the field and publish one book
• Ensure planned media coverage
• Assignments given by supervisor as and when required

Requirements

This consultancy opportunity is open for National Consultant with the following skills and qualifications:

• Minimum Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Social Science, English or other relevant subjects. Candidates’ with advanced degree will get preference.
• 7-10 years of experience in communications at international organization/s, including experience in media relations.
• Experience in implementing communication and publication strategies.
• Experience in on-line outreach, multimedia and web management.
• Experience in organizing and managing events.
• Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills, with proven ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience using office, and multimedia software packages.
• Having VAT registration number is mandatory.

Location and Duration

The successful consultant will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh with extensive field visit if requires. The selection of consultant will be based on the relevant qualification and experience and the most competitive proposal. The interviews are expected to be held in February 2023 and only shortlisted consultant will be notified and expected to attend the interview. The successful consultant should be available to commence the consultancy contract for a maximum of 100 days (approximately 12 days per month) working days tentatively from 19 March 2023 till 30 November, 2023.

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

WorldFish has seven offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment.

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. Our Leadership Team is 50/50 in terms of its gender split and 60% of our management cadre are women.

We continue to seek diversity and gender balance across other dimensions and we support individual performance and potential in achieving our organizational goals and mission.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage women and men from developing nations to apply.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online latest by 14 February 2023:

Apply Here

Screening will start immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.