Terms of Reference Communications Specialist in the Project ...

Government of Antigua and BarbudaPublic and Social Sector Transformation ProjectProject Preparation Advance (P4650-001)Terms of ReferenceCommunications Specialist for Public and Social Sector Transformation1.0 BACKGROUND1.1 As of 20 th April 2012, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda signed with the WorldBank a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) No. P4650-001 for the amount of US$980,000(nine hundred eighty thousand dollars) for the preparation of proposed Public and SocialSector Transformation (PSST) Project. The goal of the activities is to facilitate thepreparation of a proposed project designed to: (i) strengthen the management of the publicsector and make more efficient use of its human resources; (ii) enhance the governmentcapacity to develop coherent and efficient social sector policies and interventions on the basisof evidence; and (iii) strengthen and increase the coverage of intermediation services andcompetency-based training programs to enhance its effectiveness in increasing the ability ofadults of 18 years and older to find and maintain a job. The PPA consists of three parts: i)Part A: Public Sector Transformation; ii) Part B: Social Protection and Labour and; iii) PartC: Establishing of a Project Management Unit.1.2 The overarching goal of the public sector modernisation agenda is improving theeffectiveness and efficiency of the public sector through:(a) Regularising and modernising public sector administration and management(revising legislation, regulations and policies);(b) Effective management of the cost of government employment;(c) Restructuring government organisations with the aim to streamline the structuresand employment based on the review of current functions and programmes;(d) Introducing best-fit practices in public service (human resources) management,such as job-skill fit, recruitment and selection, performance management,succession management and data management ;(e) Strengthening focus on policy development through supporting the decisionmakingat the policy design and management level; and(f) Improving budget management effectiveness.2.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENTThroughout the life of the PSST Project, the Government desires to engage the services of aCommunications Specialist to lead its communications agenda. The objective of theassignment is therefore to promote and advocate the modernisation agenda to get buy-in andWorld Bank-Funded PSST Project TOR Communications Specialist 4 March 2013 1

support from the public service, and to keep the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda informed onprogress with the transformation agenda.3.0 SCOPE OF WORKThis consultancy will contract a Communications Specialist who will be responsible for allaspects of strategic communications for the GOAB’s public sector modernisation agenda. Heor she will design and carry out a communications strategy using tools, messages and othertechniques to build broad support from the internal and external constituents.4.0 DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKSThe Communications Specialist is expected to perform the following:(a) Be responsible for implementing and evaluating a communications strategic plan;(b) Review relevant reports, plans and strategies that pertain to public and socialsector transformation;(c) Review reports and plans designed to support Government’s initiative foreconomic and social development;(d) Determine the types of information and communications activities that are bestsuited to addressing issues or problems and identifies relevant informationsources;(e) Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify the right stakeholders and to ensurestakeholders participate in appropriate and effective ways;(f) Conduct public opinion research and assessment of public attitudes and keystakeholders on issues related to public and social sector transformation in generaland the PSST Project in particular;(g) Continuously assess public servants’ understanding and perception of publicsector modernisation generally, and the PSST Project, National Poverty ReductionStrategy, Pubic Sector Transformation Strategy and other reform initiatives inparticular;(h) Assess the quality of media reports on public and social sector transformationgenerally, and the PSST Project, Pubic Sector Transformation Strategy, NationalPoverty Reduction Strategy and other reform initiatives in particular;(i) Advises the key project stakeholders, the Project Coordinator and other membersof the PMU on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstancesin the public service that may impact the project, and helps to determineappropriate strategic responses to address them.(j) Participate in World Bank missions and other meetings to assess theimplementation progress of the PSST project.World Bank-Funded PSST Project TOR Communications Specialist 4 March 2013 2

The Communications Specialist will carry out his or her duties and responsibilities under thegeneral direction of the Project Coordinator, Project Management Unit (PMU) incollaboration with Director, Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU), the ChiefEstablishment Officer, Establishment Department, the Director, Social Policy, Research andPlanning Department, and the Technical Coordinator, Labour Department.5.0 DELIVERABLESThe Communications Specialist will be responsible for delivering the following:(a) A report on a stakeholder analysis that identifies potential and currentstakeholders, and includes a stakeholder map, mechanisms for managingstakeholders and recommendations for ways they can participate in the changeinitiatives;(b) A workshop to present the findings from the stakeholder analysis to a select groupof key government officials and the PMU;(c) A communications strategy and communications plan that set out a clearframework for communication activities and allocate roles, tasks and goals toindividual members of the implementation teams. The strategy should serve as aguiding document throughout the Project’s lifecycle including information onobjectives, audiences, messages, tools and activities, resources, timescales. Itshould also elaborate an approach for evaluating and amending the strategy andplan;(d) A variety of advocacy and educational material to inform and empowerconstituents;(e) Reports on results of public opinion research and assessment of public attitudesand key stakeholders on issues related to public and social sector transformation ingeneral and the PSST Project in particular;(f) Briefs on the public’s understanding and perceptions of public and social sectortransformation and the strategies to manage such perceptions;(g) A media monitoring mechanism and regular reports;(h) Presentations to the Cabinet on the status of stakeholder buy-in, understanding,and perceptions and the public’s attitude and reactions to public and social sectortransformation.6.0 CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONSThe assignment can be implemented by a consultant with the following competences,qualifications, and experience:6.1 Knowledge, skills and abilitiesWorld Bank-Funded PSST Project TOR Communications Specialist 4 March 2013 3

(a) Thorough knowledge of and practical experience in a full range of communicationsapproaches, tools and methodologies essential to planning, executing, and monitoringcommunications strategies e.g., media operations, social marketing, opinion research,audience outreach, message targeting, and so on;(b) In-depth knowledge of Antigua and Barbuda’s social, political and developmentissues with strong current knowledge of key constituencies, their operations, policies,practices and priorities;(c) Knowledge of the Caribbean context, integration regimes and key institutions;(d) Familiarity with the Westminster style of Government;(e) Proven planning and organisational skills. Strong conceptual and research/analyticalskills, with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyse and integrate diverseinformation from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;(f) Ability to plan and successfully implement a comprehensive communicationsprogramme in support of defined objectives;(g) Exceptional ability to write and edit for a wide range of communication products aswell as for the Internet, with experience conveying complex ideas in a clear, directand lively, (non-academic) style;(h) Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitivesituations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive clientrelationships/partnerships;(i) Effective interpersonal skills; proven experience in working both as a leader and amember of the team;(j) Excellent oral and written communication and presentational skills. Spoken andwritten fluency required in English;(k) Strong computer skills; ability to use common software packages, e.g., MicrosoftWord, PowerPoint, Excel, as well as the Internet.6.2 Education and Experience(a) Masters degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or other related fields, and(b) At least five years practicing as a communications specialist; or(c) At least three years’ experience with communicating to effect change generally; or(d) At least two years’ experience at a senior communications role in a public sectorenvironment;7.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTSThe Communication Specialist will report directly to Project Coordinator, PMU.8.0 DURATIONWorld Bank-Funded PSST Project TOR Communications Specialist 4 March 2013 4

The Communication Specialist’s assignment will be of six (6) months duration beginningApril 2013 renewable for a longer period based on performance in the initial period. TheCommunication Specialist is required to be on the job full-time and report to work on a dailybasis. He or she will be physically located in the PMU, but would be required to move aroundwhile working with the key project stakeholders.9.0 PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTSThe Consultant will receive identical and consecutive monthly payments during the period ofthe contract, and which would be linked to specific outputs.Interested persons should submit their Curricula Vitae together with a financial proposal forwork to be undertaken by March 20, 2013, addressed as follows:RE: Communication Specialist – Project Management UnitProcurement Specialist, Public and Social Sector Transformation ProjectMinistry of Finance, the Economy and Public AdministrationParliament DriveSt. John’sAntiguaE-mail: psstpmu@gmail.comWorld Bank-Funded PSST Project TOR Communications Specialist 4 March 2013 5