Communication Consultant

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development. AKF (East Africa) has worked in the region by forming intellectual and financial partnerships, focusing on specific social and economic development problems in sectors that include civil society, health, education and rural development. With a small staff, a host of cooperating agencies and thousands of volunteers, AKF reaches out to vulnerable populations on four continents, irrespective of their race, religion, political persuasion or gender. AKF supports programming in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda that contributes to a better quality of life for hundreds of communities.

Objectives

The Aga Khan Foundation (East Africa) wishes to engage the services of a communications consultant to develop gender sensitive and responsive inter agency communication guidelines / toolsas part of a consultative process for the Strengthening Education Systems in East Africa (SESEA) project.

Objectives of the guidelines

Ultimate

To present SESEA as an effective example of inter-agency cooperation and a successful model in improving literacy and numeracy.

Intermediate

1. To stimulate and guide AKDN inter-agency communication relating to SESEA implementation.
2. To show-case and share success stories as well as communicate the relevance and results of SESEA to target audiences in East Africa.
3. To demonstrate the value and effectiveness of a long term, systems and regional approach to improving learning outcomes.

Objectives of the consultancy

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Director, the consultant will in consultation with SESEA implementing partners and the project coordinating unit (PCU):

1. Review consolidated feedback received from project implementing partners on the identified needs of communication guidelines:
2. Identify any gaps from the consolidated feedback and provide suitable recommendations to address the same and
3. Use the consolidated feedback from partners to develop the project inter agency communication guidelines / tools.

Background of the Project

SESEA aims to sustainably improve learning outcomes, with a particular focus on literacy and numeracy, for pre-primary and primary students in target areas of East Africa through the implementation of a scalable regional approach that strengthens teacher education, training and support systems. This approach aims to leverage assets of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) institutions to achieve broad, systematic, and distinctive impact on the quality of teaching in the region in both public and private education systems. Specifically, the project builds on the experience and gains made by various AKDN institutions working in the education sector in East Africa, including Aga Khan University – Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), Aga Khan Academies (AKA), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), and Aga Khan Foundation East Africa (AKF EA).

The project has three main components that are aligned with government priorities in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and donor priorities and address key elements of education systems that can influence learning outcomes. These components, which closely interrelate, include:

1. Professional development of educators;
2. Strengthening institutions and education support systems; and
3. Learning and partnerships.

It is estimated that the project will reach approximately 188,000 direct beneficiaries and 6,300 intermediary beneficiaries (51% of them women and girls). Beneficiaries include schoolchildren, pre-primary and primary educators, and other key members of the education support system such as head teachers and faculty from teacher training institutions.

Task of the Consultant

1. Selectively analyse existing project documents with a view to identify information gaps if any.
2. Review the consolidated project partners feedback on communication needs identifying any gaps that will require further follow up with the project partners;
3. Carry out consultations with AKDN agencies representative and the PCU and make an inventory of similar projects and communications tools developed by the partners,
4. Develop SESEA AKDN internal communication guideline according to an agreed format for the project, making sure to:
5. Identify key project stakeholders, their roles and how they relate to each other;
6. Identify key messages for each target audience;
7. Identify media products, platforms, documents etc. that the project will use to pass on information and with what frequency;
8. Identify specific needs in terms of communication : active or passive
9. Propose tools and media for linking SESEA target audiences to each of the communication means;

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

The consultant will be required to present:

1. Give a detailed report documenting the identified information gaps and a way forward in addressing the same.
2. A proposed inter agency communication guideline / tool.
3. Identify / recommend information sharing platforms and frequency of dissemination within the partnership
4. Coordinate development and production of external project communication products including but not limited to Project Information Brochure and Project Staff Fact Sheet for the SESEA project

Desired qualification and experience.

• Graduate degree in Media, Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience;
• In-depth knowledge of designing and implementing communication materials, tools, media report etc that are sensitive and responsive to gender;
• Ability to work collaboratively with, and lead negotiations and reach consensus among stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently and effectively within tight deadlines;
• Familiarity with development issues in East Africa and the education sector will be an added advantage.
• Very good written and proven documentation skills.

Consultancy Duration:30th March, 2015 to 30th June, 2015.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications including Cover Letter and CV should be submitted to: sesea@akfea.org on or before 24th March, 2014. Application should include proposed consultancy fee in USD per day and estimated total number of days required.