Project Background

The Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNIDO. The project aims to support the Government of Sindh (GoS) in implementing its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). One of the focused areas of PAIDAR is infrastructure improvements in five districts: Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a United States-based international humanitarian agency working in over 100 countries. CRS’ mission includes saving, protecting, and transforming lives through relief and development efforts across sectors such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, and more. In Pakistan, CRS has been operational since 1954, with projects focusing on emergency response, food security, education, and disaster risk reduction.

Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF), the government entity established to reconstruct the 2.1 million houses in Sindh, has collaborated with the PAIDAR programme to support the targeted improvements of basic infrastructure in pre-identified villages within selected districts of Sindh province, for four districts Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, and Tharparkar.  SPHF (with technical assistance of CRS) is developing Climate Resilient Settlement Development Plan (CRSDP) for PAIDAR programme in four districts, providing technical assistance for data collection, assessment, and analysis. CRS will engage and hire the required human resources, arrange the administrations, logistics and consultancy services and conduct orientations and trainings for accurate data collection, assessment, and analysis.

Objective and Responsibilities

The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance the visibility and impact of Climate Resilient Settlement Development Plan (CRSDP) in 04 districts (Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Tharparkar) through effective communication strategies, ensuring key messages are conveyed clearly to target audiences.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with project goals and objectives.
• Identify target audiences and tailor messaging to effectively reach and engage them.
• Create high-quality content for various platforms, including press releases, articles, social media posts, newsletters, and project reports.
• Ensure all content adheres to branding guidelines and maintains a consistent tone and style.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and national media outlets.
• Draft press releases and manage media inquiries, coordinating interviews and events as needed.
• Oversee the project’s social media presence, including content planning, scheduling, and monitoring engagement.
• Facilitate communication between project stakeholders, including partners, beneficiaries, and community members.
• Organize and lead communication workshops to build capacity among project staff and stakeholders.
• Develop metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts, providing regular reports on performance and recommendations for improvement.
• Gather feedback from stakeholders to continuously refine communication strategies.
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Deliverables

1. A comprehensive strategy outlining communication goals, target audiences, key messages, and tactics.
2. A monthly content calendar detailing planned communications across various platforms.
3. A series of press releases and articles promoting key project milestones, initiatives, or events.
4. Monthly reports analyzing social media engagement, reach, and effectiveness of campaigns.
5. Summaries of workshops conducted, including participant feedback and outcomes.
6. A final report consolidating all communication activities, metrics, and recommendations for future efforts.

Reporting relationships

The Communication Specialist will report and work closely with the Program Manager who will lead and supervise the project. They will also have working relationships with the National Coordinator, Technical Advisor or any other responsible project staff. During the assignment, organization will provide transport to/from field.

Duration of contract

Contract duration for the assignment will be approximately 03 months and duration may increase or decrease depending upon the completion of task.

Required Competencies, Experience and Qualification

Personal Qualities

• Must be reliable and committed to fulfilling assignments with high level of professionalism.
• Must be able to work independently as well as within a team environment.
• Ability and willingness to work long hours and sometimes in adverse field conditions.
• Must be proactive and able to “think on your feet”.
• Highly punctual, organized, and flexible.
• Able to follow guidance provided by supervisors/managers.
• Must be conversant with basic social research ethics and be able to apply them in the field
• Must show respect and non-judgmental attitude towards respondents’ ideas, cultural values, and traditions.
• Must always show sober behavior they are required to perform duties.
• Must be able to assure confidentiality of respondents’ personal information.
• Able to build rapport with respondents to ensure that they remain motivated and interested in answering questions truthfully.
• Understandable knowledge of English
• Proven experience in communication strategy development and implementation.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Proficiency in social media management and digital communication tools.

Education

• University level master’s in communications, public relations, or a related field from any recognized University with 3-4 years of experience.

Experience and Qualifications requirements:

• 3-4 years previous work experience on same assignment.
• Have working knowledge advance technologies.
• Must have in-depth questioning, active listening and reporting skills.
• Must have delivered similar projects before and Submit proof of completion
• Attachments of similar reports.