Engagement of a Lead Communications Consultant

Terms of Reference 

Engagement of a Lead Communications Consultant

Background

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the way the world deals with conflict. Operating in over 33 countries, Search uses innovative approaches to build sustainable peace by fostering collaboration, dialogue, and understanding among communities.

To enhance the visibility and impact of its peacebuilding work in Nigeria, Search seeks a Communications Consultant to develop high-quality multimedia communication assets that effectively publicize its initiatives and engage key stakeholders, including donor organizations and community partners.

Objectives of the Assignment

The Communications Consultant will support Search’s efforts by creating multimedia content that highlights the organization’s peacebuilding achievements and raises public awareness of its activities across selected projects.

• The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Develop creative graphics for social media with tailored key messages.
• Data visualization and designing infographics
• Produce short video clips suitable for social media and web/digital platforms.
• Design Success Stories booklets and Photobooks showcasing Search’s work on specific projects.

• Use digital storytelling techniques to communicate messages of conflict transformation, collaboration, and trust-building.
• Highlight Search’s thematic areas through culturally sensitive and engaging content.

• Ensure all materials adhere to Search’s and donor’s branding guidelines.
• Integrate the organization’s mission and vision into all produced content.

• Collaborate with the Communications Coordinator to develop multimedia materials for peace campaigns aimed at raising awareness of Search’s project objectives.
• Ensure multimedia content complies with data protection protocols, including obtaining informed consent from stakeholders and participants for all media use.

• The Consultant is expected to deliver:
• High-quality multimedia products such as infographics, success story booklets, short video, edited photos, graphics etc) for various platforms, designed/produced to challenge stereotypes and social behavioral change messages.
• Web-ready video formats.
• All necessary production equipment and personnel to support content creation.
• Compliance with ‘Do No Harm’ principles and alignment with approved scripts.
• Professional action photographs for Search’s photo library.
• Maintain a database of all multimedia products for easy access 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Digital Media, or related fields.
• Significant experience in multimedia content production/design with a portfolio showcasing relevant work.
• Proficiency in multimedia production and editing software (e.g., Adobe Design Suite, Camtasia, Canva, CorelDRAW).
• Strong understanding of traditional and social media platforms for advocacy and awareness-raising.
• Knowledge of local languages, including Hausa, Fulfulde, and Pidgin, is an advantage.
• Knowledge of working in the development or humanitarian sector

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Creative writing, photography, and public speaking skills.
• Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work within diverse, multicultural teams.

• The assignment will commence as agreed upon with the scope of work signed with work primarily conducted in Abuja and other field offices.

• Relevance and quality of the proposed methodology.
• Conflict sensitivity approaches and adherence to ‘Do No Harm’ principles.
• Candidate qualifications and experience.
• Feasibility of proposed budget and timeline.

• The Consultants will report to the Communications Coordinator and work closely with the Media Specialist. Regular progress meetings will be held to ensure alignment and address any challenges.

• Payment will be made in installments based on the achievement of agreed-upon deliverables and upon submission of reports.

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and the full range of stakeholders available during the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
• Respect for people: Consultants respect the security, dignity, and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity.
• In addition, the consultant will respect SFCG’s evaluations standards, be found in SFCG’s evaluation guidelines :https://www.sfcg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SFCG-External-Evaluation-Guidelines-FINAL.pdf
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