ECOWAS Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) is mandated to "ensure the technical implementation of regional investment programmes and plans that contribute to the operationalization of regional agricultural policy, drawing on institutions, agencies and regional actors with proven competences." It functions as a specialized technical structure, delegated project and program management for ECOWAP/PDDAA. ARAA currently coordinates the implementation of 13 regional projects and programs. Of these projects 5 projects namely the Programme for Support for Food and Nutritional Security (PASANAO) co-financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) and ECOWAS, the ECOWAP/PDDAA support project on social safety nets co-financed by ECOWAS and Spanish Cooperation, Agroecological Transition Support Project funded by AFD, the Global Alliance Project for Climate Change, funded by the European Union and the Regional Programme for the Marketing of Livestock and Meat in West Africa (PACBAO) funded by the Swiss Confederation, funded land projects from calls for proposals

From 2015 till date, the Agency has selected 68 projects through 8 calls for proposals, including 19 as part of the social safety net project funded by the Spanish Cooperation. These are pilot projects whose funding is expected to lead to the scaling up of major programs both nationally and regionally.

The implementation of social safety net projects has resulted in gains in four areas of concentration:

• Food distribution, child development and access to basic social services to break the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty: nutrition, health and child education.
• Development of the main source of income and food security of vulnerable rural households: agricultural production systems and adaptation of social nets to the context of agropastoralism.
• Strengthening the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable rural households in preventing food shocks and crises and climatic hazards.
• Development and experimentation of targeting methods in the identification of chronically poor populations.

As a reminder, Social Safety Nets are social assistance programs for cash or in-kind donations that combine a set of free services.

The results of these projects were funded through technical reports, capitalization files and Policy briefs.

In order to meet this need, a communicative capitalization for better visibility on a large scale is Considered.

The Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food wants to recruit a consultant to provide communications capitalization services.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The consultant will be under the responsibility of the Head of Technical Operations Division ARAA and the direct collaboration of ARAA's Advocacy and Communications Officer for the completion of this mission. He will be responsible for:

• Production of communication elements for visibility into the project's achievements.
• Translation of capitalization documents into simple communication elements.
• Analysis and proposal of effective means to ensure visibility of the achievements of field projects.
• Production of capitalising and communication documents on the project.
• Ensure the production, editing and printing of visibility media.

Qualifications / Experiences

• Have a university degree (at least a bachelor's degree) in communication, sociology, agronomy, or any other relevant related discipline, with a solid knowledge of capitalization.
• Have at least 5 years of relevant experience in information management, capitalization and communication of development projects.

Skills

• Have a good track of experience in capitalizing and disseminating the achievements of development projects,
• To justify experience in developing communication tools to increase the visibility of development projects, strategy or organisation,
• Mastering the techniques of participatory communication and information gathering,
• Have experience in the development of communication documents,
• To justify experience working with projects or NGOs in rural areas, as experience with an international organisation is an asset,
• Master the computer tool: software like Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.
• Mastering the use of digital cameras for photos and videos,
• Mastering the use of social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter),
• Being able to write clear and accurate activity reports capitalizing on the experiences and lessons learned,
• Have very good writing skills (press releases, press articles, other content), having a knowledge of graphic design is an asset.
• Have the capacity to work in a multicultural environment like ECOWAS.

Language

Having mastered one of ECOWAS' three working languages (English, French, Portuguese) is required. A good linguistic (written and oral) knowledge of a second working language of the Commission would be an asset.

Location, Duration and Start of Mission

The consultant will be based in Lomé, Togo, at the headquarters of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food. The mission will start within 7 days of signing the intellectual service contract for a period of 6 months.

Nominations file

The application file consists of:

• A letter of expression of interest, including the time of availability;
• A recent resume detailing work experience and similar assignments;
• Three professional references (names and surnames, current functions, functions at the time of collaboration with the Consultant, email and telephone contacts)
• Copy of the highest degree (at least 4 years) in communication, sociology, agronomy, or any other relevant related discipline, with solid knowledge of capitalization;
• Copy of the work or service certificates rendered, listed in the resume.

NB: Any incomplete file will be rejected.

NB: Applications that do not include "Consultant, Communication Assistant/ARAA" will not be considered.

Selection method

The consultant will be selected using the qualification-based selection method as defined in the ECOWAS Public Procurement Code. An interview session will be organized on the basis of a short list of short-listed consultants.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.  ARAA reserves the right not to act on this expression of interest.

How to Apply

Applications are received by July 24, 2020 at 4:00 PM GMT, by hand or email filings at the following addresses:

• Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), 83, Rue de la Pâture, Lomé, Togo (in a closed folder bearing the title or name: « Consultant, Communication Assistant /ARAA »)
• Email :procurement.consultants@araa.org
• Subject : « Consultant, Communication Assistant /ARAA »