Public Consultations, outreach and Communications Specialist – Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Senior Public Consultations, Outreach and Communications Specialist

1. Description of the post

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs invites applicants who are citizens of Somalia for the following consultancy position:

Consultancy Title:                            Public Consultations, outreach and Communications Specialist

Supervisor:                                       The Permanent Secretary/ Director of the Constitution Department

Job Category:                                  Individual Consultant (IC)

Duty Station:                                   Mogadishu, Somalia

Opening Application Date:           18th May 2024

Closing Application Date:              25^th May 2024

 Background

The Federal Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) mandate is to facilitate the creation of enabling conditions that would ensure the effective implementation of the constitutional review and implementation process. Its role therefore includes promoting and facilitating political and public consultations on the review process with the Joint Oversight Committee of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission, Federal Member States, political, social, and cultural groups, and the Somali people in general to create an open, transparent, and inclusive constitutional review process.

The Constitutional Review and Implementation Support Project, endorsed in February 2024, supported the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in formulating the finalization of the constitution review process. The constitutional support Project will support the activities that are required to take place to ensure an inclusive consultative process is in place to endorse and adopt the joint work plan of the three institutions. During the project period, the MOJCA will hold extensive consultations with key role players and stakeholders that provide the current phase of constitutional review with the required legitimacy.

The Constitutional Review Support Project is designed to provide responsive support to the constitution-making bodies, particularly to the activities of MoJCA; and support for public education and consultation, particularly envisaging the inclusion of women, youth, minorities, and other marginalized people. The projects envisaged in the MoJCA, OC, and ICRIC joint work Plan, especially with regard to consultative processes and civic education, are considered important entry points for respective Project activities.

The overall objective of the assignment will be to provide expert advice to the ministry with a detailed analysis of the constitutional and corresponding legal required amendments, existing legal frameworks, and drafting laws and policies that will contribute to the finalization of the constitutional review process. The consultant will ensure that the function outlined below, and the scope of work is satisfactorily carried out.

3. Scope of Work

The Consultations, Communications, Media, and Public Awareness Specialist will provide technical support and guidance to the ministry in the areas of managing our external and internal communications, dissemination of information and collection of public views into the constitutional review process. He or /She is also expected to provide advisory support for public consultation and outreach activities. The consultant is anticipated to enhance the engagement of a wide range of public including civil society, academics and private sector to maximize the impact of communications strategies to increase public awareness on constitutional review process and achievement of the multiyear work Plan and support for the technical drafting of the constitutional text. He or /She will be responsible for the overall quality and timely submission of the activity report and deliverables to the ministry.

4. Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a strategy and communication plan for raising public knowledge and awareness on constitutional review process (goals, messages, methods and volume) that targets TV, radio, press, and internet.
• Develop relevant communication materials, including for youth and women in cooperation with a designer (clips, brochures, banners, posters, etc.), organize their production and facilitate the dissemination all over the country.
• Advises and provides high-quality substantive support to the Ministry on generating media coverage of constitutional issues, including supervising the production of editorial content and provides quality assurance;
• Build partnerships with a wide range of media alliances and both local and international media, including corporate contacts of individuals, groups, organizations and media outlets.
• Organize media coverage of constitutional review activities/events (workshops, seminars, round-tables and presentations) as well as preparation of press-releases, statements and media-kits where required;
• Identifies innovative opportunities and new communications tools and platforms which can serve to highlight the constitutional work of Government.
• Oversees the production of a range of communications materials for the Ministry and the Joint Civic Education Steering Committee, including managing the website;
• Support to the development of an Outreach Plan, which prioritizes transparency and focus on outreach to marginalized groups, women and youth, persons with disabilities and IDPs.
• Strengthens quality assurance in all communications related work and activities for the Joint Civic Education Steering Committee.
• Keep abreast of other national bodies engaged in the constitutional review process to look for possible synergies in implementation of the public consultations, communication and public awareness component.
• Create contacts database of all stakeholders participating in Constitutional Review Outreach activities to ensure effective follow-up.
• Perform other duties related to the scope of work of Communications, Media and Public Awareness Specialist as required
• Conduct research on constitutional issues as necessary, and make recommendations for action to the Minster as appropriate;
• Liaise and consult with the federal parliament and other stakeholders and civil society on key constitutional legislation as necessary;
• Prepare analytical and information documents upon request;

 

5. Institutional Arrangement

The consultation, Communications, Media and Public Awareness Specialist will work in close collaboration with the MoJCA staff and consultants, under the supervision of Director of constitution of the ministry, Constitutional Review Support Project. Achievement of Deliverables will be approved by both the Director, the Permanent secretory of the ministry and UNDP.

Payment will be made upon certification by supervisor including time sheets for actual dates of work and consultant performance in accordance with activities and deliverables as reported in the Activity Report and agreed by UNDP.

 Duration of Work

Contract is for three (3) months from the period of June to August 31^st 2024.

7. Qualifications and Professional Experience

Consultant shall be a specialist in fields of relevance to governance in conflict countries and should have an understanding of the Somali context as well in issues of related to constitutional review and development, rule of law and security in conflict societies. The main areas of expertise should be: Institutional capacity building, gender mainstreaming; organizational structure, human resources and capacity development strategies.

The qualifications and experience needed for the assignment are as follows:

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, international relations, mass media or related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience with a proven professional record in working in the field of media and communications.
• Experience in national or international level, public relations, and online communications platforms.
• Experience in the usage of media technology, social media for public information, advocacy and good knowledge and experience in handling a web-based management systems.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective communications and media strategies.
• Proven ability to position issues effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Excellency in Somali and English (written and oral) is mandatory.

8. Required Skills

• Ethics and Values: Promoting Ethics and Integrity/Creating Organizational Precedents;
• Organizational Awareness: Building support and political acumen;
• Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan strategic direction and ability to organize and service intergovernmental bodies and international technical meetings;
• Developing and Empowering People / coaching and mentoring: Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation.
• Working in Teams: Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling and collaborative work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
• Ability to produce a wide range of communications support, including infographics, presentations, videos, and layouts for both web and print.
• Communicating Information and Ideas: Creating and promoting an enabling environment for open communication.
• Conflict Management/Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Leveraging conflict in the interests of the organization & setting standards. Ability to interact and negotiate with high-level government officials are required.

9. How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV along with their application letter and passport-size photograph via e-mail to hr@moj.gov.so no later than 25th May 2024 only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.