Consultancy for Communication Specialist to Develop High Quality Communication Outputs for Hanaano Programme.

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Concern Worldwide is an international non-governmental humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries

Background and context

Concern Worldwide and local partners the Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA) in Kenya, Pastoralist Concern in Ethiopia, and Lifeline Gedo in Somalia are implementing the Hanaano Programme with funding from Irish Aid (June 2024 – December 2026). ‘Hanaano’ means ‘to nurture’ in Somali language. The programme integrates livelihoods, WASH, natural resource management, social and behaviour change and gender equality and conflict sensitivity approaches to reduce the prevalence of child wasting in agro-pastoral communities. Target communities span the cross-border areas of Mandera County (Banisa, Mandera East or Mandera North Sub-counties) of Kenya, the Somali Region of Ethiopia (Dolo Ado and Dolo Bay Woredas), and Gedo Region of Somalia (Belet Hawa and Dollow Districts). Key partners include national and local government authorities, Tufts University as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Purpose of the Consultancy

Consultancy draw down basis to create high-quality communications outputs. These will serve internal and external stakeholders, build visibility, and share learnings across media platforms. Provide support the Hanaano Programme on several key deliverables from August and November 2025. The consultant will work on a case-by-case basis, responding to specific communication needs as they arise.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

Written Content

• Produce and design monthly newsletters (digital format) highlighting project activities and community impact.

• Draft press releases for media and donor dissemination tied to key programme milestones.

• Develop feature articles, human-interest stories, and opinion pieces for national/regional media and internal channels.

• Create technical briefs based on programme research, evaluations, or sectoral results (e.g., nutrition, gender, livelihoods).

• Draft website content including country pages, blog posts, and thematic content related to resilience and nutrition.

Visual and Multimedia Content

• Plan and produce short videos (1–3 minutes) to be used on social media and websites (testimonials, project snapshots, field activities).

• Coordinate with field teams to gather quality photos, captions, and video snippets from project sites.

• Create social media toolkits with visuals, hashtags, and sample posts for use by partners and stakeholders.

Support and Collaboration

• Liaise closely with technical advisors (nutrition, gender, livelihoods, MEAL) to ensure accuracy and relevance.

• Respond to ad hoc communications needs and requests from the PMU, HQ or donors.

• Ensure messaging is aligned with programme values (gender-sensitive, inclusive, locally grounded).

Expected Deliverables of the Consultancy

The exact number of outputs will depend on requests from the programme team and available drawdown days. Possible deliverables include:

1. Newsletters - up to 3 editions

2. Press Releases 4-6

3. Technical Briefs 2-4

4. Articles/Case Studies 4-6

5. Short Videos 6-10 (with simple editing, subtitles, titles)

6. Social Media Tool Kits 3-4

7. Web Copy Updates – As needed

Timeframe

The consultancy is remote and will take place between 25th August 2025, and 30th November 2025.

Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualifications

• Proven experience in communications for development, preferably in the humanitarian, nutrition, or resilience sectors.

• Strong writing and editing skills for diverse audiences (journalistic, donor-focused, technical).

• Experience producing short-form video content using basic editing tools (e.g., CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, Canva).

• Strong understanding of the Mandera Triangle context or similar cross-border, fragile environments.

• Ability to work independently and on a flexible schedule, responding to drawdown requests.

• Knowledge of ethical storytelling, safeguarding, and informed consent protocols.

Working conditions

The consultant will work under the supervision of Concern’s Hanaano Programme Management Unit Director and will work closely with the Concern country (Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia) and partner teams.

Duty station will be home based.

For any travel outside of the consultant’s duty location, Concern will:

• Book flights and accommodation and cover the cost of these

• Provide transport to/from airport / work locations in destination location

Remuneration/Payment

The fee will be paid monthly against invoices issued by the Consultant, supported with activity report for the month of work completed and status of work which is on-going. Subject to withholding taxes. (5% withholding tax & 16% VAT where applicable for residents); (20% withholding tax & 16% reverse VAT for non-residents).

The location of the consultancy is flexible; however, the consultant is liable for any tax obligations in their home country.

Security

It is a requirement that the consultant will comply with [Kenya] security policy and in-country security procedures. Failing to comply will result in immediate termination of contract.

Required documentation with your proposal:

1. Company / Consultant profile

2. Certificate of Incorporation (firms) or National ID card (individual)

3. Valid Tax Compliance Certificate

4. PIN Certificate

5. Company / Consultant’s Profile

6. Certificate/reference information of previous undertakings of similar contracts with

7. NGOs/UN agencies

8. Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct etc. or what are the necessary provisions have you put in place to keep everyone safe in the course of your engagement

9. Attach copy of Certificate of Good Conduct or proof that you have applied for the same

10. One page profile explaining your suitability for the consultancy. Include Portfolio or links to previous communications outputs (written and multimedia)

11. An up-to-date CV detailing relevant experience

12. A proposed daily rate inclusive of all costs. Should be presented in Kenya Shillings and ensure you indicate VAT and 5% withholding tax where applicable.

13. Availability for the period of the consultancy

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their proposals by email to; Consultancies.Kenya@concern.net With the subject line “SR111668 – Consultancy for Communication Specialist for Hanaano Programme in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.” by 4:00pm on 21st July 2025.

Concern Code of Conduct and associated policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies.