REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION METHOD) - LR-MOCI-379107-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Assignment Title: Hiring of Communications Specialist for the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project.
LR-MOCI-379107-CS-INDV

Procurement Method: Individual Consultant Selection Method 

Duration: 12 Months

Background 

The Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has received Financing from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of implementing the Liberia Investment, Trade & Finance Project (LIFT-P) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of the Financing towards payments under the contract for Hiring of Communications Specialist for the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project, under the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P).

The overall objective of the LIFT-P is to improve the investment climate, expand sustainable access to finance, and increase the efficiency of trade in Liberia and help formal MSMEs recover from the impact of the COVID-19. The LIFT-P is an explicit contributor to the FY19-FY24 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at www.moci.gov.lr, or through a written request to the emails below.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry now invites eligible Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are listed as per the Terms of References which links are provided above. 

The Consultant must have minimum qualifications and experiences as per the Terms of Reference.
The Consultants will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (INDV) method set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016 as Revised in November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020). 
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e., 0900 to 1600 hours GMT, Monday to Friday. 
Expressions of Interests must be delivered in written forms to the address below (in person, or by
mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) on or before Thursday September 14, 2023. Please indicate the assignment of your interest in your submission with subject: 
“Re: Hiring of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, Ref. No.: “(LR-MOCI-379106-CS-INDV)” or Hiring of Communications Specialist, Ref.  LR-MOCI-379107-CS-INDV” for the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project.

Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)
Attn: Mr. James Gayflor Quiqui 
Project Coordinator
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS) Ministerial Complex 
Congo Town
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: +231 777 240 201/775 654 713 
E-mail: jamesquiqui@gmail.com 
Cc: vanyanbah.julius@yahoo.com
 

Terms of Reference  

Background   
⦁    The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), has received a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) amount from the World Bank in preparation for the implementation of the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade (LIFT) Project: P171997 if approved. MOCI intends to recruit a Communication Specialist to work within the Project Implementation Unit to be established at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 
⦁    The overall objective of the LIFT-P is to improve the investment climate, expand sustainable access to finance, and increase the efficiency of trade in Liberia and help formal MSMEs recover from the impact of the COVID-19. 
⦁    The project supports a Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) framework for Liberia and its two pillars on which the outcomes sit: better market functioning and improved firm capabilities. In doing so, the project targets six of the ten-building block in this framework as a complement to other parallel activities under the Liberia CPF supporting macroeconomic management, infrastructure services, employment policy and human capital. The project takes account of the Government Recovery Program (GRP) project that seeks to support otherwise viable growth oriented private enterprises that were adversely impacted by the effects of the pandemic. As the mechanism for firm level support is structured, guardrails will be established to prevent adversely impacting financial discipline and commercial credit underwriting needed for a sustained recovery. At the same time, with various indicators highlighting access to finance as an issue, attention to expanding digital financial services (DFS) is needed. 
⦁    In addition to its contribution to the Jobs agenda, the Project design supports a range of IDA priorities including Gender, Climate, Governance, Fragility, Conflict & Violence and Maximizing Finance for Development (MFD). The project will ensure that women-oriented training and eligibility will be included in firm support and financial access component by deliberately incorporating, in the design of project activities, features that seek to address the identified gaps between men and women with respect to their participation in economic activity in the country, especially around differential constraints and performance between women-owned and men owned firms. These include the reforms to the business environment (e.g., registration, permits and access to finance), as well as activities to support SMEs and entrepreneurs. The project will monitor the extent to which activities are contributing toward closing gender gaps by measuring, among other things: (i) the number of women led MSMEs with a loan through the project; and (ii) the percentage of women that are covered by the credit registry. 
⦁    The Project will be implemented in all 15 counties of Liberia for the next 5 years. 

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK 
The LIFT-P is looking to recruit a Communication Specialist within the PIU who will be responsible for all Project communication related activities including the design of a communication and information management strategy aimed at increasing knowledge and information on Project activities and oversee its implementation. 
The Communication Specialist will lead the development of a system for documentation and manage the internal and external flow of information on activities under Liberia Investment Finance Trade Project (LIFT) and coordinate the communications functions with stakeholders. He or she will also provide technical assistance and build the capacity of staff within PIU and the Technical Implementing Agencies. 
He/she will manage the Communications activities of the project in compliance with: 
⦁    The Project Operation Manual (POM) for this project
⦁    The requirements of the Financing Agreement between the World Bank and the Government of Liberia 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Communication Specialist will undertake the following activities:
⦁    Develop and implement a communication strategy to improve internal and external communication and public relations.
⦁    Develop enhanced ways of ensuring effective information flow between the PIU, TIMAs, World Bank and other stakeholders including the Project beneficiary communities. 
⦁    Develop innovative ways of communication and learning about the project, including through the use of digital media.
⦁    Contribute to the conceptualization and production of communications materials for various activities and events of the Project.
⦁    Assist operational colleagues to integrate communication methods and tools in all focal areas of the project’s work.
⦁    Lead in the planning and development of the project’s publications including drafting and editing for printed publications, the internet and audio-visual productions.
⦁    Support management and colleagues in drafting targeted messages, media releases and general communications for key stakeholders
⦁    Support colleagues in effective analysis of information and communication needs, with a view to channel them to appropriate media.
⦁    Ensure high quality documents and files (substance and presentation) by reviewing publication.
⦁    Provide creative/innovative solutions for managing and communicating negative feedback on the project from stakeholders.
⦁    Ensure quality control of communications material and messages on the Project.
⦁    Implement knowledge management by commissioning, writing, editing and distributing publications to inform external audience. These include websites, brochures, the annual report and other communication materials as required.
⦁    Carry out ongoing communications capacity building/ coaching for staff across TIMAs and other identified stakeholders.
⦁    Manage translation of key documents where needed.
⦁    Act as first point of contact for communication enquiries about the project.
⦁    Conduct stakeholder analysis to define communication roles of major stakeholders of the project.
⦁    Establish and manage project website and social media platforms
 
Key Deliverables:
⦁    Communications strategy and implementation plan
⦁    Set communications performance targets/benchmarks of beneficiary institutions
⦁    Communication contribution to the consolidated project performance reports
⦁    Special reports on public education and communication on the project
⦁    Monthly communication implementation progress reports 
⦁    Annual and quarterly work plan 
 
QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES

⦁    Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations or a related field
⦁    A minimum of 5 to 10 years of similar work experience is required in communications strategy development.  Media experience is an added advantage.
⦁    Works well under pressure and meets tight deadlines.
⦁    Highly computer literate with capability in email, MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and related business and communication tools.
⦁    Content writing experience for all media platforms.
⦁    Proven experience as communications specialist, ability to plan, design and implement communication products and activities (such as print and electronic media products, workshops, stakeholder meetings, focus group discussions, etc.)
⦁    Understanding of project management principles.
⦁    Excellent writing and presentation skills in English; demonstrated interpersonal and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and to present ideas clearly and effectively, proven ability to work in a collaborative and multi-stakeholder team environment.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLEIET  
The Communications Specialist will be assigned in the Project Implementation Unit of the LIFT Project and all facilities or benefits to other staff will be provided by him/her.