Position: Communication Specialist
Jamhuuriyada Somaliland
Government of Somaliland
WasaaraddaWaxbarashada
Ministry of Education
Iyo Sayniska
and Science
Position: Communication Specialist
(Individual Selection of Consultant)
Terms of Reference
Post Title
Communication Specialist
Project Title:
Somalia Empowering Women through
Education and Skills (Raja Kaaba) Project.
Somalia Education for Human Capital
Development (SEHCD) Project.
Reference:
Country:
Government of Somaliland
Type of Appointment:
Individual
Contract duration:
One Year
Duty Station:
Hargeisa (Somaliland), Ministry of Education
and Science, and is required to travel to
Project Regions and Districts.
Reporting to:
Report on a day-to-day basis to the PIU
Coordinator.
Submission Deadline:
17-May-2025
A. BACKGROUND
1) Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills “Raja Kaaba”
The Somalia Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) in partnership with World Bank is
currently implementing the Somaliland Empowering Women Through Education and Skills
(Raja Kaaba) Project. Approved on June 27, 2022, the project aims to empower girls and
women (age 15-35 years) through enhanced literacy and numeracy skills, skills for income
generation, and skills for leadership. The project is supporting expanded provision of second
chance education and skills training in priority sectors and increased uptake and completion of
higher education degrees in targeted vocations. The project spans interventions across the non
formal education, vocational education of the MoES, and in collaboration with the Commission
of higher education in Somaliland.
There are three project components:
- Component 1: Skills for Life and Labor Market
- Component 2: Higher Skills Development for Women’s Leadership- Component 3: Technical Assistance and Project Management
2) Somalia Education for Human Capital Development
The Somalia Education for Human Capital Development (SEHCD) Project in Somaliland, aims
to increase access to primary education in underserved areas, with a focus on girls, and to
improve quality of instruction. The Project will consist of the expansion of access to quality
schooling for the disadvantaged (Component 2) and project management (Component 4).
The Communication Specialist position will be a full-time contracted staff position, assigned
to the project through the PIU of MoES, Somaliland. The Communication Specialist will be
responsible for developing a comprehensive project communication strategy and plan and
providing Project information to all key stakeholder groups and project beneficiaries. The
Communications Specialist will collaborate with the Project Coordinator at the MoES to
develop communication and dissemination strategies, as well as ensure close collaboration with
the relevant internal and external stakeholders.
B. SCOPE OF WORK/JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the communication specialist is responsible for
developing a comprehensive project communication strategy and plan, providing regular and
timely analysis and distribution of project information to all key stakeholder groups and project
beneficiaries. Producing communication materials.
The Communications Specialist is expected to perform the following responsibilities tasks:
Working closely with the PIU project coordinator, the communication specialist will
develop a communication strategy to support all project activities and engage project
beneficiaries to feedback their concerns. This should include communication objectives,
the key messages, stakeholders, audience, project activities, channels, timelines, budget and
KPIs.
Review, amend and make necessary alterations to the Communication Action Plan and
Communication Strategy for the SEHCD project.
Develop and produce a monthly report that captures project progress, success/results and
key milestones to all the stakeholders.
t
In collaboration with the project leadership, outline the compelling narrative and key
messages to be used for stakeholders and beneficiary outreach whilst outlining project
activities and the benefits it will bring.
Assess internal and external communications needs and align the Communication Plans to
have one consistent channel of communication to stakeholders and other relevant
institutions. Manage media relations and engagement by sharing key messages, progress and results
through social and traditional media.
Enhance visibility of the project by producing and editing communications materials
including press announcements, social media messages, photos, videos, feature stories,
factsheets, brochures and graphics, special events, speeches, articles, interviews,
magazines, newsletters and presentations.
Manage and update the project’s website, and social media platforms as well as other
possible networking platforms. This will include the organisations preparation and
facilitation of the production of video graphic materials for the project outreach purposes
and tell project success stories.
Develop and issue updated and comprehensive community engagement strategy to reach
community level officials and other important project stakeholders. This will include
liaising with the local media outlets and guide them in presenting news and other
information about the project to the public, whilst mitigating risks of distortion and
misinformation about the project.
Organise and participate in communications activities and events including staff training
activities, press conferences/visits, and relevant workshops; facilitate trainings and
workshops as necessary.
Accompany field visits to target districts implementing project activities to provide inputs
and guidance to ensure project visibility and update stakeholders on the project milestones.
Any other related duties as assigned by PIU coordinator.
C. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:
A minimum bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, public relations, social
sciences, international relations, or related fields.
A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in strategic communication strategy
development and execution.
Experience in working with the government, INGOs experience in a World Bank funded
project is an added advantage.
Proven knowledge of visual communications principles and fluency with design
software
Understands project management concepts sufficiently to propose and develop drafts of
online communication plans and strategies with minimal supervision.
Can apply standards project management tools, methodologies, and processes.
Experience of working in a similar environment like that of Somaliland.
Able to deliver training programmes and workshops to the relevant partners and
stakeholders.
Experience in writing strategies and producing sound evidence-based reports.
Experience using graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative suite would be
preferable
Outstanding communication skills; ability to communicate to various stakeholders. Excellent writing and proofing skills.
Have ability to communicate succinctly and clearly, ensuring that communication
achieves its intended objective.
Possess analytical and problem-solving skills.
Able to work with multiple stakeholders; network, facilitate and foster good client
relations to build successful and sustaining effective working relationships.
Experience in advocacy and negotiation, especially with government counterparts.
Fluent in English and Somali.
D. LOCATION & DURATION:
Contract is for One year (1) year with possibility for extension based on requirement. The duty
station is MoES, Hargeisa. travel to the Project districts required.
E. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED:
The MoES will provide the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with office facilities,
essential utilities, office services, stationery and office supplies and use of a computer, printer,
scanner and photocopying machine. In addition, the MoES will provide copies of all the
documents to the Communication Specialist may need to discharge his/her functions.
F. REPORTING AND OTHER DELIVERABLES:
The Communication Specialist will report directly to the Somaliland PIU Project Coordinator
and closely work with PIU staff. She/he will work under the overall guidance of the Director
General, Somaliland Government MoES, Somaliland Government to smoothly run project
operations.
G. MODE OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINE:
Interested Candidates may obtain further information at the address given below from 8:30 to
3.30pm EA time (Excluding public holidays). The Expressions of interest (EOI), CV with 2
[email protected] on or before (17/05/2025) at 15:30 Hours (EA
Time) – marked clearly as Communication Specialist – PIU for the Education and Human
Capital Development Project”.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the Ministry of Education & Science.
