Communications Consultant

Location: Kingston, Jamaica

Project Title: Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) Project

Reports to: Project Coordinator, CORE Project

Status: Consultancy 9 months (April 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025)

Language Requirements: English is essential

INTRODUCTION

The Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cuso International in partnership with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), is focused on building the capacity of National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) across eight Caribbean countries to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions. Clear and effective communication is critical to ensuring that these initiatives are successfully promoted and understood by stakeholders, communities, and partners.

The Communications Consultant will support the project by developing communication strategies, templates, and tools to enhance the visibility of the NCTFs and the CORE Project's outcomes, and will provide training and support to ensure that NCTFs can independently manage their communications moving forward.

Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objectives of the Communications Consultant are to:

1. Develop communication strategies for each NCTF that are aligned with the CORE Project’s goals and local contexts.
2. Provide capacity-building training and resources for NCTFs to effectively communicate their projects, outcomes, and initiatives.
3. Develop communication templates, including press briefings, social media posts, newsletters, and reporting templates for consistent and professional communication.
4. Create a self-paced communication training course for ongoing learning and onboarding of new team members.
5. Ensure that NCTFs have the communication tools necessary to engage with stakeholders, communities, and the media effectively.

Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, working in collaboration with identified volunteers and project stakeholders, with deliverables submitted based on the timeline agreed upon:

1. Communications Plan/Strategy for Each NCTF

• Develop tailored communication strategies for each NCTF to enhance their visibility, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness of their work in environmental conservation and climate resilience.

• Deliverable:

  1. Report on consultations with NCTF by May 30, 2025
  2. Draft Communications plan for each NCTF by May 30, 2025.
  3. Finalized communications plan for each of the eight NCTFs by June 15, 2025.

2. Communications Templates

• Create a set of communication templates to be used by NCTFs for press briefings, social media posts, newsletters, and communication reports.
• Deliverable:
  1. Draft communications templates for press briefings, social media posts, newsletters, and communication reports developed by May 15, 2025.
  2. Draft communications templates for press briefings, social media posts, newsletters, and communication reports developed by June 15, 2025.

3. Communications Training Manual

• Develop a comprehensive training manual on effective communication strategies, media engagement, and stakeholder outreach for NCTFs.
• Deliverable:
  1. Draft Communications training manual developed by July 30, 2025
  2. Final training manual developed by August 30, 2025.

4. Communications Training for NCTFs

• Provide in-person and virtual communications training sessions for all NCTFs to equip them with the skills to implement their communication plans and use the provided templates effectively.
• Deliverable:
  1. Training plan outlining topics and focus areas for training by July 15, 2025.
  2. At least one training sessions conducted by July 31, 2025.
  3. At least 2 additional training session held by September 30, 2025.

5. Self-Paced Communications Training Course

• Develop a self-paced, online communication training course that can be used for continuous learning and onboarding of new NCTF team members.
• Deliverable:
  1. Draft course material developed by August 31, 2025.
  2. Final Training Material developed and accessible self-paced course by October 30, 2025 with the help of a graphic designer.

6. Stakeholder Engagement and Media Outreach Support

• Provide guidance on media engagement (including social media) and stakeholder communication during key project activities, ensuring that all communications are consistent and aligned with project objectives.
• Deliverable:
  1. Ongoing support to produce communications material for NCTFs as need up to November of 2025
  2. Ongoing support and at least one media engagement by November 30, 2025.

Timeline of Deliverables

Deliverable                                                                                                                          Due Date

Report on consultations with NCTFs                                                                               May 30, 2025

Draft Communications Plan/strategy for each NCTF                                                      May 30, 2025

Draft communications templates for different uses                                                         May 15, 2025

Finalized Communications Plan/strategy for each NCTF                                               June 15, 2025

Final communications templates different uses                                                              June 15, 2025

Draft training manual                                                                                                       July 30, 2025

Training plan                                                                                                                    July 15, 2025

Training report                                                                                                                 July 31, 2025

Final training manual                                                                                                       August 30, 2025

Draft course material for self- paced course                                                                   August 31, 2025

Additional training reports                                                                                               September 30, 2025

Final course and materials for self- paced course                                                          October 30, 2025

Ongoing communications support                                                                                  Ongoing until November 2025

Media engagement                                                                                                         November 30, 2025

This table outlines the key deliverables and their corresponding due dates for each task related to the communications responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in developing and implementing communication strategies, ideally in the environmental or international development sector.
• Proven experience in training and capacity building in communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of communication tools and techniques, including social media, press relations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills in English.
• Familiarity with digital communication platforms and tools.

Reporting and Supervision

The Communications Consultant will report to the Program Manager of the CORE Project and collaborate closely with project stakeholders, including Cuso International, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and identified volunteers. Regular meetings will be scheduled to ensure the timely submission of deliverables.

Budget and Payment Schedule

The budget for the consultancy will be based on the consultant’s qualifications and experience. Payments will be made upon submission and approval of deliverables according to the agreed timeline.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Shanice Bedward at shanice.bedward@cusointernational.org by March 24, 2025.

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