I. Background

The Government of Nepal with support from the World Bank, has three projects under implementation with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development: 1) Rural Economic and Enterprise Development Project (REED), 2) Nepal Livestock  Sector Innovation Project (NLSIP), and 3) Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project (FANSEP).  

The objective of the REED Project is to strengthen rural market linkages and entrepreneurship ecosystem and to create job opportunities as the recovery actions from COVID-19. The project targets (i) smallholder farmers and rural producers organized in groups, organizations, cooperatives, or other forms of association, referred to as producer organizations; (ii) agribusiness SMEs; and (iii) agri-tech start-ups. The objective of FANSEP is to enhance climate resilience and improved agricultural productivity and nutrition practices of targeted small holder farming communities in selected areas of Nepal. The objective of NLSIP is to increase productivity, enhance value addition, and improve climate resilience of small holder farms and agro-enterprise in selected livestock value chains in Nepal.

Given the extensive support for agricultural development and the critical nature of the MoALD activities, it is important for the projects to engage with stakeholders and the public in clear and consistent communications about the projects’ purpose, activities, results, and impact regularly. As such the REED OPD, NLSIP PMU and FANSEP PMU at MOALD will need to prepare a communication strategy for the three projects (REED, NLSIP an FANSEP).

II. Objective and Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to develop a communication strategy for each of MoALD’s World Bank financed projects (REED, NLSIP and FANSEP), in collaboration with each project team and based on their existing communication strategies. This will include discussions with various stakeholders, preparing a stakeholder map and identification of key audiences, key materials to be developed, possible partners for implementation, key messages, outreach and media strategy, and a crisis communications strategy. The consultant will also provide training and guidance to the project teams on implementing their communications strategy. S/hewill work independently but in close coordination with relevant officials of MoALD as well as the World Bank’s REED, FANSEP and NLSIP team members and External affairs teams. 

III. Assignment Duration

The Consultant is expected to work for up to three months starting from the day of signing of contract. The consultant may be hired subsequently to monitor and support implementation on a part-time basis. 

IV. Deliverables

Tailored communications strategy for REED, FANSEP and NLSIP (in Nepali) which includes:

• A review of each project’s communications strategy and practice to assess whether:

(i) all stakeholders are being properly informed;

(ii) public project information is adequate, constantly updated and easily accessible;

(iii) project management units have adequate channels for stakeholder dialogue; and

(iv) information on lessons learned and success stories is properly and widely disseminated.

• Identification of key stakeholders and development of a stakeholder map.
• Development of key messages as relevant to identified stakeholders.
• Mapping of key media and social media influencers—including federal, provincial and local level media.
• Identification of key project information milestones.
• Identification of key communications products (including Press Releases, Op-Eds, Blogs, Info graphics, webinars,) pegging around the key milestones.
• Outreach strategy using an integrated mix of mass and targeted media, press, social and new media, campaigns, interpersonal communications, etc.
• Development of key communications indicators to measure the success the of communication strategy.
• Development of Crisis communications strategy

National outreach plans for the three projects to differentiated stakeholders (including development partners and beneficiaries), which at minimum should include information on:

• Regularity/frequency of communication
• Possible channels and partners for delivery/implementation
• List of Materials to be developed
• Main messages to transmit (per process, milestone and type of stakeholder)

Provincial and local level outreach plans for the three projects to implement focused on local level stakeholders (including provincial and local politicians, provincial and local media persons and beneficiaries), ensuring:

• Information reaches the target groups as well as youth, women, unemployed, jobs seekers and other excluded groups.
• Use local level outreach platforms such as street theatres and community radio dramas for effective outreach and messaging into the communities

Involving stakeholders in message production

The consultant will also organize a structured process for collection of success stories produced by beneficiaries and youth in each project.  The process can be incentivized through prizes or payments for accepted communication products (short written or recorded stories, short videos, etc.).  This information shall be used by project teams to prepare material (blogs, vlogs, interviews, articles, etc.) for dissemination through mass media, as well as project, MoALD and World Bank websites.

Communication Capacity Building of project management units, including

• Training on social media
• Training on media interaction
• Training on messaging and developing success stories.

V. Reporting

The Consultant will liaise with each project’s team and work closely with their communications staff. S/he will report to Karishma Wasti and David Tuchschneider in the World Bank’s Nepal Country Office.