Position:    Strategic Communications and Branding Advisor/Product Development Advisor
No. of position:  One
Duty Station:  Kathmandu with travel to Tansen, Palpa
LOE:   Part-time for 3-6 months
Start Date:    Mid- May, 2020
Deadline for Applications:   April 19, 2020

Background and Objectives:

The four-year UKaid Skills for Employment (सीप) programme is seeking a part-time Strategic Communications and Branding Advisor for a new partnership designed to revive the Palpali Dhaka Association. Launched in April 2019, UKaid सीप is brokering transformational partnerships with the Nepali private and public sector to propel growth in selected priority sectors – commercial agriculture, light manufacturing, tourism, ICT, and construction – at Provinces 2 and 5 through expanded access to quality skills training linked to gainful employment and migration optimization. सीप uses a Challenge Fund co-investment and technical assistance mechanism to forge partnerships aimed at addressing key market constraints in boosting job creation and sectoral growth by introducing innovative, scalable training models, building multi-sectoral collaborations, and unlocking public and private capital. 

Launched in February 2020, UKaid सीप’s partnership with the Palpali Dhaka Association (PDA) and the Government of Province 5 is aimed at building skills of weavers and entrepreneurs in order to: reinvigorate employment/self-employment, inject quality and innovation in Dhaka designs, improve branding and marketing, build stronger backward and forward market linkages, and enable access to finance for entrepreneurs as well as for self-employed home-based weavers.

Role:

The Start-up Partnership Manager will support the Palpali Dhaka Association to support start-up of the partnership/project in collaboration with consortium partners and others supporters including UKaid सीप, Label STEP, Banks, Nepal Yarn Manufacturer’s Association, the Provincial and Local Government, and a potential pool of other short-term national/international branding/communications and design consultants. The key responsibilities are as follows:

• Drive development of relevant and coherent principles of communications that underpin PDA’s brand positioning domestically and abroad; develop a tailored, high-impact communications strategy and implementation plan with an integrated approach inclusive of graphic design, media relations, social media, and editorial/publications
• Taking a long-term strategic campaign approach, the consultant will lead and contribute to development of innovative platforms, avenues, labeling, trademark and initiatives that help PDA better convey its key messages in an effort to engage key audiences in building credibility and recognition for Dhaka fabric as well as for Palpali Dhaka Association’s story and impact
• The Consultant will support the production of a wide range of content and materials (e.g. project sheets, website, social media content, and brochures) in collaboration with PDA and its project team to build capacity for sustained high-quality communications and branding efforts
• The Consultant will provide innovative thinking and creative direction to help design and roll out strategic events and public engagements such as, but not limited to, image campaigns, exhibitions, etc. This also involves guidance for branding these events

Reporting: Candidate will work closely with the Communication and Outreach Manager, and report to the Deputy Team Leader

Minimum Qualifications and Preferred Skills:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in communications or equivalent, plus not less than 10 years’ experience of working with creative design, marketing and branding firms
• Proven capability and experience in brand building, marketing campaigns and innovative thinking
• Working experience within multicultural teams and international organizations or companies and knowledge of Nepal made products and companies
• Very strong editorial and communication skills; fluency in English and Nepali, with an eye toward results-based management
• Very good knowledge and understanding of the marketing and communication industry
• Proficiency in standard software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, as well knowledge of best practices in social media