Communications Expert of the Central Asia Climate Information Platform (CACIP)

Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

   announces an open vacancy to the position of Communications Expert of the Central Asia Climate Information Platform (CACIP)

1.     Background

On November 3, 2015, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved an allocation of US$38 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to finance the first phase of the regional Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB). This approved financing includes US$9 million for Tajikistan, US$14 million for Uzbekistan, and US$15 million for regional activities to be implemented by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC-IFAS) with support from the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) for day-to-day regional coordination and implementation.

The CAMP4ASB aims to enhance regionally coordinated access to improved climate change knowledge services for key stakeholders (e.g., policy makers, communities, and civil society) in participating Central Asian countries as well as to increased investments and capacity building that, combined, will address climatic challenges common to the countries. CAMP4ASB[1] is comprised of three components:

Component 1:   Regional Climate Knowledge Services: To strengthen the knowledge and capacity base for climate action and facilitate regional dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement for an effective climate response at scale;

Component 2:   Regional Climate Investment Facility: To provide financing and technical assistance to rural communities for climate-smart investments that will generate lessons and experience for scaled-up climate action in priority areas common to all Central Asian countries;

Component 3: Regional and National Coordination: For oversight, coordination, and implementation support at regional and national levels.

Under the Sub-component 1.1. “Strengthening the Information Platform for Central Asia”, the Central Asia Climate Information Platform (CACIP) is developing to facilitate access by stakeholders to public-domain data for climate assessment and decision-making.  This platform will help stakeholders to access, analyze, and visualize public-domain data to support improved awareness, assessment, and decision support. The Platform is expected to make available comprehensive and up-to-date relevant data and information, linking with high- quality datasets from global, regional, and local sources, provide analytical tools and interfaces for the visualization and interpretation of data and information. CACIP is covering five priority climate-sensitive thematic areas (water resources, energy, agriculture, climate-induced disasters, health) and consists following thematic web-sites: www.riverbp.net, www.carececo.org, www.ca-climate.org. 

2.     Objectives of the assignment    

The main objective of the assignment is to develop and implement communications and outreach activities CACIP promotion on national, regional and international levels (including thematic web-sites www.riverbp.net, www.carececo.org, www.ca-climate.org). These activities will be implemented in close collaboration with the CACIP Specialist, CACIP Database Assistant and the CAMP4ASB RCU team.

3.     Specific tasks

The Expert is expected to undertake the following tasks:

1.1. Develop the 3-years Communications Strategy, and respective Action plan (including budget) that foster engagement of media and external stakeholders (researchers, academia, government, farmers, NGOs, etc.) to enhance CACIP’s brand profile, influence, and achievements at global, regional and national level;

1.2. Conduct outreach and communication activities at national, regional and international level according to the Action plan to showcase the impact of CACIP activities (producing outreach materials in English and Russian languages including news, presentations, success stories, social media toolkit, flyer, booklet, brochure, visuals, monthly newsletters, podcast episodes, text and video interviews with CACIP experts and partners on relevant climate-related topics, etc.);

1.3. Maintain and update regularly CACIP accounts in social media in a most creative and interactive way including by using actual multimedia communications assets and tools (Facebook, Telegram, LinkedIn, YouTube, CACIP Mobile app);

1.4. Work collaboratively with key stakeholders (incl. media) to share information about CACIP and its progress in a timely manner to ensure that the counterparts and the wider audience is well aware about the CACIP activities (continuously);

1.5. Provide communication support in the framework of CACIP related meetings and events, including media monitoring to assess media and audience outreach;

1.6. Organize the participation of media (including TV, radio etc.) at the CACIP related events, prepare press releases, press/media kits;

1.7. Provide reports on website statistics related to the coverage of outreach materials (quarterly) and contribute into development of project reports.

4.     Required experience and qualifications  

·     Master’s Degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, international relations, sustainable development, climate policy, environmental sciences, or another relevant field;

·     Good understanding of environmental policy of Central Asia countries;

·     A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience with an international organization, PR agency, private sector, government or non-profit, with experience managing and delivering complex communications projects;

·     Proven experience in developing effective PR plans using appropriate strategies and tactics, organizing and coordinating PR activities, managing media relations, maintaining social media, and/or publications.

·     Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Russian languages. Knowledge of another regional language will be an advantage; 

·     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with strong representational abilities.

Personal qualities:

·     Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;

·     Result-oriented mindset, proactive responsiveness, ability to work under pressure and remotely;

·     Evidence of strong analytical skills, and problem identification and solving.

Computer skills:

·     Excellent knowledge of Microsoft office suite (MS Word, Excel, Power Point) and strong interest in learning new software/applications;

5.     Timeline and Reporting

The probation period for the consultancy services will be three months with the possibility of further extension. The CACIP Communications Expert shall report to the CAMP4ASB RCU Coordinator.

Detailed Terms of reference 

Interested candidates should send CVs and cover letter to SMustafin@carececo.org not later than February 07, 2021.  

[1] For more details about the project and description of all components and subcomponents, please refer to the CAMP4ASB Project Appraisal Document (PAD)