Strategic Communications Consultant

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Empowered Movements for Rights and Gender Equality (EMERGE) Program

Strategic Communications Consultant

Title: Strategic Communications Consultant

Reporting to: Senior Adviser, Law and Human Rights Unit

Duration: August 8, 2022 to September 16, 2022 (30 working days), subject to extension

Background

The Empowered Movements for Rights and Gender Equality (EMERGE) Program is a 36-month project by The Asia Foundation, funded by the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) and the Global Equality Fund. The EMERGE Program aims to advance the human rights of persons who face discrimination, violence, or abuse on account of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in the Philippines. It seeks to build momentum for national policy change, while at the same time supporting local-level networks and movements that promote an end to violence, discrimination, and abuse of LGBTQI+ persons.

The Foundation is working with grassroots LGBTQI+-led organizations to campaign for the adoption and meaningful implementation of Anti-Discrimination Ordinances (ADOs) in key local government units across the Philippines. At the national level, the Program consortium will drive the agenda for the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (CADB) and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill, which will greatly advance the human rights of the LGBTQI+ community.

An integral component of the Program is the strengthening of the capacity of these LGBTQI+-led organizations in implementing advocacy campaigns. The Foundation will assist in the creation of a broad and unified communications strategy for these organizations, in furtherance of initiating and sustaining national campaigns.

Responsibilities

The Strategic Communications Consultant will be tasked with the following responsibilities:

• Undertake desk research and analysis of relevant LGBTQI+ issues and history, the CADB and SOGIE Bill, and existing ADOs to fully understand the socio-political situation of the LGBTQI+ movement in the Philippines;
• Facilitate the formation of strategic communications committees within each partner organization;
• Conduct planning sessions with the partner organizations individually and collectively to develop and strengthen communications, with respect to both traditional and digital media platforms;
• Conduct training sessions with the partner organizations individually and collectively to improve data management systems and data analytics strategies;
• Ensure the consistency, coherence, and effectiveness of Program messaging among the partner organizations;
• Assist the partner organizations in strategic planning, the creation of internal communications policies, the mobilization of resources, and the rollout of local and national public outreach campaigns for the adoption and implementation of ADOs, the passage of the CADB and the SOGIE Equality Bill, and the promotion of positive behaviors that support LGBTQI+ rights; and
• Work with the EMERGE Program Team in conducting post-activity evaluations and impact assessments.
• Other tasks as may be recommended by the Senior Adviser, consistent with the tasks enumerated above.

Selection Criteria

The Strategic Communications Consultant will ideally fulfill the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in Development Communication, Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences or related fields;
• Preferably a graduate degree in a relevant field;
• At least 5 years of experience in communication-related skills and competencies;
• Strong facilitation skills;
• Highly developed communication skills, including the crafting of key messages, the identification of appropriate tools and techniques, the ability to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style to identified audience segments;
• The ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks, and communicate broad and strategic directions;
• Experience in LGBTQI+ advocacy work and working with LGBTQI+ organizations; and
• Strong media, INGO, NGO, and government relations.

We strongly encourage members of the LGBTQI+ community to apply for this position.