Wi De Ya National Communications Consultant

Background to CGA

CGA Technologies is an international consultancy firm, registered in the UK, with associated companies in South Sudan, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Malawi; and also staff based in Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Since 2011, we have worked to deliver national-scale, sustainable change in the fragile and/or poor countries where we operate; we specialise in doing that by increasing participation in – and access to – services, be they education, health or social welfare, through building at-scale systems that increase school enrolment and learning quality, strengthen human resource management and deliver cash support to citizens. We are part of the Corus International family of organisations.

CGA has had a registered and incorporated permanent office in Sierra Leone since March 2017, working in the health, education, and social protection sectors.

Objective

We are currently looking for a Communications Consultant to support our work, with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) on Wi De Ya, the Sierra Leone Education Attendance Monitoring System, funded by the World Bank. The role is being advertised as a consultancy for up to 15 working days per month over a 9 month period.

Background to Wi De Ya

Wi De Ya (We are here!) is the name of the Sierra Leone Education Attendance Monitoring System that will record daily teacher and pupil attendance in schools. It is an important step in the Government of Sierra Leone’s (GoSL) commitment to improve education under the Free Quality Education Policy.

Its aim is to:

• underpin and enhance transparency and accountability in the teaching service, strengthen teacher management, and improve the integrity of the teacher payroll.
• enhance the audit trail and verifying the headcount of pupils in government and government assisted schools, so the Ministry of Finance can pay the correct school subsidies.
• enable MBSSE to monitor pupil retention, so that individual learners at risk of dropping out can be identified and targeted with support to continue their school career.

CGA Technologies has been contracted to develop Wi De Ya, and rollout the system in three phases:

1. Pre-Pilot: 5 schools in Western Area Urban to test the app. September 2022.
2. Pilot: 60 schools across 5 districts to test the system in different environments. October to December 2022.
3. Rollout: 300 schools across all districts. January to June 2023.

Specifics of the role:

Reporting line: The Wi De Ya Communications Consultant will report directly to the CGA Technologies Communication Consultant and the Sierra Leone Deputy Country Coordinator but will have strong working relationships with the wider CGA Sierra Leone team.

Summary of responsibilities and duties:

The objective of the consultancy is to support Wi De Ya communication activities during the pilot and rollout phases of the project. Specific tasks and responsibilities of the Wi De Ya Communications Consultant include:

• Work with the CGA communications consultant to design and implement communication activities to support the successful delivery of Wi De Ya pilot and rollout phases, as per the Wi De Ya Communications and Engagement Plan and draft SLEAMS Communications Strategy.
• Prepare communications materials and content tailored to stakeholder key messages and information needs, including letters, Q&As, talking points, press releases and social media posts.
• Coordinate the Wi De Ya Communications Working Group (formed of CGA, TSC and MBSSE communication leads) to ensure timely feedback and dissemination of messages.
• Coordinate communications engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders, including SLTU, CPSS and NaCoHT.
• Support CGA Technologies’ Wi De Ya team to develop and adapt training materials, including videos.
• Arrange interviews and/or press conferences if and as required, identifying and preparing key spokespeople.
• Assist with CGA’s interactions with and support to TSC and MBSSE.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication, with experience of writing and developing a wide range of materials tailored to different audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Computer literacy.
• Enthusiastic, responsive and a flexible working style.
• Solutions based person, with a supportive attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to prioritise and achieve results.
• Photography, graphic design, videography and editing skills are an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in public relations, communications, Social and Behaviour Change Communication, programme management or another related field at the national and/or sub-national level.
• Experience of working in partnership with governments (at both national and district level) to implement communication activities.
• Experience of working in a diverse team to achieve results against tight timelines.
• Must have own work equipment, including laptop.

Qualifications:

• Degree in communications, public relations, social and behavioural sciences or related subjects. A Masters degree or higher is preferable.

Location: The role will be based in the CGA Technologies Sierra Leone office in Freetown on Liverpool Street.