National Strategic Communications Consultant

The consultant will provide technical expertise for the development of a Strategic Communications Framework to counter anti-gender narratives and strengthen positive narratives on gender equality, women’s rights and women’s leadership in Georgia. The consultancy involves research, stakeholder consultations, development and testing of strategic narratives, and delivering a comprehensive communications framework and campaign concept.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a desk review of relevant research, reports and communication materials, including UN Women’s recent Study on Anti-gender Discourse in Georgia, to identify key narratives, communication challenges, audiences and opportunities.
• Participate in consultations facilitated and organized by UN Women with relevant stakeholders, including women’s organizations, to gather insights and agree on priority communication challenges, audiences and objectives.
• Identify and segment priority audiences and assess their perceptions, information needs and communication preferences to inform tailored communication approaches.
• Develop strategic narratives, key messages and counter-messages on gender equality, together with recommended communication approaches, messengers and channels for reaching different audiences.
• Identify key communication risks and potential backlash associated with the proposed narratives and messages and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
• Test the proposed narratives and messages with selected audiences to assess their clarity, relevance, credibility and resonance, and refine them based on the findings.
• Develop a Strategic Communications Framework consolidating the key findings and providing practical guidance on priority audiences, strategic narratives and messages, communication approaches, messengers and channels, and risks and mitigation measures.
• Develop campaign concept translating the tested narratives and messages into practical communication initiatives, including campaign objectives, target audiences, core concepts, proposed messaging, formats and channels, and potential messengers.
• Present the draft Strategic Communications Framework and campaign concept to UN Women and the Task Force on Women’s Leadership for validation and incorporate relevant feedback into the final deliverables.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Strategic Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field.
• A bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
• At least five years with a master’s degree (seven years with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, public communication, advocacy, media, campaign development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, narratives, key messages and/or communication campaigns.
• Experience working on gender equality, women’s rights, human rights, civil society or related social issues will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience working with civil society organizations, media, development partners and/or international organizations will be considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and Georgian is required.

Skills

• Strategic Communications
• Communication Strategy
• Narrative Development
• Key Message Development
• Media campaign development
• Advocacy Communication
• Gender Equality Communication
• Media Relations
• Multi-Stakeholder Consultation
• Research
• Campaign Concept Development
• Public Communication
• Civil Society Engagement
• Human Rights Communication
• Women's Rights Communications

Languages

English, Georgian