Communication and Design Consultant - Empowering Civil Society Organizations Program

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is seeking an experienced consultant with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes to support a civil society actors’ network. 

About the Assignment

• Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is seeking an experienced consultant with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes to support a civil society actors’ network. The consultant will provide technical support to establish an online presence for the network and handle design and communication, particularly focusing on building appropriate layout/design for social media usage and online material (i.e. social media banners/logo integration, templates, infographics, publications, guidelines, reports, newsletters, infographics,e-invitations, etc.), accompanied by captions, hashtags, and other social media content suitable for postings.One of the objectives of the project is to support an existing network of civil society actors in the region, which connects over 800 members on an online platform. The project builds on the learnings from previous years of implementation by certain organizations, fostering safe, inclusive, and collaborative engagement for diverse civil society actors. This platform, led by women, facilitates discussions among civil society actors on the following:
  
• Promoting social cohesion between communities through regular thematic dialogues.
• Improving aid effectiveness through dialogue processes with civil society.
• Ensuring that grassroots voices are heard by the international community

Consultancy Summary

• The main objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive social media and design kit tailored to the visual identity and tone of the network. The designer will work closely with the communication strategist, building on the strategy to implement a recognizable brand, engaging stakeholders, boosting outreach, using best practices, and ensuring the alignment between the communication and design and the network’s mission.

Deliverables and expected responsibilities:

• The Communication Consultant will perform the following tasks based on the communication strategy and in collaboration with the communication strategy expert and website designer:
• Establish an online presence for the network.
• Manage online communities on social media platforms.
• Collaborate with web designers and the network’s team to support the establishment of the network’s website.
• Implement visual identity guidelines to all visual material.
• Implement key messaging aligned with the network and the organization’s vision and goals.
• Boost audience outreach and engagement based on audience segmentation and engagement strategies.
• Implement brand positioning and tone guidelines.
• Implement a dissemination plan based on the Social media and digital outreach strategy.
• Implement communication action plan
• Designing and developing a set of communication tools and templates that can be used for consistent messaging.
• Participate in regular meetings with the team to discuss and develop design and social media material and implementation.
• Handover a social media and design toolkit which includes but is not limited to: social media banners, profile pictures, logo integration, infographics, research papers, policy papers, policy briefs, reports, narrative reports, social media posts, newsletters, infographics, e-invitations.

Note: the deliverables need to be available in both Arabic and English.

Timeline

• The consultancy will start in March 2025 and will end in September 2025.

Requirements & qualifications

• The consultant should have the following expertise and qualifications:
• Excellent knowledge and expertise  in communications and design or related fields.
• Proven experience and proficiency in design and social media for non-profit organizations.
• Strong knowledge of community engagement and digital communication tools.
• Good knowledge and experience in advocacy, peacebuilding, dialogue processes, and related fields of work.
• Strong knowledge and experience in working with civil society in the MENA region.
• Significant professional experience working with Arabic and English-speaking participants
• Experience working with and providing technical support to civil society organizations
• Excellent training skills (in-person and online training)
• Experience in working in the MENA region.

Submission of proposals

• The application should include:
• A CV
• Cover letter (including examples of previous work and samples from previous experiences)
• Financial Proposal

Requirements for the Financial Proposal
The consultant shall furnish a budget breakdown, delineating consultant fees and logistical expenses. The financial proposal should include provisions covering all costs associated with the assignment, including applicable taxes in USD.