Consultant of Mobilization and Public Relations; Municipal Infrastructure Development Project Management Centre

Project Management Unit for Municipal (communal) Infrastructure Development Projects in Tajikistan (PMUMID) - Water and Sanitation Investment Programme in Tajikistan (WSIP-1) announces a competition for the following vacant position: 

Terms of reference (TOR)

Consultant of Mobilization and Public Relations

I. Introduction

The Government of Tajikistan has appealed the World Bank to support government efforts to address the sector's problems and is currently preparing a project on rural water supply and sanitation. The Project Development Objectives (PDO) are to help the Government of Tajikistan: (i) strengthen the capacity of institutions in the water supply and sanitation sector and (ii) improve access to water supply and sanitation services in selected regions. Preliminary locations of the project area: (i) inter-district water supply system of the Vakhsh group, covering six districts of Southern Khatlon (Vakhsh, Balkhi, Kushoniyon, Levakant, Dusti, Jaykhun); (ii) Vose water supply system.

The project will be implemented by the SUE "KMK" and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (Implementing agencies) through the existing Project Management Unit for Municipal (communal) Infrastructure Development Projects.

This Terms of Reference describes the responsibilities of the Social Mobilization and Communications Specialist who will be hired by the PMU office to organize and coordinate community mobilization and information dissemination in target areas of Khatlon region.

II.  Objective

The purpose of this assignment is to organize and coordinate community mobilization and dissemination of information within the framework of the RWSSP project in close cooperation with the Social Development Specialist.

III. Scope of services and key tasks

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

a) Coordinating the preparation of the RWSSP Communication Plan and its implementation, including the preparation and production of project communication materials such as leaflets, brochures, posters, radio/video, and media outreach;

b) Coordinating the work of the Consulting Firm to develop communication materials related to the need for behavior change in relation to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and reviewing all results under this ToR, including all communication and training materials.

c) Organizing and coordinating the work of the Consulting Firm on activities to popularize sanitation and hygiene among the population and schools in accordance with the implementation schedule of the RWSSP and project documentation;

d) Liaise with line ministries/agencies, non-governmental organizations, local governments, and international institutions to promote WASH (e.g., developing a revised package of policies to promote WASH in schools, including training activities on menstrual hygiene);

e) Coordinating media relations activities to disseminate information on project progress;

f) Conduct regular audits to monitor the progress of implementation of the WASH component and ensure community mobilization, behavioral change communication, and capacity-building activities are carried out in a timely manner with proper monitoring and adherence to the component plan/schedule;

g) Preparing and presenting reports, responses, analytical notes, and other information to management and external partners;

h) Carry out other duties according to the instructions of the Project Director.

IV. Reporting and Contract Duration

The Consultant of Mobilization and Public Relations will work closely with the Social Development Specialist and will report directly to the Project Director. The contract duration is 5 months with a possible extension.

V. Qualification requirements

• Graduate Diploma in Social/Behavioral Sciences (sociology, public health, marketing psychology, journalism, public health, education or other related field);

• Good communication skills and practical experience in the field of community mobilization, community work, participatory planning, and prior experience in developing communications materials; public and behavior change is an advantage.

• Previous experience working with projects financed by the World Bank and/or other international donors;

• Possibility of conducting working visits to project sites in the Khatlon region to organize and coordinate the implementation of project activities as necessary;

• Ability to interact and collaborate effectively with government agencies and other stakeholders, including local communities and NGOs/LLC;

• Knowledge of the Tajik language is mandatory. Fluency in English is an advantage;

• Ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and structured reports.

VI. Terms of payment 

Salaries are established according to the staffing schedule of the PMU MID in Tajikistan with a set rate in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated November 29, 2022 No. 582.

Interested specialists must submit their CVs, copies of their diploma and passport, biography, and other documents no later than March 5, 2024, by 5.00 PM local time:

Dushanbe, 56, N. Karabaeva st., MIDPMU, the building of the State Unitary Enterprise "Khojagi manziliyu communali", 4th floor.

Tel: 233 88 25, 233 13 30

Email: rwssp@midp.tj

For the attention of Mr. A.R. Saidvalizoda,

To the Director of the PMU MID in Tajikistan.