Download Position information Job description: National Awareness Raising

Position information
Job description:
National Awareness Raising Consultancy/Company (NARC)
Duty Station:
Albania
Starting date:
As soon as possible
Deadline for application December 19, 2016 (midnight/local time)
Organizational Context
The Kune-Vaini lagoon system (KVLS), located within the Drini-Mati River Delta in the Lezha
region of Albania, provides a wide range of valuable goods and services to nearby
communities. These local communities derive the majority of their income from fishing or
agriculture and therefore depend on functional, intact ecosystems in the lagoon system for
their livelihoods. A rapid increase in population size and widespread poverty in the area have
led to an increase in pressure on the lagoon for ecosystem goods and services, and to
unplanned alterations in the buffer zone surrounding the lagoon.
The unsustainable use and alteration of the KVLS is being compounded and will be further
exacerbated by the effects of climate change, in several ways. Firstly, recent climate change
models predict an increase in air and sea surface temperature, which will lead to increased
evaporation. In addition, global climate models also predict a reduction in precipitation, which
will also result in an increase in salinity in the lagoon with detrimental effects on the fisheries.
Secondly, models predict an accelerating rate of sea-level rise (up to 61 centimetres by
2100) resulting in increased erosion and the consequent loss of habitat within the KVLS.
Finally, the KVLS is expected to experience more intense and frequent floods and storm
surges. These extreme events will lead to the erosion of beaches and riparian forests and
the alteration of flow patterns within the KVLS, which in turn reduces physical barriers to
extreme coastal flooding events and limits the capacity of the lagoon to buffer the
surrounding communities from these events.
In order to address this problem, Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) resources have
been provided to the Government of Albania to implement the project “Building the
resilience of Kune-Vaini Lagoon (KVL) through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA)” which
aims to increase the capacity of government and local communities living nearby the KVLS
to adapt to climate change using an integrated suite of adaptation interventions, including
EbA.
This will be achieved by the following outcomes of the project:
1. Improving technical and institutional capacity of policy- and decision-makers in Albania to
address climate change risks through the implementation of adaptation interventions,
including ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA).
2. Demonstrating adaptation interventions within the KVLS.
3. Improving awareness and knowledge of local communities and national stakeholders on
effective EbA.
Functions
Summary of Key Functions:
The National Awareness Raising Consultancy/Company (NARC) will be responsible for
designing and implementing
national, local and school-specific awareness-raising
campaigns on climate change adaptation, and the advantages of Ecosystem-based
Approach (EbA) to increase resilience to climate change impacts.
These campaigns will build a basic understanding of EbA and its benefits using: i) local
awareness-raising in the Lezha region; and ii) national awareness raising. The national
awareness campaigns will disseminate general information on EbA. In contrast, local
awareness-raising events will provide detailed information on the particular EbA
interventions that will be implemented by the project in the Kune-Vaini Lagoon System
(KVLS). The local awareness-raising activities should include schools.
Objectives of the Assignment
The objectives of this assignment are to:

Design and implement a knowledge management plan and communication strategy to
capture, store and disseminate knowledge products generated by the SCCF project.

Conduct awareness-raising campaigns for policy and decision makers, technical
government and non-government personnel, and the general public on: i) the benefits
and implementation of EbA interventions.

Identify and develop innovative awareness raising activities for learners at primary,
secondary and high schools on climate change and EbA.

Implement awareness-raising activities identified in Activity 3.2.2 in schools in Albania
with specific focus on schools nearby the Kune-Vaini lagoon system.
Duties and Responsibilities of NARC:

Become familiar with the project document and project objectives.

The company will develop and implement a comprehensive Public Awareness and
Communication Strategy on the advantages of Ecosystem Base Approach (EbA) to
increase resilience to climate change impacts.

Develop a work plan for improving awareness and knowledge of local communities and
national stakeholders on effective EbA according to the strategy and work plan of the
project.

The campaigns will focus on explaining: i) the meaning of EbA; ii) how EbA contributes
to adaptation to climate change; iii) current EbA projects; iv) best practices; and v) basic
EbA tools that can be used to better adapt to climate change. Additionally, lessons
learned and information generated during the project will be integrated into the public
awareness campaigns. These awareness-raising campaigns will be gender-sensitive.

Identify and develop innovative awareness raising activities for learners at primary,
secondary and high schools on climate change and the advantages EbA, with specific
focus on schools nearby the KVLS. Awareness raising activities could include inter alia
site visits, computer games, board games, outdoor activities, innovative approach of
education activities’ focused on competence learning methods, etc.

Meet with relevant institutions and government ministries to identify the most effective
media (i.e. print, outdoor, digital, internet) for raising national awareness at the school
level.

Establish the current level of awareness and understanding of ecosystem-based
adaptation (EbA) at a national and local level.

Design, produce and distribute informational and promotional material for local
communities and the general public to encourage ecotourism, such as posters, bird and
animal checklists, maps, lagoon history or flagship species of KVLS handouts etc.

The published PR (promotion materials): leaflets, brochures, free cards, educational
packages will be distributing at different events such as the DMRD week, climate change
action day etc;

The company will also work with local NGOs, journalists to gain further information and
will use multi-media such as talk shows, TV and Radio spots and other means of raising
awareness;

Develop educational material to be used by local NGOs, schools and local community
groups on climate change issues/impacts, the climate change resilience concept and the
effectiveness/advantages of EbA.

Conduct experience-sharing and community events to facilitate learning and dialogue
among policy makers, implementers and local people living within and benefiting from
selected interventions sites.

Identify and develop appropriate mechanism(s) to evaluate results of activities under the
Public Awareness and Communication Strategy and Action Plan. In particular, the
following indicators are expected to be measured: (i) percentage of population reached
by public awareness and communication activities, (ii) educational material used by local
communities; and (iii) percentage of population understanding the importance of coastal
zone management.

Develop mechanisms to gather views of stakeholders.

This contract will include liaising with the MoE to assist in the coordination and planning
of the local communication events completing the specified duties and responsibilities,
and achieving project objectives;
Experience and qualifications:

The contract will be implemented by an Albanian Consultancy/Company with relevant
experience in public awareness, communication strategy and participation regarding
environmental issues at the national level.

At least 10 years of experience on environmental education, public awareness,
communication strategy and participation at the national level. Expertise at regional level
or neighbouring countries in the topic will be added value.

Expertise in development of educational modules on climate change in accordance with
Albanian school curricular programs.

Expertise on teacher training on Environmental Education topics.

Experience working with local education institution as Regional Education Directories,
primary and high schools at the national level.

Experience in the production of information materials, designing the website, postcards,
leaflets, magazines, calendar lay-outing, and photography; and knowledge of computer
graphics and layout program an advantage.

Work experience with Climate Change issues and Resilience projects funded by
international donors is an advantage.

In the last five years the company must have managed projects in the field of
environmental education and awareness of the approximately amount of 80,000 Euro.

Strong communication, reporting and presentation skills.
The staff of the company should have the following skills:

Relevant university degree in environmental sciences, environmental education
wetland/coastal zone management, communication and marketing.

Practical experience of at least five years in similar assignments, including handling large
public awareness campaigns, development, and publication of Education Modules in
accordance of curricula and school’s academic programs, development of PR materials
for NGO/community and website management.

Ability
to
communicate
effectively
with
a
broad
number
of
stakeholders/NGOs/Community groups/ general public etc.

Fluency in English and ability to write reports and project management plans in English.

Willingness to participate in field activities/surveys and travel to remote areas within the
country.
Schedule and deliverables
The consultant will report to the Coordinator of the PCU and will prepare the following
outputs:

Public Awareness and Communication Action Plan for specific awareness raising
campaigns on the advantages of ecosystem base approach (EbA) for policy and
decision makers, technical government and nongovernment personnel, and the general
public on: i) the benefits and implementation of EbA interventions ii) ecotourism.

Reports on the public awareness activities carried out in each quarter and their impacts.

Awareness-raising events, as detailed in the Public Awareness and Communication
Action Plan.

All PR materials published on specific awareness raising campaign on the advantages of
Ecosystem Base Approach (EbA) as leaflets, brochures, free cards, resource
educational packages for schools on EbA.

Final report on the awareness-raising campaign.
Application
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their approach to the assignment,
a detailed CV and financial proposal to:
Pellumb Abeshi, General Director of Environmental Policies and director of the project,
Ministry of Environment, [email protected]
Viola Agasi,
Project Coordinator
Mobile:0692365066 / 0674091375
Email:[email protected]
Rruga Vaso Pasha Pall 42/1/5 Tirane