Communications Specialist

The Project consists of the following two components:

Component 1: Financing immediate wheat import needs and maintaining bread access for poor and vulnerable population groups (US$ 147.5 million). This component will finance immediate wheat purchases to avoid the disruption of imports in the short term, and its dire socioeconomic implications. While market conditions and price developments are difficult to anticipate in the following months, it is expected that the project will help procure approximately 250,000 metric tons of wheat. Commercial practices will be used for procuring wheat imports.

Component 2: Project management and capacity building (US$2.5 million). This component will finance all aspects of project management, including equipment and materials, consultant costs, compliance with fiduciary, procurement (including internal controls and auditing), and safeguards (environmental and social) requirements (including a citizen engagement mechanism and a strengthened Grievance Mechanism for better risk management), monitoring and evaluation, and impact assessment, knowledge management and communication. It will finance mechanisms to improve the mitigation of risks associated with wheat imports and access to
affordable bread under Component 1. It will also support consultancy services and technical assistance that will strengthen The Ministry of Economy and Trade’s (MoET) oversight function as well as capacity to manage the gradual transition from the current wheat subsidy system to a more market-oriented system.

MoET, which oversees grain imports in Lebanon, is the implementing agency of the Project. MoET will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and BdL on fiduciary aspects. While no project implementation unit will be established, project implementation will rely on a designated project task team, consisting of MoET staff with clearly assigned roles. External consultants will be hired to complement MoET staff in key areas such as fiduciary and strengthen capacity. The project task team will be responsible for managing the day-to-day implementation of the project. It will include the roles of a project coordinator, a procurement
specialist, a financial management specialist, a monitoring and evaluation specialist and a safeguards specialist among others. Framework Agreements between MoET and selected local importers (Eligible Importers) will be put in place to state the roles and responsibilities of each party, lay out the technical and contractual requirements for wheat import purchases, and set the rules for pricing and payments.

II. Assignment Objectives

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading all communications related issues related to the project. S/he will be responsible for developing and implementing the communication strategy for the Project. The Communications Specialist will be tasked with managing all public relations efforts on behalf of the Project and MoET. The selected individual is expected to assist the World Bank and MoET, by providing local perspective and input to be into all communications and public outreach events, including organizing meetings, workshops, site visits and visibility activities.

III. Responsibilities of the Communications Specialist

• Serve as the first point of contact on all matters related to communications support for the Project. This includes liaising with national and international media outlets, providing communications support to the Project staff and MoET, and developing and implementing a communications strategy and public relations campaign during the implementation of the project to present its benefits, address any challenges and mitigate the risks of any negative public relations.
• Work directly with Project staff on responding to public concerns and addressing them in clear communications outreach campaigns, including developing and disseminating press releases, social media posts, and explanatory videos
• Assist the project implementation team interface and communicate with key stakeholders in the wheat value chain (bakeries, etc.), as well as donors
• Organize and manage any workshops, conferences, press meetings and media tours related to the implementation of the Project
• Document and maintain a database of media and communications publications related to the project, and disseminate internally weekly newsletter on the project including latest updates, media references and any key messages for staff, MoET management and World Bank project implementation team.

IV. Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications and Media with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience.
• Previous experience with media outlets or communications with international organizations.
• Good working knowledge on social media platforms including youtube, twitter and facebook.
• Experience of serving Clients in a multi-cultural and political environment.
• Strong client service skills and the ability to work under pressure with accuracy and professionalism.
• Proficiency in the recent Microsoft Windows and Adobe applications.
• General knowledge of the communications requirements of the World Bank Group.
• Proven ability to work alone and in a team environment.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English, French and Arabic;

V. Duration of Assignment

The contract period is for one year on a part-time basis.