Communication Agency Bid

International Alert Lebanon is implementing two projects:

1. “Building CSOs’ Capacity to Deliver Social Cohesion Projects in West Beqaa, Zahle, and Upper Chouf”
2. “Enhancing CSOs’ Ability to Foster Social Stability in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck”

These projects are in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) within the framework of the “Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities, and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE)” program, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project objective is “Improved horizontal social stability in target communities through greater capacity of CSOs to conduct gender- and conflict-sensitive activities that strengthen the community at the local level.”

Scope of Work:

International Alert Lebanon seeks to hire a communication agency to achieve the following objectives:

• Enhance the visibility of the two projects.
• Disseminate information about project activities.
• Share project success stories.
• Support key actors and partners working with International Alert to promote their achievements.
• Establish and maintain consistent communication within the two projects and with a wide range of audiences.

Tasks to be Performed by the Contractor:

The contractor shall work closely with the International Alert team to refine and implement the agreed-upon communication strategy for the two projects. Based on the information and material provided by International Alert, the contractor is responsible for:

• Initial Meeting: Understand the vision, mission, goals, and activities at both regional and country levels.
• Communication Plan: Develop a communication plan with key messages, communication channels, success metrics, and milestones.

Communication Deliverables:

• • Project 1: “Building CSOs’ Capacity to Deliver Social Cohesion Projects in West Beqaa, Zahle, and Upper Chouf” (until October 2024):
    • Design and print participant certificates.
    • Design training materials (up to 1000 slides) and produce 4 related videos (animation videos, 2 minutes).
    • Develop social media content and boosting (including 2 videos production impact stories, up to 3 minutes).
    • Design two banners (printing by International Alert).
  • Project 2: “Enhancing CSOs’ Ability to Foster Social Stability in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck” (until May 2025):
    • Design training materials (up to 500 slides) and certificates (one template English-Arabic)
    • Develop a communication kit adaptable at both country and regional levels (it's up to the agency to decide what to include in this kit). 
    • Create a design template for the project identity.
    • Design and translate learning papers (two pages).
    • Develop social media content and boosting to add visibility to project activities, CSOs’ work, and initiatives (including up to 4 videos production; two social media post per month).
    • Design a notebook and visibility materials for training.

Concept:

In the tender, the tenderer should demonstrate how the objectives and deliverables will be achieved (technical-methodological concept), including the project management system for service provision.

Technical-Methodological Concept:

1. Strategy: Outline how the tasks will be performed in reference to the objectives. Justify the explicit strategy to provide the services.
2. Approach to Steering Measures: Explain the approach to steering the measures with the project team and partners and its contribution to the results-based monitoring system.
3. Project Management of the Contractor: Explain the approach for coordination with the International Alert team.
4. Personnel Assignment Plan: Provide a plan with explanatory notes listing all the proposed experts, assignment dates, and allocation of work steps.

Further Requirements:

• Cross-Cutting Themes: Ensure gender sensitivity in communication, avoiding stereotypes and common mistakes.
• Legal Registration: Must be legally registered in Lebanon.
• Reference Projects: At least 2 reference projects in communication and social media content management in the MENA region or Lebanon in the last 3 years.
• General Professional Experience:
  • 5 years in communication.
  • 5 years in web-based content management systems.
  • 3 years in dissemination of communication materials on social media channels.
  • 3 years in developing compelling content for online audiences.
  • Proven experience in managing complex sensitive projects.
  • Previous working experience with NGOs and humanitarian organizations.

How to Apply:

• Requirements on the Format of the Tender:
  • The structure must correspond to the ToRs.
  • The complete tender must not exceed 5 pages (excluding CVs).
  • CVs must not exceed 4 pages each and must be in English.
  • The tender must contain an explanation of how resources will be used.
• Application Qualification & Requirements:
  • Financial Offer (divided into project activities).
  • Strategy and plan for implementation.
  • CVs of personnel.
  • Offers must be submitted in English and signed.
  • The financial offer must be in USD, including taxes, and valid for at least 4 months.
  • Submit a copy of Ministry of Finance registration, if available, in PDF format. Please note that experts not registered with the MoF are eligible but will be taxed at a higher rate in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations
  • The technical offer has a weighting of 70%, and the price offer 30%.