REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 

Communication Specialist (Local)

[Ref No: MV-MONPI-370890-CS-INDV] 

The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Maldives Urban Development and Resilience Project” (MUDRP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) includes to develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy which identifies the information needs of stakeholders, identify key messages, campaign activities, and timely delivery of the project’s communication components. The communications Specialist will be responsible for production of communication and awareness materials, write-ups for project purposes and coordinating public awareness. The services are required for a period of 2 years from the commencement of the works with potential extension based on performance and need. The expected start date of the assignment is October/November, 2023.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: www.planning.gov.mv.

The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide a CV including information that demonstrates that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, Public Administration, Journalism Marketing or any other project related relevant field.
2. At least Seven (7) years of work experience in the field.
3. Strong practical and technical background in use of professional graphic designing software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop.
4. Experience in donor funded projects will be an added advantage.
5. Experience in public presentation and information dissemination to the public will be an added advantage.
6. Experience in developing concepts, storyboards and production of short video spots, animations, GIF’s and other multimedia materials will be an advantage.
7. Good understanding of new and evolving technologies and digital platforms is an asset.
8. Strong understating of Social Media applications Such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. 

The successful individual must be willing to work for extended periods without direct supervision.

In addition, the individual’s reputation of integrity and impartiality routed in independent from third parties shall be considered.

The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their ability.

The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project’s portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of actions.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraph, 3.17 of the World Bank’s ‘Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers’(Procurement in Investment Project Financing- Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016 Revised November 2017 and August 2018), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment:

3.17 Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:

d. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of:

i. the preparation of the TOR for the assignment;

ii. the selection process for the contract; or

iii. the supervision of the contract, may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.

The individual will be selected based on the qualification and experience, in accordance with the procedures set out in the 'The World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers- Procurement in Investment Project Financing- Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, Revised November 2017' and August 2018’ as per the Financing Agreement of the project.

Successful candidate will be paid an all-inclusive monthly fee in the range of MVR 30,240 to MVR 34,740 depending on their qualifications and experience.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours- 08:30 to 1400hrs (local time)

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by no later than 1300 hours Maldivian time on 14^th September 1300hrs, 2023.

Infrastructure Department,

Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure,

Ameenee Magu, Maafannu Male’, 20392,

Republic of Maldives.

Email: [email protected]

   CC:  [email protected]