CALL FOR PROPOSALS
(TERMS OF REFERENCE)
BRANDING AND MARKETING CONSULTANT
REGULATED SUBSTANCES AUTHORITY
1 BACKGROUND
1.1 The Government of Saint Lucia has passed legislation to regulate the production and use of controlled substances on the island. To achieve this, in July 2019, the Government of Saint Lucia appointed a Cannabis Commission to review the current laws on cannabis and make recommendations for a new regulatory framework to inform the development of Cannabis in Saint Lucia. Based on the recommendations of the Commission, Cabinet by Conclusion approved the drafting of a policy, legislative and regulatory framework for the development of a Cannabis Industry in Saint Lucia.
1.2 The regime governing the industry will be contained in two separate pieces of legislation. An initial piece of legislation created the Regulated Substances Authority. The Regulated Substances Authority will, among other things, make final decisions for the allocation of licences.
1.3 A Policy for a cannabis industry has been developed and approved, and a bill specific to the cannabis regime is also under development with a view to completion and enactment early in the 2024 calendar year. This piece of legislation will deal with all aspects of the cannabis regime.
Among other things, it will:
1.3.1 Create a Medical Cannabis Advisory Council;
1.3.2 Regulate the cultivation, distribution, manufacture, transport, import, export, and sale of industrial hemp and medical cannabis;
1.3.3 Regulate the sale of Class One Medical Cannabis (can be obtained without a prescription);
1.3.4 Licence medical practitioners to prescribe Class Two Medical Cannabis;
1.3.5 Licence pharmacists to dispense Class Two Medical Cannabis;
1.3.6 Create a regime for inspections and monitoring.
2 ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE
2.1 The Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act and Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act was amended to adequately empower the Rehabilitation of Offenders Board and allow adult possession of not more than 30 g of cannabis respectively. In December last year, the Minister with responsibility for the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act by (SI 208 of 2021), allowed for the cultivation of not more than four cannabis plants within a dwelling house.
2.2 The Cabinet of Ministers has also appointed a Cannabis Taskforce with the mandate to develop and implement a cannabis regulatory framework which is fit for purpose, balancing the public
health of the society while providing adequate mechanisms for the sustainability of the industry. The Cannabis Taskforce developed a revised framework for the cannabis regime to be established in Saint Lucia and received endorsement from the Cabinet of Ministers for the development of legislation consistent with the endorsed framework.
2.3 The Attorney General’s Chambers has, with the guidance of the Taskforce and other stakeholders, developed a Regulatory Substances Authority (RSA) Bill and a Cannabis Bill to establish, implement, support and regulate a cannabis industry in Saint Lucia.
2.4 As part of the CCEDM consultancy project, a consultant visited the island between August 5th and 12th 2023 and was party to a number of meetings with stakeholders linked specifically with the regulatory framework. During the week in question, meetings were held with officials of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, The National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility, the Forensic Lab and Officials of the Ministry of Health. In September 2023 the consultant presented the framework for regulations for the industry to the Government of Saint Lucia. The Ministry, upon receipt of the deliverable from the consultant, requested that the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards and the Steering Committee expand the framework and engage respective consultants as required to develop the regulations for the industry.
2.5 The Ministry of Commerce has commenced the process to engage consultants to develop the Regulation for cannabis, consistent with the framework developed.
2.6 In November 2023 the Regulated Substances Bill was presented in Parliament and passed before the lower house.
2.7 The Regulated Substances Authority now oversees the finalization of the RSA Regulations and the Cannabis Bill.
3 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGULATED SUBSTANCES AUTHORITY
3.1 The Regulated Substances Authority Act established a body known as the Regulated Substances Authority (RSA). The structure of the RSA will include the following key positions: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technical Officer, Corporate Secretary and Chief Licencing Officer, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, Substance Director, Director of Communications and Outreach, Director of Administration and Human Resource, Director of Finance and Director of Legal Affairs, among others.
3.2 The RSA will be a body corporate relying on its own resources to deliver its mandate including strategic planning, financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards, and reporting in accordance with both Government and international legal requirements.
4 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
4.1 The Board of Directors of the RSA is seeking to engaged a suitably qualified individual or company on a short-term consultancy to develop a branding and marketing strategy. The selected person or company will be directly supervised by the Board of the RSA.
5 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 BRANDING
5.1.1 On the advice of key stakeholders, identify or develop a suitable brand identity for the RSA which shall include the creation of a logo, colour scheme, tagline(s)/motto, letterheads, relevant imagery, internal and external communication templates and other thematic expressions and necessary branding concepts.
5.2 PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
5.2.1 Establish social media profiles and networks consistent with the brand of the RSA, theme and identity of the RSA.
5.2.2 Work closely with key stakeholders on communications, advocacy and awareness of all RSA activities. This includes the development, launching and dissemination of program materials, human interest stories, factsheets, infographics to key stakeholders through relevant media channels.
5.2.3 Develop a stakeholder engagement plan in accordance with the RSA operations and other relevant documents associated with the RSA; and undertake any other processes and procedures necessary to ensure successful stakeholder engagement and management.
5.2.4 Collaborate with printing press and marketing professionals to produce samples of printed or video graphics about the RSA.
5.2.5 Develop website user flows and user interfaces for use in the RSA website.
5.2.6 Develop procedures, guidelines, and good practices on a range of knowledge and communications products.
5.2.7 Design outreach strategies.
5.3 MARKETING
5.3.1 On the advice of key stakeholders, identify or develop a suitable marketing strategy to market Saint Lucia, the RSA and the industries it regulates as attractive points for investment in Saint Lucia.
5.3.2 Developing billboard concepts, advertising graphics, marketing concepts, PSA, Jingles and other paraphernalia, specified by the CEO or Board of Directors of the RSA.
5.4 OTHER DUTIES
5.4.1 Perform any other duties as required by virtue of the key deliverable listed below or otherwise related matters as requested by the CEO or Board of Directors of the RSA.
6 EXPECTED KEY DELIVERABLES
The consultant will be responsible for identifying or developing a suitable brand identity for the RSA, its logo, colour scheme, tagline(s)/ motto and letterheads consistent with the branding plan as well as billboard concepts, advertising graphics, marketing drives, Public Service Announcements, Jingles and other paraphernalia consistent with a marketing plan and strategy which will market Saint Lucia, the RSA and the industries it regulates as attractive points for investment in Saint Lucia.
7 LOCATION.
The Consultant may work remotely, but may be required to attend stakeholder meetings or other engagements relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the engagement.
8 REMUNERATION
8.1 An attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience and skills will be offered over the term of the consultancy with emoluments made in tranches in keeping with an agreed payment schedule according to deliverables.
CALL FOR PROPOSAL
Interested eligible candidates must provide a proposal to indicating that they are qualified to perform the services; and providing a proposed means, processes and timelines to satisfy the above deliverables to the following address:
Chairperson,
Regulated Substances Authority
Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs
4th floor Heraldine Rock Building
Castries
Saint Lucia
Or electronically:
chairman@rsa.govt.lc and info@rsa.govt.lc
Applications must include the following format and content:
- A brief covering letter (maximum 1 page); and
b.A résumé (CV) of no more than 5 pages, showing personal details, work experience, and education, along with the names of three work related references.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: OCTOBER 14TH 2024.
Note: unsuitable candidates will not be acknowledged. Applicants whose minimum qualifications and experience conform to the Terms of Reference will be short-listed and invited to attend an interview for further consideration.
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