TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

National Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Saint Lucia

(Full-time contractor to be embedded in the Department of Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia) 

 

GCF Readiness Project: Enhancing Saint Lucia's National Adaptation Plan Process through the Elaboration of Sector Strategies and Action Plans, a Strengthened Evidence Base, and Improved Private Sector Engagement

 

1. Introduction

 

The Government of Saint Lucia has recently been awarded a Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme Grant[1] (also referred to as a GCF Readiness Project) to assist in advancing the country’s National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process. This grant will be implemented with the support of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) as the nominated Delivery Partner, which is the Secretariat of the NAP Global Network.

Saint Lucia initiated its NAP process in 2017 and finalized its NAP in 2018. Since the launch of the NAP, the government has developed—and the Cabinet of Ministers has approved—several key policies, strategies and action plans outlined in the NAP. These include the development of four Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and Action Plans (for water, agriculture, fisheries, and resilient ecosystems) and a chapter specifically dedicated to Saint Lucia’s Limits to Adaptation for the priority sectors within the NAP. In 2022, using the process to date as a guide, an action plan for the health sector was also developed, for which the strategic health priorities and objectives have been endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Notwithstanding the efforts to date, more work remains to be done to ensure the successful implementation of the actions identified within the NAP. The awarded readiness grant seeks to further enhance the country’s 10-year goal under the NAP process by addressing the outstanding priority sectors, information gaps, and barriers that remain.

 

Outputs under this project include:

• Strengthened capacity of decision-makers in NAP priority sectors to develop and implement sectoral adaptation strategies and action plans and to access climate finance.
• Increased understanding and communications of coastal climate hazard impacts, vulnerability, and risk.
• Enhanced participation and engagement of critical private sector actors in NAP implementation through the delivery of a Private Sector Engagement Strategy action plan.
• Increased prospects of GCF approving and funding projects/programs proposed under each Sectoral Adaptation Strategies and Action Plan

 

2. The Position

 

The National Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will support the GCF Readiness Project by facilitating learning, knowledge sharing, dissemination and communications, and stakeholder engagement. This position will be based in Saint Lucia, and the candidate will work closely with the National Project Coordinator, the project management team (i.e., IISD, Saint Lucia’s Department of Sustainable Development (DSD), National Designated Authority (NDA), the Government of Saint Lucia, and other project stakeholders. The selected candidate will be responsible for facilitating dialogue, coordinating outreach efforts, developing communications materials, and promoting the active involvement of key stakeholders in the NAP process. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in community engagement, communications, and climate change adaptation.

 

3. Tasks and Responsibilities

 

The successful candidate’s key responsibilities are to provide communications and stakeholder engagement support across all outcomes of the GCF Readiness Project in Saint Lucia, including but not limited to:

• Facilitating learning, knowledge sharing, and communications.
• Facilitating stakeholder engagement and knowledge dissemination sessions and peer-to-peer learning sessions with key relevant stakeholders.
• Developing knowledge products and other audio-visual materials to ensure the successful dissemination of readiness outcomes.
• Liaising with National Designated Authority (NDA), for timely uploading and dissemination of knowledge products on the climate change website.
• Coordinating with the Information Officer for DSD to ensure alignment with existing communication mechanisms on climate change to secure sustainability beyond this project.
• Collaborating with the National Project Coordinator for GCF Readiness Project, Saint Lucia, and other project team members to ensure the alignment of messaging and activities, including with existing initiatives.
• Working closely with the National Project Coordinator for the GCF Readiness Project to facilitate regular internal knowledge-sharing events.
• Coordinating with the IISD communications team on sharing program lessons and results internationally.

 

Please note that the DSD and IISD Resilience team works across multiple time zones. We are looking for someone with a “can-do” work attitude and the ability to work autonomously while proactively engaging with other team members and partners, particularly those working in a remote and/or hybrid work environment.

 

4. Deliverables

 

Specific deliverables for the National Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will be determined monthly, based on a performance agreement between the project lead/focal point in the DSD and IISD.

 

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the following:

• Monthly progress reports on stakeholder engagement and communications activities with supporting documentation, including:
  • Stakeholder engagement plans, including a schedule of activities and identified stakeholders.
  • Reports on stakeholder consultations, workshops, and community meetings highlighting key findings and recommendations.
  • A communications plan for the project and communications materials, including brochures, infographics, videos, social media content, and campaign materials.
  • Documentation of communications efforts, including reports on dissemination channels used, reach, and impact.

 

5. Qualifications 

 

The National Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist should possess the following qualifications:

 

Education and Travel

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in communications, climate change, knowledge and learning, public relations, or another related social science discipline.
• Availability to travel within Saint Lucia for community engagement and workshops.

 

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in journalism, public relations, or communications.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating stakeholder engagement, delivering knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning sessions, and designing/implementing learning programs.
• Experience with communications planning involving key messages, social media campaigns, and media outreach is an asset.
• Experience and comfort working with online content management systems and website monitoring are assets.
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation and conservation is considered a strong asset.
• Experience working with think tanks or other research-intensive organizations, especially focusing on international development, climate change, conservation, and/or sustainable development, particularly in the Global South, is an asset.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

 

Skills

• Strong writing and editing skills for different purposes and audiences, including social media posts, long-form articles, report summaries, and promotional material.
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, including an ability to coordinate meetings and events.
• Good communication skills, event facilitation skills, and the ability to work interactively with stakeholders (including private sector and civil society groups).
• Photography and video-editing skills are considered strong assets.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Analytical capacity and the ability to become familiar with new topics quickly. 
• Able to work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including working across different project partners.  

 

Behavioural Competencies

• Results-focused, able to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of the results.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work comfortably across different cultures, be inclusive, positive, and communicate effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in written work.
• Ability to work independently and self-manage deadlines and deliverables.

 

Location: Saint Lucia

Duration of Assignment: 28 months

Work Nature: Full time (Contractual)

Remuneration: The estimated remuneration for this position is dependent on experience and qualification and ranges from XCD 42,000 to XCD 54,000 annually. In addition, local transportation reimbursement can be arranged as per the project policies and guidelines.

Start date: September 1, 2023

Closing date: July 28, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST  

 

All submissions must be in English. Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. https://iisd.bamboohr.com/careers/606 

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation

 

Candidates from the wider Caribbean region are encouraged to apply. A modest relocation package may be considered for the selected candidate.

 

Appropriate work authorization for Saint Lucia for the selected candidate can be supported if required. 

 

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year. Interviews will likely take place during the last week of July, and the selected candidate will be expected to start on September 1, 2023.

 

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQ+ to apply for the position. 

 

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

 

#LI-Remote

 

[1] LCA-RS-005: Enhancing Saint Lucia's National Adaptation Plan Process through the Elaboration of Sector Strategies and Action Plans, a Strengthened Evidence Base, and Improved Private Sector Engagement, approved February 2023.