Liberia: Consultant - Communications Strategy for the National Oil Palm Technical Working Group

Aug 10, 2018 | Conservation International
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Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International (CI) empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity. CI’s strategy is to serve as a trusted advisor to decision makers at all levels to help societies establish healthy, sustainable economies that secure nature’s ability to provide enduring human well-being.

CI accomplishes this through the four pillars of their work:

  • CI innovates to identify and implement practical and effective solutions to problems. This innovation takes place throughout the organization and relates to all aspects of CI’s work including science, field implementation, policy, markets, partnerships, etc.
  • CI promotes healthy, sustainable economies to achieve those impacts
  • CI demonstrates these impacts throughout CI geographies (including Liberia)
  • CI works through global agents of change, the major partners that help us amplify and achieve global impact

BACKGROUND

Oil palm production is one of the most important industries for the future in Liberia. Liberia is looking to enhance its preparedness as an exporter in the oil palm sector, based on its potential comparative advantage in growing conditions, strategic location and the rising demand for oil palm in the world. There are several actors that can influence the development of the oil palm sector in Liberia and determine whether it evolves into a sustainable model, or one that results in clearing of forests and other areas that had been identified for conservation, as well as being the source of social conflict. The National Oil Palm Technical Working Group (OPTWG) is a group of technical experts drawn from producers (including smallholders) in Liberia, the supply chain and investors, organizations with environmental interests, organizations with social interests and Government representatives, local communities and civil society organizations.

The National Oil Palm Technical Working Group (OPTWG) is the platform which aims to spearhead and support the responsible development of a strong, diversified and competitive oil palm industry in Liberia, consistent with recognized national and international commercial, operational, environmental and social laws and best practices. The overall objective of the OPTWG is to identify and support sustainable growth areas for the oil palm industry by promoting adequate policies and regulations, mobilizing value chain actors and coordinating among all relevant stakeholders.

Key specific objectives include:

  • Support the execution of projects that will generate concrete models on how the industry can create jobs and generate profits whilst meeting social and environmental safeguards
  • Support implementation of the TFA 2020 Action Plan and RSPO principles and criteria for
  • ·implementation of responsible palm oil production in Liberia
  • Improve communication and coordination in the sector through information sharing
  • Identify and communicating about issues that negatively impact the palm oil sector
  • Keep abreast of and communicate on strategic events and trends in the world oil palm industry
  • Provide guidance on how to ensure compliance with national standards
  • Develop national oil palm development strategy
  • Make recommendations on how to include communities in a relevant and accessible manner

SCOPE OF WORK (PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES)

a) Purpose and objectives

The National Oil Palm Technical Working Group in collaboration with partners seek to recruit a communication expert to develop and design a comprehensive communication strategy. The overall objective of the communications strategy will be to generate awareness and discourse in line with Liberia’s commitment to the Africa Palm Oil Initiative, the High Carbon Stock Approach, the Round Table on Sustainable Palm oil and other major drivers of sustainability within the palm oil industry

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Communications and Events Analyst of the Oil Palm Platform to deliver the Communications Strategy.

The communications specialist is required to:

  • To develop a multi-media communication strategy that will identify specific objectives for raising awareness amongst the target audiences.
  • To create work plan with clear deliverable outcomes, indicators and tools for the implementation of the strategy for a five-year period.
  • To develop an effective public outreach and visibility plan for targeted audiences
  • To develop effective information sharing and collaboration tools
  • Clear internal communications channels for members of the Oil Palm Technical Working Group

b)  Audience and use

  • Policy makers
  • Private Sectors
  • Smallholder Local famers and communities
  • Development partners
  • Smallholder local famers and communities – including women and youth.
  • Civil society – including organizations working with women and youth
  • Research / Academia
  • General Public