The USAID Water and Sanitation project is working to lay the foundation for sustainable increases in access to safe and affordable water and sanitation services across Haiti. The project initially targets 5 cities/communes (Cap-Haïtien, Mirebalais, Les Cayes, Jeremie and Canaan) where it supports the scaling of water and sanitation services, with the goal of helping 250,000 people gain access to basic water services and 75,000 people gain access to basic sanitation services. In reaching these goals, the project focuses on its core values of- self-reliance, resilience and private-sector approach.

In the water sector specifically, the project is building the capacity of local water utilities (Centre Technique d’ Exploitation, (CTEs). These CTEs have been caught in a vicious cycle of poor service leading to loss of customers, lower revenues and worsening service. In almost all the partner CTEs, customer confidence and commitment is low. This is reflected in the general un-willingness of customers to pay for water services in some communities, high build-up of arrears on customer accounts, and vandalization of water installations, in some cases. To help them break free from this vicious cycle, the project is working with them to improve their management strategy, reduce non-revenue water, restore customer confidence, attract new customers, improve billing and increase cost recovery.
As part of the overall strategy to reverse these trends, the Project wishes to engage a Communications Specialist/ Consultant to help the CTEs in developing strategies and tools for effective stakeholder/customer engagements, roll-out implementation of CTE communication strategies, build internal capacities around the strategies, deepen customer understanding of their roles and responsibilities, improve cost-recovery and ultimately, assure sustainable water services delivery.

The objectives of this assignment are to:
• Build customer understanding and trust in the work of the CTEs;
• Create customer awareness around the dual responsibilities of both Parties (CTE and Clients) in assuring overall sustainability of water services;
• Support CTE cost recovery efforts;
• Develop public communication frameworks upon which CTEs can build, going-forward;

3. Tasks
i. Develop CTE Communication Strategies
o CTE Communication strategies would include a review of relevant sector reform legislations, analyzing institutional arrangements and roles for assuring sustainable service delivery. Outline the content issues that should be dealt with for each segmented stakeholder group, and the key messages to be communicated;
o It would also include strategies/ programs for communicating identified key messages to various institutions/stakeholders on their responsibilities under existing reform laws;
o It would also include programs and strategies to reach each level of stakeholders which shall include but not be limited to the use of ‘public participation’ mechanisms such as forums, and tools & channels such as: poster campaigns, newspaper insertions, newsletters, television documentaries, radio programs, internet-based information and advertising etc.
o Specifically relating to the public (existing and prospective customers) the strategy will include appropriate media and programs for both mass and focused customer communications. The strategies would target, among others, the identified challenges of illegal tampering of CTE installations, non-payment for services and overall impact on sustainability of CTE services, etc.

ii. Develop relevant CTE Communication tools and platforms
o The consultant shall prepare an outline of the proposed tools (posters, newspaper insertions, etc.) and messages with respect to the stakeholder segments identified;
o The consultant shall also support the development of audio communication tools such as audience -attractive generic jingles (which could be used by all CTEs);

iii. CTE Knowledge transfer
o Provide training to the CTE Teams to implement weekly radio communication programs to address identified issues, with public engagement through ‘call-ins’;
o Train and help the CTE Team to create a Facebook page transformed into a comprehensive information platform, intended to provide current and useful information to the population with the audio programs on podcast;
o Train and help the CTE Team by creating broadcast lists on other social media platforms such as WhatsApp, to increase customer engagement;
o Accompany CTE staff members in meetings with neighborhood committees;

The consultant should have the following basic qualifications:

Professional Qualification: At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject i.e. media studies, journalism, marketing, social sciences and civil engineering.
Professional Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in developing communication strategies and report writing. Good knowledge of the Haiti Water and Sanitation Sector Reform Law. Demonstrable ability to produce quality radio shows;
Language Skills: Proficiency in verbal and written French and Kreole is essential.
Other Attributes: Ability to plan, direct, manage, control and take initiatives independently, communicate fluently, work as a team member and a matured level of sensitivity and diplomacy in dealing with key stakeholders. Experience working with USAID projects and knowledge of USAID branding guidelines and style, required. Proficiency in MS Office, including MS Word and PowerPoint.

i. An inception report which demonstrates good understanding of the assignment and a proposed work plan;
ii. CTE Communication Strategy;
iii. CTE audio communication tools - high quality audience-attractive jingles (with voice-overs), with clear messaging which addresses relevant issues;
iv. Outline of posters addressing relevant issues - (security of CTE infrastructure, illegal connections, non-payment and sustainability, etc.);

• Cover letter
• Most updated CV,
• Academic Qualifications
Copy of previous/or current employment agreement or salary certification