Interpeace
A. About the Finance for Peace initiative
Finance for Peace is a multistakeholder initiative by Interpeace that seeks to systemically change how private and public investment supports peace in developing and fragile contexts. It aims to create networked approaches that can co-develop the market frameworks, standards, political support networks, partnerships and knowledge required to scale up “peace finance” – investments that intentionally seek to improve conditions for peace.
Finance for Peace brings together investors, industry, norm setting entities, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), governments, peacebuilding and development actors, civil society and local communities to further peace-positive investments. By building/enabling the creation of a market for peace enhancing finance, it aims to reduce risks for both investors and communities and achieve outcomes that are bankable and advance peace. By identifying critical frameworks and developing standards and principles, as well as key knowledge and innovative solutions, the initiative will help to create true additionality to investors, as well as more inclusive development.
Working with partners, Finance for Peace will develop an iterative peace impact framework and connected set of peace standards for various categories of investment that can be used by the market to guide, measure and validate peace positive investment.
Finance for Peace is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and builds on feasibility research supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) on a new sustainable investment category called peace bonds. Finance for Peace has been incubated by Interpeace.
For more information on the Finance for Peace initiative, please see our website: https://financeforpeace.org/.
B. Description of the assignment and related tasks
The Finance for Peace initiative requires an external provider / providers (1 or 2) for strategic communications support for the initiative (one supplier for all deliverables preferred). This includes two project parts:
- Strategic communications support, with a specific financial media relations focus for deliverable 1.C (see below)
- Strategic communications support, with a specific focus on the Geneva media landscape, and media training in deliverable 2.B (see below)
C. Timeframe and Deliverables
Working closely with the Communications Advisor and the Finance for Peace team, the selected consultant(s) will be expected to provide the following deliverables:
Estimated timeline indicated after each deliverable
1. Scope: International (same or different service provider as below)
Strategic communications and international media relations
- Co-developing media messages for the initiative, jointly with the Finance for Peace team in workshops, matched with target audiences (November)
- Creating communication collateral based on the messaging, including an updated organisation boilerplate, strategic narrative, and other key texts about the initiative (to be used e.g. on the Finance for Peace website), based on the key messaging (November)
- Implementing the publication of a prominent opinion piece on Peace Finance published in a key international financial news outlet/s (November-December)
2. Scope: Geneva/Switzerland (same or different service provider as above)
Strategic engagement and media relations
- Adapting key messages and co-creating a Q&A for Geneva-based media engagement (November)
- Two sessions of media training for general news media (print/online, radio, TV), for organisational spokespeople: (November-December)
- Session 1 on general dos and don’ts of media engagement
- Session 2 on specific, initiative-specific key messaging
- Building Geneva-based media relations: (November-December)
- Introducing the initiative to a core group of media contacts, including International Geneva media, Geneva-based Swiss/local news media & Geneva/Swiss-based financial media
The exact allocation of working days within these time periods, corresponding to the deliverables specified above, will be jointly determined by the Finance for Peace team and the successful supplier during the kick-off meeting at the beginning of the assignment.
The service provider must be available for online meetings flexibly, within Central European Time (CET) office hours.
Intellectual Property
All information and materials related to the assignment, as well as the outputs produced while under the agreement, are a property of the Finance for Peace initiative. All original design files need to be handed over to Finance for Peace when they have been finalised.
D. Required qualifications and skills
- Demonstrable prior experience of carrying out similar work projects successfully
- Excellent strategic communications skills, in theory and practice
- Strong existing media contacts relevant to the assignment
- Project 2: Demonstrable experience of media training with references
- Excellent English language skills with strong copywriting
- Professional visualisation and design skills for websites
- Ability to deliver communications products and projects according to specific requirements and timeframes
- Sufficient knowledge of and interest in current affairs, international relations and social issues such as conflict prevention, peacebuilding and development finance
EDUCATION
- This may include studies in communications, journalism, advocacy or a related field, and can be supplemented by relevant professional experience
- Strong knowledge of communications project software, including relevant graphic design software, and online collaboration tools
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience delivering similar projects for international clients
- Experience working with cross-cultural teams
- Knowledge of peacebuilding and/or finance considered a strong asset
- Experience in working with international organisations and the private sector is an asset
Languages
Must be fluent in English, with French/German required for deliverable 2
Other requirements
Candidates should clearly mention their availability and ability to complete project(s) within the timeline
COMPETENCIES
- Strategic communications
- Media relations
- Creative copywriting/ writing for impact
- Media training (project 2)
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with extensive experience of dealing with senior executives
- Able to understand and translate complex concepts and topics into compelling messaging and communications products
- Excellent project management skills
- Experience in consulting and providing creative direction
- Strong cultural awareness
- Sensitive to inclusive and non-offensive communication
- Excellent organisational, communication, service skills and attention to detail
- Ability to autonomously establish workflow processes to deliver products
- Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and good judgment
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
Behavioural Competencies:
- Ability to be flexible, receiving feedback, managing the review and feedback process
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate and work with diverse teams
E. Reporting and feedback
The tasks listed above are to be performed in an interactive and iterative process in collaboration with staff from the Finance for Peace initiative. The service provider(s) will work under the direction the Finance for Peace Communications Advisor and the Global Communications Team of Interpeace.
F. Budget
As stated in Section C, the consultancy will run from November to December 2023. The exact number of workdays for the project/s will be determined jointly by the selected consultant(s) and the Finance for Peace team. When submitting an application, the consultant should provide an estimate of costs linked to the listed deliverables.
How to apply
Preparation and submission of proposals
Finance for Peace invites qualified service providers to submit a bid to provide the services described in this Terms of Reference.
All offers shall be prepared in English. Offers shall comprise of the following documents:
Technical Proposal
The technical proposal must include:
- CV (or CVs if a team), showing relevant experience from similar assignments, and at least 2 professional referees that can attest to the service provider’s work.
- A work portfolio, including examples of similar strategic communications / media relations work produced for clients previously.
Financial Offer
A separate Financial Offer, quoted in US dollars, EUR or CHF. This should include all aspects of the project as per the project timeline outlined above
The applications will be assessed based on both the technical and financial content and value for money. Deadline for applications is 7 November 2023.
Applications should be addressed to Finance for Peace Communications Advisor Emilia Hinkkanen: [email protected].
Closing date: 7 Nov 2023