TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultancy for Capacity-Building and Development of a Communication Strategy for Civil Society Organizations
Association Anika is seeking an experienced Communications Consultant to provide short-term capacity-building support to regional civil society organizations in Georgia, with a focus on strengthening their communication capacities and developing practical, effective communication strategy.
1. Background Information
The Non-Entrepreneurial (Non-Commercial) Legal Entity “Association Anika”, based in Georgia, was established in 1997 by parents of children with disabilities and has since developed extensive experience in promoting inclusive and sustainable social services for vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities.
Since November 2023, “Anika” has been implementing a European Union funded project “Civil Society Monitoring Public Administration Reform and Service Delivery” aimed at strengthening local civil society engagement in decision making on the local level, improving welfare service delivery and accountability, supporting dialogue among civil society and other relevant actors, and promoting the exchange of good practices in welfare services at local level. Through this and other initiatives, “Anika” works with local civil society organizations and other stakeholders to strengthen their capacities, contribute to the development of local welfare services and improve access to information for vulnerable groups.
2. Objective of the Consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the communication capacities of civil society representatives in targeted Georgian municipalities, particularly welfare service providers and initiative groups and to develop a joint communication strategy and action plan for effective engagement with local authorities and decision makers.
The consultancy will combine capacity building, participatory planning, facilitation and technical support. It will provide participants with practical knowledge and tools for effective communication with decision makers, constructive engagement with local authorities and coordinated communication in the field of welfare service provision.
The process will result in a jointly developed communication strategy and action plan reflecting the priorities, common messages, stakeholder landscape, communication tools, coordination mechanisms and planned joint actions identified by participating civil society actors.
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will implement a multi-stage process combining desk research, capacity building, participatory facilitation and technical drafting.
3.1. Preparation Phase
The consultant will:
- Review relevant background materials;
- Conduct targeted desk research on European practices in communication and cooperation between welfare service providers, CSOs and local authorities;
- Identify relevant European examples and case studies that can provide practical lessons for participants;
- Develop detailed agendas, methodologies and facilitation approaches for all planned sessions;
- Prepare training and workshop materials, including practical tools and templates to support participants in developing the communication strategy.
3.2. Capacity-Building Session
The consultant will deliver a practical and interactive half-day capacity-building session for civil society representatives, welfare service providers and initiative group members.
The session will focus on strengthening participants' knowledge and practical skills in communication and engagement with public authorities
Indicative topics will include:
- Key principles and approaches to effective communication with decision makers;
- The role of civil society organizations- welfare service providers and initiative groups in policy dialogue and service delivery;
- Communication approaches and practical tools for engagement with different audiences and objectives;
- Relevant European practices of coordinated communication in welfare service provision, case studies and lessons learned.
3.3. Communication Strategy Co-Creation Workshop
The consultant will facilitate a 1.5-day participatory workshop bringing together civil society representatives, welfare service providers and initiative group members to jointly develop the foundations of a communication strategy and action plan for engagement with local authorities.
The workshop will use interactive and participatory methods, including facilitated group work, stakeholder mapping, structured discussions, brainstorming and other appropriate facilitation techniques.
The consultant will ensure that the workshop produces clear and feasible recommendations to serve as the basis for drafting the strategy and action plan.
3.4. Drafting Phase
Based on the outputs of the co-creation workshop, the consultant will prepare a draft Communication Strategy and an Action Plan. The draft should clearly reflect the priorities and inputs agreed by participants during the workshop, align with the local context and practical realities and incorporate relevant lessons from European examples.
The consultant should ensure that the strategy is practical, realistic and suitable for implementation.
3.5. Online Validation Session
The consultant will facilitate an online validation session with relevant participants and stakeholders to present and discuss the draft Communication Strategy and Action Plan, collect feedback, and document participants’ comments and proposed amendments.
3.6. Finalization
Following the online validation session, the consultant will revise the Communication Strategy and Action Plan based on the feedback received, ensure consistency with the agreed priorities, and submit the final Communication Strategy and Action Plan to the contracting organization.
4. Deliverables
The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:
- Detailed agendas and methodologies for all consultancy sessions;
- Training and workshop materials, including presentations, templates and relevant European case studies;
- Delivery of one half-day in-person capacity-building session;
- Facilitation of one 1.5-day in-person participatory strategy co-creation workshop;
- Draft Communication Strategy and Action Plan;
- Facilitation of one online validation session;
- Final revised Communication Strategy and Action Plan.
5. Duration and Timeline
- Estimated level of effort: 8 working days.
- Indicative implementation period: Mid-October–November 2026, subject to procurement arrangements.
The estimated level of effort should cover preparation, desk research, development of methodologies and materials, delivery and facilitation of the sessions, drafting of the strategy and action plan, the online validation session, and finalization of the documents.
6. Location
- In-person sessions: Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Preparatory work, documents drafting, validation session: remote.
7. Required Qualifications and Experience
The consultant/expert should have the following qualifications and experience:
- University degree in social sciences, public policy, public administration, communications, development studies or a related field;
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in communication, capacity building, stakeholder engagement or related areas;
- Experience in delivering training, workshops or capacity-building activities using interactive methodologies;
- Demonstrated experience in designing strategies, communication planning processes or stakeholder engagement initiatives, preferably involving civil society organizations and/or public authorities;
- Understanding of the role of civil society organizations and welfare service providers in engaging with public authorities and participating in policy dialogue;
- Knowledge of relevant European practices in communication, stakeholder engagement and cooperation between civil society and public authorities would be an advantage;
- Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to turn workshop inputs into a clear and practical strategy and action plan;
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken;
- Knowledge of the Georgian language, context and local government environment would be an advantage.
8. Application Procedure
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by 11 October 2026.
Applications should be submitted by email to anikavacancy@gmail.com , with the subject line: Application for Communication Consultancy
The application should include:
- CV;
- Short description of suitability for the assignment, including relevant previous experience, particularly in communication strategy development and capacity building;
- Financial proposal for the consultancy, including all applicable costs and taxes, with the consultancy fee (honorarium) indicated separately.
Please note that Association Anika will cover the consultant’s round-trip airfare to and from Georgia in addition to the consultancy fee.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an online interview.