CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT AND STRENGHEN ROAM CAPACITY IN COMMUNICATION, LOBBYING & ADVOCACY WITH DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE THE AGRO-ECOLOGY/ORGANIC SECTOR IN RWANDA  

TERMS OF REFERENCE  

1. Introduction

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) is a National Umbrella Organization established in 2007 to respond to the needs expressed by different stakeholders in the agro ecology/organic sector (producers, farmers, processors, exporters and importers) to have an organized and more focused movement to spearhead the stimulation, development and promotion of the agro ecology/ organic sector in Rwanda. ROAM started to operate as a legally registered non-governmental organization in 2014. ROAM has a mandate to promote the agro ecology/organic sector in Rwanda and intervenes in activities related to raise awareness amongst the population on the benefits of agro ecology/organic agriculture, provide capacity building to organic value chain actors, advocate and lobby for the development of agro ecology strategy & organic policy   and related legal framework in agriculture sector in Rwanda, strengthen synergies and networking amongst the agro ecology/organic value chain actors.

ROAM’s Vision

Vibrant and Sustainable Organic Agriculture Systems that contribute to a Healthy environment, better livelihood, food security, Safe nutrition and a Growing consumer market.

ROAM’s Mission

Develop and Promote the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) as a Farming Method that Sustains the Health of Soils, Ecosystems and People. 

2. Justification

Communication is the lifeblood of any successful working environment in the organisation. The way information is generated and shared, determines the performance of   an entity. If there is no information sharing (plans, results, change, crisis management, interpersonal relations, etc), a formal organisation ceases to exist. ROAM as an umbrella organization is keen to have in place a strong communication strategy to be able to bring together both internal communication within ROAM, but also external communication with the organic sector stakeholders or persons that ROAM wishes to engage in the agro ecology/ organic sector to provide to them with right and updated information on organic agriculture but at the same time create synergies among them. 

 In addition to communication skills, advocacy and lobbying are also essential tools for advancing the development of agroecology and the organic sector, as they can influence policies, raise awareness, secure resources, and ultimately contribute to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Furthermore, following the organizational capacity assessment in governance and management systems carried out in February 2023, the report showed limited capacity for ROAM staffs in communication skills and lack of guiding document such as communication strategies/techniques that govern the organization in external and internal communication and some gaps in lobbying and advocacy have been also identified. To a greater extent, this has undermined organizational visibility hence limiting opportunities for networking, collaboration and support towards ROAM’s programs. Lack of strategic communication also undermined continuous participation and involvement of partners in ROAM’s processes, accountability and public relations. Furthermore, the staff lacks adequate communication skills and knowledge on how to systematically engage stakeholders, media and maintain public relations. Limited skills on lobbying and advocacy on the high-level stakeholders, donors, policy makers hindered the development and adoption of policies and strategies that enable mainstreaming the agro ecology/organic sector into National agricultural policies, programs and strategies.   

In line with the above, ROAM is seeking to engage a qualified expert or consultancy firm to provide expertise in communication, lobby and advocacy communication for leading the process of developing and designing communication, advocacy strategies/techniques. The expert/consultancy firm will also provide capacity-building to ROAM’s staffs  through training on constructive media engagement content and public relations, engaging policy makers through advocacy and lobbying towards the development and promotion of agroecology/ organic sector. 

3. Scope of the work

        3.1. Overall Objective

The overall objective of this commission / consultancy is to elaborate a communication and advocacy  strategies  for ROAM and to support ROAM’s staff in implementing these  strategies to enhance communication and advocacy skills for effective awareness raising and lobbying to enable  ROAM to achieve its mission related to the development and promotion of agro ecology/ organic agriculture   with  various stakeholders, donors, media houses, journalists, policymakers and implementers and grassroots community.

       3.2. Specific objectives

The Specific objectives of the strategies are as follows:

• To provide to ROAM ‘staff a standardized plan to interact with managers, colleagues, stakeholders and the public.
• To ensure that everyone involved has adequate information to communicate about ROAM, maintaining consistency in the workplace and preventing any ambiguity.
• To improve information sharing within ROAM and its stakeholders
• To create a supportive policy framework that encourages the adoption and expansion of agro ecology/ organic sector
• To increase the visibility of ROAM, its achievements and strengthen relationship of ROAM with different stakeholders including policy makers. 

4. Expected output/deliverables 

• Analysis of EOA stakeholders in Rwanda and in the Eastern Africa region, and how to reach them.
• Presentation of an inception report, showing the findings from the analysis, work plan, methodology and approaches and tools to be used during the execution of task
• Produce 5 year communication and advocacy strategies for ROAM
• Provide final clean version of communication and advocacy strategy
• Deliver trainings to equip ROAM staff with skills and knowledge on communication and advocacy.  
• Produce progress reports and final report within the agreed timeline. 

5. Requirement /Qualifications 

• Education/training: Have a Master’s degree in the following areas: communications, public relations, political science, international relations, journalism, or a related field can be advantageous. 

• Have at least 5 years of working experience in communication & advocacy area, with proven records.   

• Have at least 5 years of experience in developing Strategies (eg: communication and advocacy), and providing trainings with proven records of undertaken similar assignment.  
• Good understanding of agriculture sector, particularly agro ecology/ organic agriculture sector in the Rwandan context.
• Having proven records experience in digital platform and social media handle. Excellent communication and Writing skills in English  
• A one page write-up showing why the expert/ consultancy firm is most suitable for undertaking the assignment.

6. Timeline

The assignment will be undertaken in 25 working days during the period 3 months. 

7. Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

a) Technical proposal covering the following components: (font-family: Calibri, font-size:12, not exceeding 4 pages)

i. Their understanding of the assignment based on the terms of reference such as Interpretation of the objectives in the ToRs, critical examination of tasks and description and justification of the contractor's strategy for delivering the services put out to tender.

ii. Proposed methodology and approach for conducting the assignment.

iii. Proposed timeframe detailing the topics to be covered during training session, milestones showing how the communication expert’ previous experience matches the assignment objectives and their interest for the assignment

b) Financial proposal showing the total cost of conducting the assignment. (Font-family: Calibri, font-size:12, not exceeding 2 pages)

c) At least one sample report of a similar assignment conducted in the past three years.

d) CV with detailed background of the Expert with relevant supporting documents (including detailed work experience, accreditation certificate, details of similar assignments) (font-family: Calibri, font-size:12, not exceeding 4 pages) 

6. Deadline of submitting proposals

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above consultancy and can clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the indicated qualifications, then submit the above-mentioned documents to Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement at careers@roam.org.rw  with the subject heading: “CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT AND STRENGHEN ROAM CAPACITY IN COMMUNICATION, LOBBYING & ADVOCACY WITH DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE THE   AGRO-ECOLOGY/ORGANIC SECTOR IN RWANDA”. 

Deadline for applications is 30/10/2023; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further reviews. 

Done at Kigali, on 10^th, October 2023

Approved by:

Lise Chantal DUSABE

Chief Executive Officer