Communications Coordinator – TEI Digital Connectivity in Central Asia (M/W) LOCAL CONTRACT

Mission description

Under the hierarchical supervision of the Team Leader, the Communication Coordinator will play a strategic role in ensuring the communication and visibility of the Digital Connectivity project in Central Asia. He/she will be responsible for developing and coordinating the project partners in implementing the communication plan, promoting the project’s activities among a wide array of targets including Central Asian authorities and counterparts, entrepreneurs in Central Asia and internationally, and the general public in Central Asia and Europe. The Communication Coordinator will work closely with the EU Delegation and the Digital for Development (D4D Hub) communication focal points to ensure coherency in the project visibility strategy. This position is based in Astana, Kazakhstan, and may include frequent travels abroad.

 

The Communication Coordinator will handle the following tasks:

 

1. Communication Planning and Strategy:

 

• Develop and consolidate the project’s communication plan.
• Produce the project’s communication plan and budget in consultation with the Project Management Unit (PMU), in line with EU, Expertise France and the D4D Hub guidelines.
• Facilitate training sessions for the project implementing agencies and staff, provide guidance and advice on communication-related actions.
• Ensure coherency and  visibility of project activities in communication efforts.

 

2. Digital Communication and Social Media:

 

• Manage the project’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Create and promote content for the project’s social media accounts.
• Manage the project’s website.
• Collect data for creating articles and newsletters in both Russian and English.
• Update the sections of the website.
• Design graphics for social media campaigns.

 

3. Content and Media Coordination:

 

• Coordinate and guide the development of coherent communication materials based on needs and event formats (brochures, leaflets, banners, etc.).
• Write and disseminate press releases in Russian and English, ensuring they reach relevant media outlets and journalists.
• Manage relationships with local media if necessary.
• Steer the development the project’s audiovisual activities, including filming and creating video reports and animations in collaboration with service providers.

 

4. Event Management Coordination:

 

• Establish a comprehensive framework for planning and organization of event-related activities linked to the project.
• Coordinate and organize events in line with the overall valorization strategy, including managing service providers at national and international levels.
• Support the project team in effectively implementing the communication strategy during occasional events.
• Ensure the communication and visibility of events and project activities is efficient and in line with EU, Expertise France and D4D Hub guidelines.

 

5. Relations with Beneficiaries and Stakeholders:

 

• Monitor and update the communication dossiers of beneficiaries.
• Monitor and update internal dossiers such as the photo library and video library.
• Ensure beneficiaries comply with the project’s communication rules.
• Support the valorization of beneficiaries’ activities.
• Ensure smooth internal communication within the Expertise France team
• Ensure coordination of communication activities with EF HQ communication department, other related French institutions (such as AFD, French embassy, etc.),the EU and the D4D Hub.

 

6. Subcontractor and Network Management:

 

• Manage a network of subcontractors which may include web agencies, graphic designers, and event producers in Central Asia.
• Ensure public and press relations with a wide range of stakeholders in Central Asia, including high-level officials, prominent businessmen, and entrepreneurs.

 

7. Monitoring and Evaluation:

 

• Provide monitoring and evaluation of the project’s communication activities (including activity reports, web metrics, audience statistics, press coverage, etc.).

 

This list is not exhaustive and the Communication Coordinator may be required to perform other duties as needed to support the project’s communication goals.

Project or context description

Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Digital Connectivity – Soft Pillar is part of the wider TEI on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia programme, funded by the European Union (DG INTPA) for a period of 4 years. The TEI additionally includes 1) a hard connectivity infrastructure pillar and 2) a Twinning instrument, which shall all together provide the conditions for safe and inclusive deployment of satellite connectivity across the region.

The TEI Digital Connectivity Soft Pillar is implemented by a consortium of leading European development agencies, including CFLA (Latvia), CPVA (Lithuania), e-Governance Academy (Estonia), Expertise France, and HAUS Institute (Finland). Expertise France is leading the consortium.

This action is implemented under the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub umbrella, a European platform aimed at strengthening efforts toward an inclusive, safe and sustainable digital world in partner countries.

The project aims to bridge the digital connectivity divide in Central Asia, through the development of an enabling, safe and inclusive environment for satellite connectivity use, with the overall objective of increasing equal access to basic public services and socio-economic inclusion. The project activities will be implemented with a regional approach and cover Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The TEI Digital Connectivity Soft Pillar will be implemented in four main specific objectives (SOs):

1. Policies and regulations: support in the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments for digital reforms including digitalization, connectivity and personal data protection;
2. Connectivity: improve access to public and private connectivity services and strengthen users’ capabilities to benefit from digital public services, with a specific focus on rural areas, gender equality and inclusion;
3. Digital innovation: foster the creation of a dynamic regional innovation ecosystem and support the development of local digital innovations, in particular satellite-based, to tackle local challenges.
4. Cybersecurity: support the development of harmonized cybersecurity frameworks and strengthen capacities of the industry stakeholders, as well civil society across the region.