National Consultant in Communication to support the development of advocacy materials on Codex targeting key stakeholders

Contract

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National communication expert to support the development of advocacy materials on Codex targeting key stakeholders

Contractual Arrangement: External Consultant Contractual duration: 6 weeks Schedule: Full time as from 01 October 2021 Primary Location: Port Louis, Mauritius Organization: AF_MUS Mauritius

Introduction The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body that develops food standards at the international level. Global food standards such as those developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission are increasingly important in a world with an ever-growing international food trade to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food for all and promote fair practices in the food trade and to allow more countries to participate in international food trade.

Codex texts (standards, guidelines and codes of practice) are voluntary in nature but they are referenced in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO-SPS Agreement) as the benchmark standards in the event of a trade dispute. They are also an invaluable source of science-based standards readily available for countries to use to enhance food safety at country level.

Effective engagement in the work of Codex is important for all countries to ensure that Codex texts take account of global, regional and national needs, perspectives and data. Member countries are therefore encouraged to actively participate and contribute to the standards setting process of the Codex and a broad range of issues,

Recognizing the importance of Codex, Mauritius became a member of CAC in 1971 and the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security became the designated Codex Contact Point (CCP) for Mauritius. A National Codex Committee has also been established since 2010, with multi-sectoral representation from both the public and private sector. There is need however to increase awareness, visibility and widen interest to codex related activities at the national level in order to secure long term political and economic support and effective engagement of all relevant stakeholders.

Objectives of the consultancy To develop advocacy tools targeting key stakeholders in Mauritius that will contribute to enhancing awareness, visibility and understanding of the role and importance of codex in setting of standards and advancing national goals related to health, food, trade and development.

Assigned duties Under the supervision of the CCP and the World Health Organization Mauritius Country Office, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

i. Conduct a desk review and analysis of existing Codex awareness and advocacy tools available at the national and international level. ii. Develop targeted advocacy materials and messages based on an analysis of the stakeholders (high level policy and decision makers, industry, scientific community, governmental ministries, consumer organisations, etc) in Mauritius and communication methods to be used for awareness raising for the various audience. iii. Develop a promotional video to boost visibility of codex activities of the Codex Contact Point, the national codex committee and to highlight the importance of codex for advancing national trade and health objectives in the country. iv. Propose appropriate communication methods to be used for the various target audiences (high level policy and decision makers, scientific community, academia, industry, consumer organisation, consumers, donor and partner agencies etc.). Develop a promotional video to boost visibility of codex activities of the Codex Contact Point, the national codex committee and to highlight the importance of codex for advancing national trade and health objectives in the country. v. Facilitate, in consultation with the CCP and the World Health Organization Mauritius Country Office, a validation workshop on the draft advocacy messages and materials as well as proposals on the appropriate communication methods for each target group. vi. Prepare and submit a report of the assignment.

Deliverables of the consultancy i. Draft and final versions of Advocacy messages and materials in English, French and Mauritian Kreol. ii. Recommendations on appropriate communication methods for the different target groups. iii. Facilitation of a validation workshop, iv. Technical report of the assignment.

Required qualification

Education: A first University degree in Mass communications, media studies, development communication or any other qualifications in the related field. Desirable: An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in the areas mentioned above.

Experience : At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in their field of expertise.

Functional competencies and skills i. Demonstrates professional competence to meet responsibilities and task requirements, and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results ii. Extensive experience in video production, graphic design and in developing advocacy materials iii. Good track record in provision of technical advice on communication methods to be used for the various target audiences (high level policy and decision makers, scientific community, academia, industry, consumer organisation, consumers, donor and partner agencies etc.) iv. Excellent skills to facilitate validation workshop on the draft advocacy messages and materials as well as proposals on the appropriate communication methods for each target group,

Language Good command of both written and spoken English and French.

Remuneration: Remuneration will be aligned with the classified requirements of the Terms of Reference, related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO Salary Scale for locally recruited staff.