Project Overview and Role:

NPI EXPAND Overview

The New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Expanding Health Partnerships (NPI EXPAND) project is a global five-year (2019-2024) U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that supports locally driven efforts to increase the availability and utilization of high-quality health and education services. In line with USAID's localization agenda, NPI EXPAND invests in new and underutilized local partners (NUPs) and strengthens their capacity to strategize, plan, and implement programs with USAID funds. Enhanced participation of capable local organizations to increase demand for and to deliver high-quality, high impact services will enable governments to meet crucial goals equitably and sustainably. NPI EXPAND also catalyzes opportunities to scale up innovative interventions by strengthening the capacity of NUPs with varying levels of capabilities and exposure to USAID.

 NPI EXPAND in Pakistan

In Pakistan, NPI EXPAND is implementing USAID Pakistan's Human Development Activity (HDA) to advance development, education, and health aims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. Pressing issues in these areas include low access to and use of high-quality education and health services, limited qualified personnel, equipment and supply shortages, security-related restrictions, and gender inequity. Through HDA, NPI EXPAND will support creative, locally driven solutions to improve education and health (FP/MNCH) in the border areas. The primary beneficiaries include the most disadvantaged women, girls, children, and newborns living in these areas. The project will provide grants and tailored assistance to local organizations in line with the following results:

• Intermediate Result 1: Access to and utilization of basic health and education services increased
• Intermediate Result 2: Quality of basic health and education services improved

  Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

NPI EXPAND HDA is seeking a short-term Communications Consultant to support NPI EXPAND HDA’s communications functions, focused on collecting lessons learned, photographs, developing short pieces for the website, helping with major stakeholder engagement activities, working with partners to ensure that USAID’s branding and marking requirements are adhered to, and ensuring that the Activity communications plan is updated and followed. The Consultant will coordinate with the project team, key stakeholders, and partners to organize and document project information including intervention activities and learning experiences. The Consultant will also help document and disseminate monitoring, evaluation and/or research findings, lessons learned and innovative approaches using various communications technologies and tools. This may include, but is not limited to, writing short website articles or blog pieces that highlight important project experiences, lessons, and/or achievements, and support the country team with select stakeholder engagement activities.

The Consultant will work with the Country Team Lead and other members of the Pakistan team as well as with the Country Activity Manager at Palladium HQ if needed. The position reports to the Country Team Lead and is based in Islamabad with travel to and within KP as required. Only Pakistani nationals living in Pakistan will be considered for this consultancy. 

 Period and Location of Performance

The period of performance is 30 working days starting from February 15-August 30 with the possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funding.

 Required Qualifications:

• Writing and producing project dissemination materials and communications documents such as: newsletters, fact sheets, blogs, web articles, presentations, success stories, documentation of activities, meeting and event reports and other communication materials as requested. This may include conducting meetings with NPI EXPAND HDA staff and grantees, field visits and review of reports to develop human interest and impact-oriented program success stories and case studies for the quarterly reports submitted to USAID.
• Coordinating with the MEL Specialist to capture learning and achievements in the NPI EXPAND HDA project.
• Collecting project photos, establishing a photo bank for the project and managing the picture archive.
• Preparing a brief(s) on all grants awarded by NPI EXPAND HDA.
• Developing (or supporting development of) a video documentary for NPI EXPAND HDA.
•  Reviewing material developed by grantees to ensure that USAID’s branding and marking guidelines for NPI
• EXPAND HDA are followed by all grantees and for all project documents.
• Ensuring that the project communications plan is followed and updated as needed.
• Supporting the development of material for events such as workshops and meetings.
• Other work as assigned.

 Qualifications

• BS/BA in Communications or Social Sciences is required.
• Familiarity with USAID’s regulations especially branding and marking, photo and video consent, etc., required.
• Strong connections with the media an asset.
• Working knowledge of MS Office required; photo and video-editing software is an asset.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Urdu; fluency in Pashto will be an added asset.
• Ability to present complex information to diverse audiences. Clear and effective written, oral communication and presentation skills, as well as demonstrated experience with report development and other communication material.
• Strong skills in copywriting and graphic editing a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel within KP province as needed and as requested by the Country Team Lead.
• Must be a team player.

 Company Overview:

 About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at [email protected] and we will be in touch to discuss.

 Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.

Application Instructions: Please visit https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/17982?c=palladium

Follow instructions to apply, including the submission of a CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.