African Centre of Meteorological Applications for
Development
Terms of Reference
Seeking Consultant for Communication Strategy Development
1.0 Background
The African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD)
is an inter-governmental organization whose aim is to facilitate the use of
meteorological (weather and climate) information in development. To ensure
this, information must reach the end-user in a timely manner, usable format
and at the right frequency. These must be accompanied by a user-feedback
mechanism.
ACMAD thus needs to have in place, a communication strategy that reflects
current trends in communication, appropriate use of technology and a post2015 development agenda, given the near conclusion of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG).
ACMAD is currently responsible for the overall coordination of the African
Development Bank funded Institutional Strengthening of African Climate
Institutions Project (ISACIP) that involves ACMAD, Centre Regional de
Formation et d’Application en Agrometeorologie et Hydrologie Operationnelle
(AGRHYMET), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate
Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC), Southern Africa Development
Community- Climate Services Centre (SADC-CSC).
The ISACIP Project has three components as follows: Production of climaterelated information, Capacity Building and Project Coordination. The
component on the production of climate-related information includes the
development of a communications strategy for the project. As part of the
development of this strategy, three media workshops were planned and
conducted to incorporate views of National Meteorological and Hydrological
Services, journalists and the general public at large. The three Media
Workshops were held in Congo Brazzaville (2012), Nairobi, Kenya (2013) and
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (2014) respectively. The main recommendation from
the last Media Workshop is that ACMAD should take the lead and implement
the consensus model (figure 1) agreed upon at the workshop by submitting it
together with the findings of the Small Groups (to be submitted to the selected
consultant) as part of the terms of reference to the consultant who will design
the Communications Strategy.
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Inventory of Networks
ACMAD
Climate
Dissemination
Platform
Regional
Platform
National
Platform
Africa
Africa
Association of
Networks
IGAD, SADC,
ECOWAS,
CEEAC, COI,
UMA….
INVENTORY OF NETWORK
Name of Network
Policies of Network
Operational Areas
Services provided
Target users
Profit orientation
Duration of Work
Type of Work
Financial Sources
Common Interests
Feed back mechanisms
Country
MET DEPT focal Point
Figure 1: Consensus Model from the third Media Workshop
2.0 ACMAD
The Conference of Ministers of the United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa (UNECA) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
created the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development
(ACMAD) in 1987 for the purpose of improving the understanding of
atmospheric and climatic processes, providing a meteorological watch and
early warning system, promoting the training of African Scientists,
identifying and solving urgent regional climatic problems and contributing to
strengthening capabilities of national meteorological services. It started
operations in 1992 in Niamey, Niger. It has a mandate over the whole of
Africa.
The vision of ACMAD is making Weather, Climate and Environment
resources for Sustainable Development.
The mission of ACMAD is the preparation of weather and climate
information and products, with a view to promoting sustainable
development of Africa in agricultural production and food security,
integrated water resources management, public health, new and renewable
energy sources, public safety and natural disaster risk mitigation and
environmental conservation.
The Centre accomplishes this mission, through enhancing capacities of
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), Universities
and research institutes of the 54 African states in the following domains: 1)
weather forecasting and climate prediction; 2) monitoring of climate
conditions and early warning (e.g. extreme events); 3) technology transfer
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(telecommunications, computing and rural communication); 4) applied
research.
ACMAD’s objectives are to:
1. Enhance African countries/NMHSs capability to understand, anticipate
and manage the impacts of weather and climate fluctuations to support
the achievement of sustainable development and poverty reduction
2. Provide advanced notice on potential weather and climate related
hazards and information for the implementation of policies for
vulnerability reduction and adaptation to climate variability and change
3. Improve forecasts and provide user oriented information & products
4. Consolidate weather/climate monitoring efforts in Africa to better
understand the African weather systems (e.g. monsoon)
5. Facilitate exchange of information, experience and expertise; and
strengthen sustainable institutional mechanisms
3.0 Purpose and Objective
The purpose of this assignment is for a consultant to make use of the
outcome of the three already conducted ISACIP Media Workshops, ACMAD’s
mandate, mission, vision, network of partners, existing meteorological
information communication networks and any other relevant materials, to
develop a communications strategy. The strategy should reflect current trends
in development, bearing in mind the development of a post-2015 development
agenda, and ensure ACMAD is responsive to the needs and expectations of
stakeholders (e.g. rural farmers, commercial farmers, tourists, Farmers’
Association, Other users who can pay for the information, policy makers,
Disaster Managers, Water Managers, Agricultural Extension Officers, Health
workers, Energy organizations, etc).
4.0 Scope and Focus of the Assignment
The scope and focus of the assignment is to develop the communication
strategy that could also be used as the basis for the renewal of the 20162021 ACMAD Strategic Plan. A functional multi-level system that
considers issues at continental, regional and national level is envisaged.
The strategy should have the main recommendations of the workshop
properly incorporated. The implementation should emphasize how the
recommendations will be implemented and how the main concerns of
stakeholders will be taken into account. This should include examples of
tools or devices, channel of communication and format of the information
to be communicated. A well-structured feedback system should also be in
place.
4.1 Review
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Activity: Review of the outcomes of the Media Workshops and
organizational documents relating to communications, structure, finances,
staff, management, history and policies of ACMAD.
Aim: To identify current status of communications and also of the
organization.
4.2 Interviews
Activity: Consultations with ACMAD staff, members of the Board of
Governors and other relevant stakeholders, either by in-person interview
or phone-interviews.
Aim: To identify current status, future challenges and individual
recommendations
4.3 Development
Activity: Development of the Communications Strategy should consist of
the following among others;
 Background
 Situational Analysis - SWOT analysis
 Strategic analysis or priorities
 Implementation Plan – includes metrics to assess progress
made in the attainment of the strategic priorities
Aim: To have a plan in place, containing realistic proposals for relevant
topics including the above mentioned ones.
4.4 Contents of the Strategy
Activity: Implement a roadmap to Communication Strategy
methodology
The strategy should include the consensus model agreed upon at
the third Media Workshop (see figure 1) and clearly address the
following issues among others
 Identification of the target audiences and feedback mechanisms
 Determination of the information to be provided – what is the
message
 Identification of the communication channels (e.g. radio,
television, mobile phone, social networks, newspaper, bulletins,
website, etc) and timing
 Detailed Budgeting
 Monitoring and Evaluation
Aim: To ensure the strategy meets the needs of the stakeholders
5.0 Roles and Responsibilities
ACMAD will be responsible for
 Actively engaging with the Consultant during the assessment
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 Identifying stakeholders and relevant documents as needed
The Consultant will be responsible for
 Actively engaging with staff, Board members and other
stakeholders through appropriate methods
 Providing the Director General of ACMAD with monthly progress
updates
 Production of the Plan in accordance with the requirements and
timeframes of the Terms of Reference.
 Presentation of the Plan to the Director General and staff. This is to
ensure the plan is fully understood and embraced by the parties
involved.
 Completing the project within three months.
6.0 Qualification/Consultancy Requirements
 Expertise and experience in Information, education/training and
communication
 Expertise and experience in strategic planning
 Good knowledge of ACMAD and Meteorological Services in Africa,
including networks of their partners and the World Meteorological
Organization system
 Proven excellent communication and facilitation skills
 Expertise to merge initiatives and programs to optimize resources
 Highly motivated and committed to the values of transparency and
integrity
7.0 Application process
Applications (in English or French) must be sent by email to
dgacmad@acmad.org and copy bllamptey@gmail.com by close of business
(1700 UTC) on February 19, 2015. It should contain a cover letter outlining
motivation and summarizing relevant experience, curriculum vitae with full
description of applicant’s profile and experience, a proposed work plan and
budget.
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