Title:  Communications Adviser

Project:  Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice

Duration: Fixed, commencing October 2022- October 2024

Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands

Reports to: Team Leader

Background

The Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ) is the third program of Australian support to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) justice sector, being directly preceded by the Australia Solomon Islands Justice Program (ASIJP). Its goal is to work closely with SIG to enable justice agencies to maintain delivery of their existing, core activities while clearly identifying and engaging with fundamental problems and critical issues affecting their ability to contribute to stability and offer access to justice for citizens.

Subject to a finalised design, ASIPJ will be delivered through four key outcome areas:

i). improving core service delivery capacity;

ii). enhancing capacity for justice sector management and leadership;

iii). enhancing collaboration with state and non-state actors to improve access to justice, and

iv). increased sensitivity and responsiveness to those vulnerable to family and sexual violence. It is a four-year program with an option to extend to eight years.

ASIPJ aspires to be locally led, problem-oriented and learning driven. It will be pragmatic, practical, and adaptable, and will mainstream gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). Deloitte is the Managing Contractor, leading an exciting coalition for change that includes Adam Smith International, providing the Operations Hub; Ninti One, for its Indigenous expertise; and The University of Queensland, to support critical research and knowledge generation.

Role Dimensions

Overview

The Communications Adviser will provide support for both SIG justice sector communication activities and ASIPJ communications. The Adviser will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of ASIPJ’s communication strategy and plan, including its regular review and updating to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

ASIPJ’s communications work will support the partnership and strengthen collaboration of the Solomon Islands’ justice sector through the collection, collation and dissemination of justice sector information to the general public and relevant stakeholders, and by convening support for communication activities and events. The Communications Adviser will be based in the program office and will work across nominated SIG agencies.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Communications Adviser will undertake activities in the following key areas:

• Preparation of the ASIPJ Communication Strategy and Plan
• Lead the development and delivery of key communication outputs, including  those related to community outreach activities and public access to justice  information
• Provide convening support for communication activities and events
• Assist SIG counterparts with their communication activities

Preparation of the Communication Strategy and Plan

 The Communications Adviser will develop an annual Communication Strategy and Plan for ASIPJ in collaboration and consultation with a variety of stakeholders, including ASIPJ advisers, the ASIPJ management team, SIG counterparts and DFAT.

The Communications Adviser will be responsibile for the implementation of the Communication Strategy and Plan which will guide ASIPJ’s work with partners to publically profile and promote the goals, achievements, lessons and impact of ASIPJ and the Solomon Islands’ justice sector.

The Strategy and Plan, which will be revised annually, will, inter alia, contain the following:

• The purpose and objectives of the document;
• A strategic engagement strategy, detailing the various audiences/partners which ASIPJ will endeavour to target and the methods by which this will be done;
• The communications tools that will likely be employed by ASIPJ, which dependent on audience may include newsletters, articles, case studies, press releases, social media posts, podcasts, public outreach activities and relevant graphic or photographic material;
• The manner in which coordination and collaboration will be fostered amongst program partners in the communications space;
• An annual schedule of communications events and activities which ASIPJ and/or its partners may be involed in.

The Communication Strategy and Plan will be cognisant of the manner in which Solomon Islanders consume information and will pay particular heed to the rapid uptake of digital communication technologies in Solomon Islands, particularly the growth and popularity of social media.

Lead production of key communication outputs

 

Building on the work undertaken by former Australian-supported justice programs, the Communications Adviser will be responsible for:

•  Leading the development and delivery of key communication outputs identified in the Communication Strategy and Plan in collaboration with other stakeholders, particularly ASIPJ agency-based advisers;
•   Working with ASIPJ’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Adviser to draw on the MERL evidence base to communicate key program learnings and the impact of ASIPJ across the justice sector to relevant audiences;
• Working with ASIPJ’s GEDSI Adviser on finalising and implementing a nation-wide communication plan for ‘Step-by-Step’, Solomon Islands’ Justice Sector’s Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy, ensuring communication and coordination across agencies/ministries on its contents and implementation (expected to commence in 2023). Similarly, engaging with the GEDSI Adviser on advancing recommendations arising from the Family Protection Act 2014 (FPA) review (once tabled in parliament), specifically through assisting with the dissemination of review findings to relevant audiences, including justice agencies;
• Working with ASIPJ engaged external consultants, and/or Deloitte Technical Assistance, to produce analytical work and knowledge products, including through organising consultations with relevant Solomon Islands based stakeholders;
• Working with the ASIPJ Operations Hub to source private suppliers involved in producing communications products, devising contractual provisions for these relationships and monitoring adherence to contractual terms, including tracking milestones and assessing the quality of outputs;
•  In consultation with ASIPJ management and stakeholders from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, furthering the communication activities emanating from ‘Project Reindeer’;
• Quality assurance, through drafting and editorial inputs, of key ASIPJ and SIG agency written outputs, and assist where relevant with the dissemination activities relevant to these products.

Convening support for communication activities and events

 

The Communications Adviser will play the lead role on ASIPJ communication activities and events. This will include:

• Facilitating the convening of events with the ASIPJ team, relevant SIG stakeholders and DFAT. In particular, the adviser will act as the organiser and convener of a community of practice (CoP) of partners that are receiving Australian Government assistance in supporting access to justice activities. The purpose of these events will be to to share experiences, lessons learned and lay the foundations for future collaboration. This will entail organising regular CoP meetings and overseeing follow-up on activities arising from these meetings;
•  Ensuring close collaboration with the UNDP ‘Access to Justice’ Communications Specialist, and other relevant UNDP staff members, on issues related to the UNDP ‘Access to Justice’ project, so that there is coordination and the sharing of information between ASIPJ and the UNDP;
• Working with the MERL Adviser in conducting key learning events for different audiences; including the ASIPJ annual program reflection and review workshop (or similar).

Work with ASIPJ Partners on their communication products, acvities and events

 

The Communications Adviser will assist ASIPJ partner justice agencies – particularly the Magistrates’ Court, the Public Solicitor’s Office and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – in conducting their public outreach activities, helping to ensure that these events are coordinated, cost-effective and sustainable. The adviser will also identify communication gaps and weaknesses within ASIPJ’s SIG agency partners and, where requested, will work with them to improve their external communications.

This element of the terms of reference will involve:

•  Building on work conducted in 2021, and, working closely with the Magistrates’ Court and relevant ASIPJ advisers, assess the viability of linking agency outreach activities to rural court circuits and assist with developing a standard outreach package for use by SIG counterparts;
•  Where requested, review select ASIPJ partners’ communication policies (if applicable) and provide assistance to SIG officers on the communication components of their role (this is most likely to encompass Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the National Judiciary);
• Where requested, work with ASIPJ grant recipients on assessing their communication needs and assist them with their communication activities.

Other

 

• Promote the development of partnerships between Australia and Solomon Islands by actively assisting in identifying public diplomacy opportunities for DFAT in close collaboration with the Australian High Commission.
• Ensure communication materials adhere to DFAT public diplomacy and branding policies and Child Protection Guidelines, including when using images of children in any communications material.
•  Ensure that all communication activities adequately address and incorporate issues of gender equality, disability and social inclusion.
•  Other tasks as agreed upon.

In undertaking the above, the adviser will work in a collaborative manner with SIG counterparts, donors, advisers, civil society organisations, private-sector service providers and others. In particular, the adviser will maintain a collegiate and open working relationship with the DFAT justice and public diplomacy teams. The adviser will work closely with ASIPJ’s cross-cutting advisers, specifically, those working on professional development; GEDSI, MERL and the Justice Information Management System (JIMS).

Program Deliverables

 

1. Workplan: An individual annual workplan to reflect the contents of this TOR to be completed on a date to be agreed upon.
2. Exception reports: as required.
3. Exit report, one week prior to completion date: Outlining a concise situational analysis and a frank assessment of the challenges and successes of the adviser’s inputs. The Exit Report should contain recommendations for future ASIPJ engagement on communications issues.
4. Regular program reporting and communications-related reports: as required, including contributing to weekly program updates and briefing DFAT/others as requested.

All reports will be provided to the Team Leader, ASIPJ.

Reporting and Performance Management

 

The Communications Adviser will report to the Team Leader, ASIPJ, who will monitor performance and delivery of outputs in accordance with this TOR and with the adviser’s approved workplan.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant area (i.e., communications, public relations, journalism or similar).

Key Skills and Experience

The Communications Adviser will have:

•  Relevant experience in communications, marketing, journalism or similar.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated experience of delivering high quality written outputs with clear messaging and an ability to effecitvely craft messages for different audiences.
•  Applied experience in using the latest communication technology and social media to convey messages to target audiences.
• Experience in conducting convening activities/events and facilitating stakeholder inputs, discussions and engagement.
•  Regional expertise with knowledge of Solomon Islands and/or comparable Pacific Islands or developing country contexts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders including cross-culturally and remotely. Tok Pisin, Bislama or Pijin language skills will be an advantage.

COVID-19

ASIPJ team members need to adhere to COVID-19 policy requirements for the purposes of entry to Solomon Island government offices. This includes being double vaccinated.

How to apply

Please submit your application before 02 September 2022 11:59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to: hr.asipj@asipj.com.sb and copy Rami Alkhatib at Rami.Alkhatib@adamsmithinternational.com

Please use the following title: Application for Comms Adviser, ASIPJ Program

Applications should include two pages cover letter addressing the job specifications and relevant qualifications and experience and a CV of no more than four pages and two professional referees.

ASIPJ is committed to building a diverse team. Applications from Solomon Islanders, citizens of other Pacific island states or indigenous Australians are strongly encouraged, even where you do not meet all of the stated criteria.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, we encourage you to reach out to ASIPJ HR Team via hr.asipj@asipj.com.sb or call ASIPJ Office +677 26530.