| |
Consultancy
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Public Relations and Awareness Specialist
Commercial Fruit Production: National Roll-out Phase
Background
To strengthen private sector growth and development by
increasing its productivity and competitiveness, the
Government of Lesotho is currently piloting a horticultural
sector development project with specific emphasis on
production of stone fruits such as apples, cherries,
apricots. The pilot project has been on-going since 2007 in
partnership with a major South African enterprise
specialized in horticultural production and marketing. The
pilot is a part of a World Bank financed Private Sector
Development Program, and executed by the Ministry of Trade,
Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing.
The pilot project is expected to be expanded into a
nation-wide program. In this process, technical input from
experts are sought to advise the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Security and other stakeholders.
Objectives Of The Consulting Assignment
- The objectives of the consultancy are to develop a
public relations and awareness campaign highlighting the
success of the pilot activities, and to attract local,
regional and international investors and entities to
participate in the national rollout of the pilot
projects, and to scale up production to commercial
levels.
- It is anticipated that the consultant will work
closely with existing project stakeholders to capture
lessons learnt, as well as challenges faced during the
preparation and pilot phases to prepare a PR and
awareness strategy and campaign to attract investors,
farmers and other interested parties to participate in
the national rollout program.
For details on the scope work, please visit:
www.psc.org.ls
Scope of Work
- The consultant will be expected to undertake the
following activities to support the development of a
national rollout program:
- Based on interviews with current project
stakeholders, capture success and challenges faced
during the pilot project;
- Develop concise message and theme for the PR and
awareness campaign;
- Formulate a detailed PR strategy and
implementation plan;
- Design awareness-raising and advocacy activities
target at the village levels to help identify
potential candidates for participation in the
national rollout program;
- Advise the MoAFS regarding cost/benefit and
recommendations with respect to the use of regional
and international media outlets to promote the
rollout program and to bring attention to potential
buyers and partners for the national rollout
program;
- Developing information materials (both hard copy
and electronic versions) to farmers and other
potential stakeholders;
- Organizing, preparing and participating in
meetings, workshops, radio programs, etc to solicit
inputs from stakeholders
Qualifications and Experience
- The candidate is expected to have experience in
public relations and community development within
Lesotho or South Africa. Special consideration will be
given to individuals with experience in public relations
and lobbying for the agricultural sector. Strong
communications skills required.
- A university degree or higher in the field of
marketing or public relations with practical work
experience in agribusiness or business is required, but
the selection of candidates will place emphasis on
practical experience in marketing or public relations.
Timing And Output
- In addition to the periodic reporting to the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the
consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- A comprehensive PR strategy and awareness strategy
with costed implementation plan.
- Timing: Plan for the national rollout is expected to
be initiated in 2010, with an actual implementation of
project activities to follow in late 2010/early 2011.
Recruitment
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security now invites
eligible consultants to submit applications for the
assignment. Applications including a comprehensive CV should
be delivered to the address below by Thursday 12 August,
2010 not later than 16:00hrs.
Director of Crops
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
c/o PSC Project
4th Floor LNDC Centre
Maseru 100
Attn: Mrs M. Mthokho |
