Background

Rikolto in East Africa is seeking an experienced Strategic Communication Consultant to design and operationalize a Regional Strategic Communication Framework aimed at strengthening positioning, visibility, internal collaboration and behaviour change communication across Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Rikolto in East Africa (Rikolto EA) works with food system actors to build inclusive, competitive and sustainable food markets. The regional team (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo) seeks to strengthen its strategic communication in order to:

• Sharpen regional positioning and visibility
• Align messaging with global Rikolto priorities
• Strengthen behaviour change communication (nutrition, youth inclusion, sustainable agriculture)
• Improve internal communication and knowledge flows between country teams and the International Office

To accelerate these priorities, Rikolto EA will engage an external Strategic Communication Consultant.

Objective of the assignment

The consultant will design and support the operationalization of a Regional Strategic Communication Framework that:

• Improves positioning and visibility across East Africa
• Strengthens internal collaboration and alignment with the International Office
• Equips staff with practical tools, templates and skills for consistent, high-quality communication

Scope of Work

The assignment will include the following components:

1. Diagnostic & Insight Generation

• Conduct a rapid communication audit (strategies, channels, brand use, content, analytics, workflows)
• Interview relevant staff and selected stakeholders (programme teams, partners, youth groups, farmer organizations, donors/media)
• Map priority audiences, value propositions, narratives and tone of voice (French, English and Swahili)

2. Strategy & Planning

• Develop a Regional Strategic Communication Framework (max. 25 pages) including goals, KPIs, audience segmentation, narratives, channel mix, editorial approach, content pillars, resourcing and a 12-month roadmap
• Develop a Visibility & Branding Plan aligned with Rikolto brand guidelines and relevant donor requirements (e.g. EU visibility where applicable)
• Propose a practical internal communication approach to strengthen cross-country collaboration

3. Tools, Content & Capacity Building

• Produce a Messaging Toolkit (elevator pitch, talking points, boilerplates, FAQs, media bios)
• Develop templates and playbooks (social media calendar, media pitch template, event communication checklist, consent forms, C4D mini-guide for behaviour change campaigns)
• Produce 3–5 flagship communication assets (e.g. case stories, positioning brief, donor-ready presentation deck, short social video script/storyboard)
• Facilitate 2–3 practical workshops (French/English/Swahili) on storytelling, media pitching and analytics
• Provide on-the-job coaching to designated communication focal persons

4. Measurement & Handover

• Develop a Communication M&E Framework including KPIs, baseline snapshot, dashboards and reporting cadence
• Deliver a final handover package including a 90-day action plan and implementation guidance

Duration & Level of Effort

• Contract duration: approximately 12 weeks
• Level of effort: 20–30 consultancy days
• Up to two regional field missions (subject to security and approval)

Governance & Reporting

The consultant will report jointly to the International Office Communication Manager and the Rikolto EA Regional Communication Lead. Bi-weekly virtual check-ins and milestone reviews will be organized.

Required Profile

• Minimum 7 years of experience in strategic communication for international NGOs or social impact organizations
• Proven experience in strategy design and implementation support
• Strong skills in audience segmentation, narrative development, media relations and digital communication
• Experience in agriculture, food systems, youth or nutrition is an asset
• Familiarity with East Africa media landscape
• Fluency in French and English required; Swahili is a strong asset
• Understanding of donor visibility requirements (EU, DGD, GIZ, WFP, etc.)

Ethical Standards

The consultant must adhere to Rikolto’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding and data protection standards. Ethical storytelling and informed consent are mandatory.

Intellectual Property

All materials produced under this consultancy will become the exclusive property of Rikolto.

• Conduct a rapid communication audit (strategies, channels, brand use, content, analytics, workflows)
• Interview relevant staff and selected stakeholders (programme teams, partners, youth groups, farmer organizations, donors/media)
• Map priority audiences, value propositions, narratives and tone of voice (French, English and Swahili)
• Develop a Regional Strategic Communication Framework (max. 25 pages) including goals, KPIs, audience segmentation, narratives, channel mix, editorial approach, content pillars, resourcing and a 12-month roadmap
• Develop a Visibility & Branding Plan aligned with Rikolto brand guidelines and relevant donor requirements (e.g. EU visibility where applicable)
• Propose a practical internal communication approach to strengthen cross-country collaboration
• Produce a Messaging Toolkit (elevator pitch, talking points, boilerplates, FAQs, media bios)
• Develop templates and playbooks (social media calendar, media pitch template, event communication checklist, consent forms, C4D mini-guide for behaviour change campaigns)
• Produce 3–5 flagship communication assets (e.g. case stories, positioning brief, donor-ready presentation deck, short social video script/storyboard)
• Facilitate 2–3 practical workshops (French/English/Swahili) on storytelling, media pitching and analytics
• Provide on-the-job coaching to designated communication focal persons
• Develop a Communication M&E Framework including KPIs, baseline snapshot, dashboards and reporting cadence
• Deliver a final handover package including a 90-day action plan and implementation guidance

• Strategic communication
• Strategy design and implementation support
• Audience segmentation
• Narrative development
• Media relations
• Digital communication
• French fluency
• English fluency
• Swahili (strong asset)

• Minimum 7 years of experience in strategic communication for international NGOs or social impact organizations
• Proven experience in strategy design and implementation support
• Strong skills in audience segmentation, narrative development, media relations and digital communication
• Experience in agriculture, food systems, youth or nutrition is an asset
• Familiarity with East Africa media landscape
• Fluency in French and English required; Swahili is a strong asset
• Understanding of donor visibility requirements (EU, DGD, GIZ, WFP, etc.)