Biodiversity Communication and Outreach Plan Consultancy

NOTE: Any questions or requests for clarification regarding this Terms of Reference should be submitted to procurement-desk@pactbelize.org and edapm@pactbelize.org

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                                                                                        TERMS OF REFERENCE

PROJECT: SAFEGUARDING FOREST AND WATER RESOURCES THROUGH STRATEGIC PROTECTION AND RESTORATION SOLUTIONS IN THE MACAL AND MOPAN RIVER WATERSHEDS

OUTPUT: NATIONAL VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREAS (VCCA) FRAMEWORK, ALIGNED WITH THE OECM, DEVELOPED AND LEGALLY IMPLEMENTED.

ACTIVITY: CONTRACT A CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH PLAN

RESPONSIBLE:  The NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY OFFICE

1. Background

As a low-lying developing state, Belize is highly vulnerable to the climate change impacts such as sea level rise, erosion, storm surges and flooding. A 2014 assessment categorized Belize’s vulnerability index to climate change as extremely high: country’s high risk to climate change based on its adaptive capacity linked to the vulnerability of the agriculture sector. Belize is ranking 9th on the list of 38 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF, 2014). The assessment highlighted the seasonally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, which on average, according to scientific reports, are becoming more intense each year because of human-induced global warming and higher sea surface temperatures. Belize is also highly exposed to other natural hazards such as flooding and drought, more pronounced in inland areas.  These can lead to infrastructure and economic losses, especially in agricultural and inhabited areas during the hurricane season. There has also been evidence that the average annual temperature of Belize has been rising and is projected to rise further. To effectively address these issues, the threat of climate change requires multilateral action from policy makers, technical experts, the private and public sector as well as local communities, in order to seek solutions and make changes to effectively adapt to climate change impacts. To reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to future climate risks and hazards Belize must devise mechanisms to adapt to the imminent changes affecting economic sectors, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has received grant funding from the Adaptation Fund (AF) for the project “Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation,” under the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) funding window. The goal of this project is to improve Belize’s long-term capacity to protect communities from climate threats posed by drought, unpredictable water availability, floods and improper wildfire management. The Project is being executed by PACT and will function as an on-granting mechanism for climate finance in country, targeting five interlinked project components:

• Component One: Safeguarding Forest and Water Resources through Strategic Protection and Restoration Solutions.
• Component Two: Combating Wildfires through Adaptive Management.
• Component Three: Creating Opportunities to Support Alternative Livelihoods.
• Component Four: Building National Capacity to Access Adaptation Finance.
• Component Five: Community Disaster Risk Management.

2. Justification

The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management (MSDCCSWM) through the Adaptation Fund’s “Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation” project is going to implement the sub-project entitled “Safeguarding Forest and Water Resources through Strategic Protection and Restoration Solutions in the Macal and Mopan River Watersheds.”
This sub-project forms part of Belize’s broader strategy to strengthen ecosystem-based adaptation by addressing water security, forest degradation, and climate-related vulnerabilities in two of the country’s most important watersheds. To support this initiative, PACT is seeking an individual to serve as a Communications Consultant to lead the design, coordination, and dissemination of a targeted communication and outreach plan that raises awareness of the sub-project's objectives, progress and results.

3. Objectives 

The consultancy aims to support the National Biodiversity Office in the development and dissemination of inclusive and accessible communication materials to strengthen the mainstreaming of the NBIO’s work, project findings and outputs. The communication approach should integrate multimedia content creation, community-level outreach and collaborative engagement with key stakeholders across the project area. Specific objectives of this consultancy include the following:  

1. Increase public and stakeholder awareness of the NBIO’s mandate and the sub-project's purpose, activities, and expected impacts through a range of tailored communication tools.
2. Develop and implement a Communication and Outreach Plan for the project area, ensuring messaging is culturally sensitive and accessible to a wide audience.
3. Socialize project outcomes with key stakeholders to promote understanding and continued engagement.
4. Support community consultation sessions and stakeholder engagement, including the preparation of relevant communication materials that facilitate informed participation.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will collaborate with the NBIO’s Communication Assistant and project team while maintaining close coordination with PACT’s Communications and Marketing Unit to ensure that broader project messaging aligns with procedures and communication guidelines. The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs in a timely manner:

Output 1: Inception Report

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documents, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the National Biodiversity Office Strategic Plan.
• Prepare an inception report detailing the proposed communication approach and engagement strategy, including a methodology to adhere to cultural sensitivities. This will include a detailed work plan and timeline, and map existing NBIO communication channels (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to identify how the proposed messaging will be integrated.

Output 2: Communication Toolkit

• Design and deliver a structured, user-friendly communication toolkit for national biodiversity priorities and project outcomes in a consistent and inclusive way. This should include a biodiversity messaging matrix aligned with the recently updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2035), National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan (2026) and audience-specific messages with inclusive language and cultural sensitivity guidance.
• Develop a media engagement package including press kit and templates for recurring digital content

Output 3: Awareness and Outreach Campaign

• Design and implement a biodiversity communications, education, and awareness campaign to increase visibility of NBIO’s mandate and project outcomes, utilizing an inclusive and age-tiered approach tailored to diverse audiences.
• Ensure integration of gender, youth, indigenous peoples and local communities within all outreach and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Adopt a multi-platform communication approach, including digital content (short videos, graphics, and social media campaigns).
• Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to guide the NBIO Communication Assistant and Project team to assess reach and engagement, disaggregated participation data, and produce periodic analytics reports.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future NBIO communication efforts.

Output 4: Stakeholder Sensitization

• Conduct a minimum of twelve (12) stakeholder outreach sessions focused on the project implementation area. Ensuring the sessions present project findings and national biodiversity priorities and facilitate informed participation.
• Gather stakeholder feedback to refine communication strategies and promote continued engagement.
• Ensure comprehensive documentation and collection of disaggregated participant data (e.g gender, youth, etc.)
• Integrate consultation findings into updated communication materials and strategic recommendations.

Output 5: Communication Capacity Development

• Conduct at least two (2) training of trainers (ToT) capacity building sessions with NBIO project staff on effectively communicating project outcomes, utilizing the materials developed under Outputs 2-4. The sessions should also equip staff to operate the short M&E framework for both current and future communication efforts.

All products shall be delivered in editable formats and aligned with NBIO and PACT communication protocols to ensure replicability.

5. Expected Outputs/Deliverables

• Output 1  - Inception
  • Approved Inception Report
  • Desk review findings
  • Proposed stakeholder engagement strategy
  • Detailed workplan and timeline
  • Mapping of NBIO communication channels
  • Completion Date: 10 days after contract signing
• Output 2 - Communication Toolkit
  • Comprehensive Communication Toolkit aligned to NBSAP
  • Messaging matrix
  • Audience-specific key messages
  • Inclusive language guidance
  • Media engagement package, including:
    • Press kit
    • Recurring digital content templates
  • Completion Date: 25 days after contract signing
• Output 3 - Awareness and Outreach Campaign
  • Communication campaign plan
  • Progress report
  • Multi-platform content assets
  • Integration of gender, youth, and IPs-LCs considerations
  • Communication Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework
  • Analytics indicators
  • Lessons learned brief
  • Completion Date: 40 days after contract signing
• Output 4 - Stakeholder Sensitization
  • Consultation Report
  • Documentation of a minimum of 12 outreach sessions
  • Stakeholder feedback with disaggregated data
  • Presentation of national biodiversity priorities
  • Integration of findings into communication materials
  • Recommendations
  • Completion Date: 45 days after contract signing
• Output 5 - Communication Capacity Building
  • Capacity-building report package
  • Final package submission
  • Completion Date: 50 days after contract signing
    

6. Payment Arrangement

• Output 1 - Inception
  • Completion Date: 10 days after contract signing
  • Payment: 15%
• Output 2 - Communication Toolkit
  • Completion Date: 25 days after contract signing
  • Payment: 25%
• Output 3 - Awareness and Outreach Campaign
  • Completion Date: 40 days after contract signing
  • Payment: 25%
• Output 4 - Stakeholder Sensitization
  • Completion Date: 45 days after contract signing
  • Payment: 15%
• Output 5 - Communication Capacity Building
  • Completion Date: 50 days after contract signing
  • Payment: 20%

7. Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• 
  Minimum of a bachelor's degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 
  At least three (3) years of relevant experience in mass communication, public awareness, media relations, or related communication functions.
• 
  Demonstrated experience in developing and/or implementing communication strategies or communication plans.
• 
  Familiarity with biodiversity conservation, environmental management, or ecosystem-based climate adaptation will be considered an asset.
• 
  Strong experience in education, community outreach, or stakeholder engagement is desirable.
  
  

 8. Skill Requirements

• 
  Excellent English writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• 
  Strong facilitation and coordination skills.
• 
  Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar graphic design and layout tools.
• 
  Cultural sensitivity and experience working with youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities within rural communities.
• 
  Strong interest in conservation, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity management is desirable.  
  

9. Evaluation Criteria and Scoring Matrix

Proposals submitted by candidates will be evaluated using a weighted scoring method:

• Technical Evaluation: 80% (80 points)
• Financial Evaluation: 20% (20 points)

Only candidates who achieve a minimum 70% (56 out of 80 points) in the technical evaluation will proceed to the financial evaluation.

10. Institutional Arrangements

The consultant will be responsible for reporting to the Project Coordinator for all correspondence related to this assignment. Overall supervision and strategic direction will be provided by the Director of the National Biodiversity Office. The NBIO Project Team will offer ongoing guidance and monitoring to ensure that all expected outputs are achieved. The consultancy will be carried out entirely on a remote basis.

The successful candidate engaged under this consultancy will be subject to applicable taxes payable to the Belize Tax Service Department in accordance with the laws of Belize.

• Local consultants will be subject to a 6% withholding tax.
• CARICOM consultants will be subject to a 15% withholding tax.
• International consultants will be subject to a 25% withholding tax.

These taxes will be applied in accordance with the relevant tax regulations of Belize and may be deducted at source where applicable.

11. Application Process

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Signed Letter of Interest - highlighting general experience and specific expertise to carry out this assignment.
2. Technical Proposal - describing technical methodology, level of effort, and approach for the consultancy.
3. CV (s) highlighting relevant experience.
4. Financial proposal - breakdown of professional fees and related expenses.

                                                             **Application deadline is 12 June 2026. **