Communications Consultant for Technical Communications

This document summarizes the tasks to be performed under a consultancy to research, write, and coordinate editing and French and Spanish translation of a series of materials intended to market Lutheran World Relief (LWR) to audiences interested in its technical depth and expertise, including but not limited to foundations, U.S. government funders, peer agencies and research institutions.

This work is building on an internal communications audit that LWR conducted in 2011,working with the agency's New Business Development Unit (NBD) to enhance understanding of NBD's key audiences, assess the unit's communication efforts to date, and develop a communications plan for NBD-related materials and outreach.

LWR seeks one external consultant, who will be responsible for conducting the work and producing the final deliverables. S/he will be supported by relevant LWR staff, who will provide necessary background information, review and provide feedback on drafts, and provide other necessary support.

Consultant: One communications specialist, responsible for all deliverables.

Duration of Consultancy: Negotiable; Up to 25 weeks if consultant works part-time, or approximately 12 weeks if consultant is available to work full time.

Dates: Spring and summer 2012. Specific deadlines negotiable.

Founded in 1945 by U.S. Lutherans to respond to the humanitarian needs of post-war Europe, LWR today reaches millions of people around the world through its programs in emergency response and sustainable development. Motivated by faith and grounded in the Lutheran tradition, LWR reaches out to some of the world's poorest and most marginalized communities, serving people in need regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Driven by local needs and working with local partners, LWR focuses on underserved rural communities, with particular emphasis on improving livelihoods for small-scale farmers and on ensuring sustainability by strengthening local organizations' capacity. Core sector areas include rural agriculture, disaster risk reduction, water, health and livelihoods, emergency response, and civic participation, with programs implemented in approximately 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The majority of LWR's financial support comes from national Lutheran church bodies and Lutheran congregations and individuals in the U.S. This core constituency remains steadfast supporters of LWR, and the level of financial support from Lutherans has grown exponentially in recent years. However, in order to significantly scale up its work and increase its impact on poverty, injustice and human suffering, the agency has recognized a need to diversify funding sources and seek more grant funding, corporate partnerships, and other strategic leveraging opportunities. LWR has invested in additional staff to increase its capacity to seek these funds and partnerships, and needs to produce marketing collateral materials suitable to this audience, which highlight LWR's technical expertise, programmatic approaches and unique value-added in the field.

The agency's internal communications audit was the first step in this process. The audit resulted in four key findings and several recommendations building on these findings. The key findings are summarized below.

 LWR is not well-known to this audience. We need to work to expand our visibility domestically and internationally.

 Relationships are key. Strong proposals and supporting materials are important, but existing relationships with funders and partners can be what tips the scale in our favor.

 Sectoral information is most highly valued by these audiences, followed by mission, vision and values and results and impact data. When asked specifically whether they need information by sector or by geographic area or both, the majority of respondents answered both. Anecdotal success stories were rated least important.

 LWR's faith-based identity can be an asset in terms of values, reach and leveraged funding, though it is critical to be clear that we do not evangelize.

In support of these findings, Lutheran World Relief seeks to hire an external consultant to research, write, facilitate the editing process and facilitate French and Spanish translation of a series of technical communication materials highlighting LWR's work, expertise and impact. Specific deliverables are outlined below.

III. Purpose and proposed activities

Purpose: To create marketing materials focused on LWR's technical depth and expertise inorder to better market the organization to potential funders, corporate partners and peer organizations.

Working under the direction of the Director for Creative Services, with input and guidance from the New Business Development team, the consultant will accomplish the following.

Deliverables are listed in priority order.

PHASE ONE:

1. Coordinate with translators and LWR staff to finalize French and Spanish translation of six main sector profiles (LWR and Agriculture; LWR and Water; LWR and Climate; LWR and Emergency Response; LWR and Health & Livelihoods; LWR and Civic Participation).

2. Research and write copy, and coordinate editing and translation of sub-sector profiles and cross-cutting issue profiles (approximately 14 2-page profiles). Establish a timeline and production schedule and ensure that deadlines are met and projects stay on schedule.

3. Research and write copy, and coordinate editing and translation of region and country profiles (approximately 12 2-page profiles). Establish a timeline and production schedule and ensure that deadlines are met and projects stay on schedule.

PHASE II: As a possible second phase of this consultancy, manage French and Spanish translation of 3-6 practitioner guides for LWR field staff.

LWR estimates that the consultancy will encompass a total of approximately 400 hours.

Consultant must be available to work at least 20 hours a week during the term of the contract.

The ideal consultant will have the following qualifications:

1. Excellent writer and editor, experience with writing clear, engaging material for a professional relief and development audience

2. Experience coordinating translation of written materials (note: French and/or Spanish language skills are an asset, but are NOT required for this consultancy)

3. Familiarity with international relief and development issues. Experience working with non-profit international relief and development organizations strongly preferred.

4. Familiarity with foundations, USAID or other institutional funders strongly preferred.

5. Ability to work with a diverse team, integrate feedback from multiple points of contact, and keep projects on schedule.