Provision of Technical Assistance to Support the Cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Eswatini

This assignment aims to provide technical assistance services to the NAO/ACMS for coordination and implementation of EU programmes funded under the 11th EDF, by liaising with project teams, the European Union Delegation, line Ministries and projects beneficiaries.

The services to be provided by the Contractor are essentially:

• Support ACMS and EUD in ensuring smooth implementation of EU funded programmes and projects and provide quality control in accordance with the PRAG requirements (drafting of the annual work plans, preparation of tender dossiers including Terms of References, project proposal/logical frameworks, evaluation of tenders/calls for proposal, award of contracts, contract management) ;

• Support ACMS staff with the conducting of quality checks of EU funded project documentation, such as progress reports, tender documents, evaluation reports, financial documents and other relevant documents as per project requirements ;

• Advance on the draft guidelines initially prepared by the EUD and then launch a Call for Proposal for the Energy grant component under the Support to Agriculture Value Chains via Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Investment in Eswatini programme;

• Support EUD/MEPD in developing communication and visibility activities and assist the organization of communication and visibility events to promote both the EU assistance and the EU Delegation according to the EUD communication and visibility strategic calendar ;

• Provide the EUD with relevant social media content for their Website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and online communication, in particular to promote the European Year of Youth during the course of 2022 as well as other identified issues within the EUD strategic calendar (e.g. Climate Diplomacy weeks, 16 days of activism); contribute/review the communication and visibility strategies of the ongoing EU funded projects in terms of social media.

The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa with a land area size of 17,364 square kilometres and a population of about 1.148 million, with 76% living in rural areas. The country is classified as a lower middle-income country with an estimated GDP per capita of about USD 3,894.

Strategic policy framework: the overall country’s development strategy efforts is informed by the National Development Strategy (NDS), which is a 25-year national development framework, running from 1997-2022. The national Vision guides the NDS and it states: “By the year 2022, Kingdom of Eswatini will be in the top 10% of the medium human development group of countries founded on sustainable economic development, social justice and political stability”.

The EU supports the Kingdom of Eswatini’s efforts towards an inclusive and sustainable growth through a programm approach focusing on:

• Agriculture was regarded as crucial to eradicate food insecurity and has considerable potential to contribute to the country’s economic development.
• Social protection was assisted to develop a comprehensive system, to fight poverty and make sure no one is left behind.
• Support measures and the support to civil society and human rights project

The global objective is to contribute to the implementation, monitoring, coordination and visibility effective and successful of the cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The specific objectives are : - Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to absorb and manage EU assistance through the strengthening of the managerial and operational capacities of the MEDP/ACMS acting as NAO of the 11th EDF. - Mobilize specialized expertise to meet specific needs in the priority areas of cooperation between the EU and Eswatini, including the communication and visibility of the current EU assistance and EU Delegation social media outreach.

Project management, procurement, financial management: a. Quality control of EU project documents ensured b. Monitoring of EU programmes (11th EDF) including standard guidelines developed, and procedures and tools operational c. Financial/administrative checking of EU funded project documentation, preparation of financial reports d. Sound contractual and financial projects management of ongoing EU projects and programmes e. Launch of Energy Call for Proposal and award of the contract to the successful beneficiary

Communication and visibility: a. Visibility events organised b. Finalise an EUD strategic calendar, linked to International days, along with a proposed plan of communication and visibility activities c. Elaboration of visibility material (printed, online, videos/movies, t-shirts, bags, notebooks, etc.) d. Improved digital media e. Social media content provided for EUD website/Facebook/twitter

Support ACMS and EUD in ensuring smooth implementation of EU funded programmes and projects and provide quality control in accordance with the PRAG requirements (drafting of the annual work plans, preparation of tender dossiers including Terms of References, project proposal/logical frameworks, evaluation of tenders/calls for proposal, award of contracts, contract management).

Support ACMS staff with the conducting of quality checks of EU funded project documentation, such as progress reports, tender documents, evaluation reports, financial documents and other relevant documents as per project requirements Advance on the draft guidelines initially prepared by the EUD and then launch a Call for Proposal for the Energy grant component under the Support to Agriculture Value Chains via Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Investment in Eswatini programme.

At least Master's Degree, preferably in engineering, project management, agriculture, economics, natural sciences, social sciences, development studies or related field, or, in its absence, equivalent professional experience in project management and/or engineering of at least 8 years.

Proven excellent oral and written communication, analytical, presentation and report writing skills in English.

At least six (6) years’ work experience in the sector related to the Lot

• Successfully completed minimum one EDF-funded assignment, as team leader and two assignments as project management expert in ACP countries, - Proven experience providing technical assistance for the implementation of development projects under indirect management modality (including support for procurement and/or management of grant scheme and /or programme Estimates) in accordance with EU/EDF procedures;

• Must be computer literate and competent in MS Office specifically in Word processing, Spreadsheet applications and PowerPoint presentations.

Experience in Sub-Saharan countries would be considered as an advantage

Support EUD/MEPD in developing communication and visibility activities and assist the organization of communication and visibility events to promote both the EU assistance and the EU Delegation according to the EUD communication and visibility strategic calendar.

Provide the EUD with relevant social media content for their Website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and online communication, in particular to promote the European Year of Youth during the course of 2022 as well as other identified issues within the EUD strategic calendar (e.g. Climate Diplomacy weeks, 16 days of activism); contribute/review the communication and visibility strategies of the ongoing EU funded projects in terms of social media.

Education Master’s degree preferably in information technology and communication, journalism, public relations or any other qualification related to the assignment, or, in its absence, equivalent professional experience in to social media, communication and visibility of at least 4 years.

Proven excellent oral and written communication, analytical, presentation and report writing skills in English.

• At least three (3) years’ work experience related to the Lot.

• Proven experience of at least two (2) assignments over the past five (5) years, in design and implementation of social media awareness campaigns (provide links).

• Experience in at least l (one) assignment in the last three (3) years as an expert in the field of social media, communication and organising events with international/national organizations.

• Must be computer literate and competent in facilitation and communication applications.

• Experience of working in Southern African context would be considered an advantage