Request for Proposal – Provision of Consultancy Services for Technical Support to the Malawi Government Communication Service (GCS)

Consultancies

[swpm_protected for=”5-6-7″]

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
ISSUE DATE: 10th JUNE 2024
PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE MALAWI GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION SERVICE (GCS).
PROCUREMENT REF: MACRA/IPDC/ADMIN-MGCS/2024/06/06

1. Background

The Government of Malawi recognizes the critical role of effective communication in governance, public service delivery, and national development. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, enhancing the government’s communication services is imperative to ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. To this end, the Government of Malawi, through MACRA, seeks to procure consultancy services with specialized expertise to provide technical support to the Malawi Government Communication Service (GCS). GCS would ensure effective communication between the government and the public.

2. Objectives:

The communication strategy should achieve the following objectives:

  1. Enhance Awareness: Clearly communicate government policies, initiatives, and services to enhance public awareness and understanding.
  2. Boost Engagement: Increase public and stakeholder engagement through targeted communication efforts.
  3. Consistency and Effectiveness: Maintain a consistent and effective communication presence across all platforms, enhancing coordination and collaboration among government departments and agencies in their communication efforts.
  4. Transparency and Accountability: Promote government transparency and accountability through regular updates and open communication.
  5. To establish guidelines for communication strategies, messaging, and channels.
  6. To ensure compliance with ethical standards and best practices in government communication.

3. Scope of the assignment:

The selected agency will be responsible for:

  1. Research and Analysis: Evaluate current communication strategies, define target audiences, and identify communication barriers.
  2. Strategy Development: Formulate comprehensive strategy with clear objectives, key messages, and effective use of various communication channels.
  3. Implementation Planning: Outline a detailed implementation plan with resource allocation, timelines, and responsible parties.
  4. Stakeholder/Government Relations Management
  5. Partnerships & Acquisition Strategy
  6. Training and Support: Provide necessary training to government communication teams and offer support during the initial implementation phase.

4. Deliverables:

The project deliverables include:

  1. Communication Strategy Document: detailed document outlining the proposed communication strategy.
  2. Implementation Plan: A plan for deploying the strategy, including timelines and resource allocation.
  3. Production of learning Materials and Workshops: Materials and workshops designed to train government communication personnel.
  4. Evaluation Framework: A framework to measure the effectiveness of the communication strategy.
  5. Increase its media coverage. The primary objective is to maximise positive and quantifiable media coverage for the Government of Malawi through the following:
    1. Publications of 2 to 3 X media statements every week (2 of these must have a regional focus and must alternate every week to cover all regions),
    2. facilitating a minimum 1 X radio interview weekly,
    3. facilitating a minimum 2 X TV interviews monthly,
    4. identifying and help execute at least 6 media launches during the period
    5. liaising with the media monitoring agency to assess and monitor AVE impact
    6. attending weekly team meetings for planning purposes, and
    7. produce a weekly and a monthly impact report (s).
    8. Submission of a Final Comprehensive Report: A report summarising the strategy development process, key insights, and future recommendations.

5. Qualifications and Experience:

a) Education

  • A minimum of a master’s degree in organizational Behavior/Development, Human Resources Management, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Business Administration or Political Communications.

b) Professional Experience

  • At least 10 years of experience in organizational development, human resources management or organizational structuring, preferably working with public entities.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and skills in assessing organizational structures, designing effective processes and implementation of change initiatives successfully.

c) Skills and Competencies

  • Analytical Skills: ability to analyze complex organizational issues and data to identify trends and patterns.
  • Problem-solving skills: have strong problem-solving abilities to address challenges within the organization effectively.
  • Communication skills: ability to communicate information clearly and build relationships with clients and stakeholders.
  • Project management skills: have strong project management skills to plan and execute organizational development initiatives successfully
  • Change management skills: be adept with managing change within organizations by facilitating transitions and overcoming resistance.

6. SELECTION METHOD

The consultant shall be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Best Selection (QCBS) procedures as set out in the Public Procurement Guidelines.

Consultants are therefore instructed to submit their proposals in two separate labelled envelopes, one for the Technical Proposal and another one for the Financial Proposals.

7. TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR’S)

Interested consultants or their representatives may obtain detailed Terms of Reference TORs) upon written request through the following email: procurement@macra.mw

8. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Completed copies of proposals in sealed envelopes clearly marked “PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE MALAWI GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION SERVICES (GCS).” should be submitted in two separate envelopes one marked “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” and the other one marked “FINANCIAL PROPOSAL” and must be delivered to the following address:

THE CHAIRPERSON
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee (IPDC),
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA)
Area 13
Green Heritage House
P.O. Box 30214
Capital City
LILONGWE 3
E-mail: procurement@macra.mw

9. PROPOSAL OPENING
Opening of proposals shall take place in the Boardroom at MACRA Offices, in Area 3, Green Heritage House, P.O. Box 30214, Capital City Lilongwe 3 on Wednesday, 10th July, 2024 at 10:00 hours and bidder’s representatives and the general public who wish to attend the ceremony are most welcome.

10. MACRA is however, not bound to accept the lowest or any proposal but reserves the right to exercise choice of lowest evaluated, substantially responsive proposal and can cancel the procurement proceedings at any stage.

[/swpm_protected]