PR & Communications Consultant At European Blind Union

1. Context:

Supported by the European Commission, PARVIS is a joint project with member organisations of the European Blind Union (EBU) to raise awareness on blind and partially sighted citizens’ (BPS) rights within Europe. The project involves altogether 9 PARVIS countries: Slovakia, Germany, Montenegro, France, Lithuania, Portugal, and Spain, in addition to Netherlands and Sweden, which are partners within the PARVIS consortium.

PARVIS countries jointly with EBU, will organise a coordinated awareness-raising event in 10 countries, on 9^th of May 2022, of which the target are decision makers. The event will address situations commonly faced by BPS citizens across Europe in regard to political participation. It will also reaffirm visual impairment organisations’ belief in European values, as well as the need for a “social Europe” and EU-harmonised rights-based legislations to enhance full inclusion of blind and partially sighted citizens.

A simultaneous media action will be launched in at least 10 national online and/or paper newspapers, focusing on the need for equal and accessible political participation. In collaboration with the members concerned, the PARVIS team will produce a unique visual, e.g., infographics, campaigning material for social media or other relevant content, with the same message. To anticipate media coverage, participating organisations will rely on harmonised language elements and receive media training online (in particular on delivering on-the-spot messages in the media). They will also rely on the translated visual and audio-visual materials developed by the team.

2. Content of the assignment:

EBU is looking for a consultant to provide strategic support in the planning of the decentralised event, including its format, for it to gain the maximum amount of attention from the media and decision-makers. The consultant will be responsible for planning and providing online media training for the participating organisations, so that they will be able to deliver on-the-spot messages in the media about the event. Furthermore, he or she will assist in the developing of campaigning material for social media or other relevant content, with the same message (wording and visual aspects). In addition, the consultant will provide counselling, when needed, until the day of the event.

Deliverables :

• Providing strategic support to event-planning with the project consortium: January and February, 2022 (30%)
• Assisting in the developing of campaigning material and social media content, March 2022 (20%)
• Developing and delivering online media training for participating organisations, April 2022 (40%)
• Providing last-minute counselling until the day of the event (10%)

3. Skills and experience of the consultant:

The selected consultant will be required to:

• Be a native English speaker (written and oral). Knowledge of other main European language is strongly desired;
• Have good knowledge of issues related to visual impairment or disability;
• Have a background in journalism, communications, political science or social sciences.
• Have demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication and visibility plans, strategies or campaigns at the European level, with a focus on human rights, social justice and/or political participation.
• Knowledge of UNCRPD Article 29 would be an advantage.

4. Duration of the contract:

4 months, from mid-January 2022 until mid-May 2022.

5. Amount of the contract and payment procedure:

12 000 EUR, all taxes included.

Payments will be split as follows:

• 40% after signing the contract
• 30% by March 31, 2022
• 30 % by May 30, 2021

6. Location:

In any EU country.