DEADLINE: 15TH JANUARY, 2023
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL (SEFORALL)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR FULL SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS, ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS FIRM
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 13 FEBRUARY 2023 TO 31 DECEMBER 2023
Background and Context
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organisation working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius.
Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute, and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.
The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. The new SEforALL three-year business plan outlines work programmes that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support. http://www.seforall.org/
Nigeria Energy Transition Office
Nigeria is a high-impact country for achieving SDG7 which calls for universal access to clean and affordable energy. Based on the latest data available, 92 million Nigerians lack access to electricity while 175 million lack access to clean cooking solutions. At the same time, the reality and grave impacts of climate change are already manifesting in the form of floods, pollution, erosion, desertification, and the associated socio-economic consequences. As a result, demanding and modelling bold action to address energy poverty and mitigate climate change is a priority for the nation.
Consequently, SEforALL alongside the UK Energy Transition Council and McKinsey supported the Nigerian Government in designing an Energy Transition Plan (ETP) to tackle the dual crises of energy poverty and climate change and deliver SDG7 by 2030 and net-zero by 2060, while also providing energy for development, industrialization, and economic growth. The Nigerian ETP is the first of its kind in Africa and details pathways for significant low-carbon development of energy systems across 5 key sectors: Power, Cooking, Transport, Industry, and Oil and Gas. The plan also highlights the key role Natural Gas must play as a transition fuel on Nigeria’s path to net-zero.
Since its unveiling, the ETP has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and adopted as national policy. On the 24th of August 2022, a virtual global launch of the ETP took place with participation from key partners across the globe and an official website (www.energytransition.gov.ng) were published.
An Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG) chaired by His Excellency Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and comprising of several key ministers including the Ministers for Environment, Power, Finance, Works & Housing, Petroleum Resources, and Foreign Affairs has been established to drive the implementation of the plan.
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) support the working group through a dedicated secretariat, the Energy Transition Office (ETO). Broadly, the objectives of the ETO include the following:
- Help to build policy support, identify opportunities, and mobilize resources that will serve as the backbone of the ETP to help drive Nigeria’s energy transition agenda,
- Establish a pipeline of bankable energy projects and programs in support of SDG7 and the Nigerian government’s energy access and energy transition goals and commitments, supporting medium-term growth in the Nigeria DRE sector,
- Build strong political support and provide government coordination for the activities of GEAPP in Nigeria.
- Provide support to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Implementation Working Group to help secure a financial and technical assistance support package for the country to begin implementation of the ETP,
- Coordinate closely with and utilize mechanisms such as the Energy Transition Council to help secure a financial and technical package of support for implementation of Nigeria’s energy transition, and
- Provide support for the establishment of Nigeria as a champion for a just and inclusive African energy transition
- Provide high-level engagement through SEforALL’s CEO / UN SRSG and other high-level leadership with Nigerian and other African government stakeholders as well as other international stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s ETP and a common African energy transition position.
Objective
The Nigeria Energy Transition Office (ETO) is seeking the services of a Public Relations/Advocacy/Communications Agency to provide public relations, advocacy and communications support for the delivery of the office’s objectives and broader dissemination and implementation of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP). The main goals include working alongside the ETO Communications Specialist to:
(1) Develop and implement a detailed communications action plan for the Nigeria ETP.
(2) Provide media support for the Nigeria ETP, ETWG, ETO and related events.
(3) Manage content creation and dissemination including graphic designing, photography and videography, website and social media management, translation and interpretation.
(4) Develop media and digital partnerships.
Scope of Work
The Agency will serve as the single point of contact with the ETO and its partners to deliver the following services as well as other tasks that may be required for the achievement of the goals outlined above.
(1) In order to fulfil the task of developing and implementing a detailed communications action plan for the Nigeria ETP, the PR Agency will need to undertake the following activities:
- Develop and implement a communication action plan including awareness raising campaigns for selected interventions of the ETP.
- Define and implement efficient media relations activities for the promotion of the Nigeria ETP activities (including but not limited to press announcements, press releases, press advisories, press conferences, article placements, interviews, guest appearances).
(2) In providing media support for the Nigeria ETP, ETWG, ETO and related events, the PR Agency is required to handle media and media protocols at ETP events such as webinars, roundtables, project launches, ETP roadshows, etc., to ensure public coverage. Every event activity should be planned in close coordination with the ETO, the ETO’s contracted Events Agency and implementing partners. The PR Agency will be expected to:
- Prepare and send media invites and information before and after events with photos or video through the Agency’s media network.
- Share details of upcoming events with the Media and other stakeholders to create awareness.
- Secure media presence at all events.
- Provide photography and videography for ETP events and also upon request.
- Prepare press packs, handouts and press releases.
- Schedule the interviews and TV appearances at the events and during the period after event, and handle additional media requests.
- Organize media training for spoke persons of the programme.
(3) In managing content creation and dissemination, the Agency will provide support in preparing different forms of content to present the ETP to target audiences including through speeches, op-eds, press releases, outreach folders and fact sheets, knowledge products, newsletters, blog entries, posts, tweets, brochures, website content, photo essays, video and audio components for broadcast, print media etc. The Agency will be expected to:
- Manage and update the ETP website with a focus on improved interactivity, and also provide suitable content for it, including addressing enquiries.
- Secure web development services for the ETP website as necessary.
- Create and manage social media accounts for the ETP, providing suitable content regularly.
- Produce photography, video and digital communication as required including high quality pictures and short video clips for sharing on digital platforms or with the media outlets and for promotional purposes. ETO will retain ownership of all source and work files.
- Deliver all media content to the relevant print and electronic media.
(4) With respect to creating media and digital partnerships, the Agency will facilitate the development of partnerships with local and international media. The Agency will be expected to:
- Suggest and develop media partnership models.
- Establish relationships with online influencers for the target audiences, as considered beneficial.
Approach, Timeline, and Deliverables
Approach
The selected Agency will maintain close contact with the ETO Communications Specialist throughout the assignment. All draft written and visual deliverables will be reviewed by the ETO. The selected Agency will participate in weekly project coordination meetings and/or as required by the ETO and present status reports on its approach, findings, challenges, and next steps.
To deliver the above-listed tasks and duties, the Agency shall, at the minimum, engage the following experts as well as other services as required and provide the necessary hardware and software for the execution of their activities. The Agency will be responsible for providing the following expertise:
- Graphic design (both in 2D and 3D), photography, videography, speechwriting
- Data analysis, content development, social media and website management.
The selected Agency should make a concerted effort to ensure gender parity throughout this assignment. This includes, for example, the team deployed for this purpose is encouraged to implement a 40:60 female-to-male ratio, provide a copy of gender policies followed by the organization and follow a gender-balanced approach in the assignment. The selected Agency shall also work to ensure all stakeholder engagements are gender balanced.
Timeline and Deliverables
13 February 2023 to 31 December 2023. The selected Agency will produce the following deliverables according to schedule to be agreed upon with ETO:
- Inception Report providing details of communications plan and draft timeline of activities for 2023.
- Regular communications status reports.
- Several forms of content to communicate with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Final report.
Travel
The selected Agency is expected to operate primarily in Nigeria and will be required to traverse the nation to support the activities of the ETO as well as secure footage relevant to the ETP (Agency based in Nigeria is mandatory).
Reporting
The Agency will report to the ETO’s Communications Specialist.
Qualification and Expertise
In general, the agency must have a proven track record of high-quality campaigns with multiple segment audiences using traditional as well as digital media to reach campaign targets. Companies wishing to submit a proposal should:
- Have presence and prior experience in Nigeria (Mandatory)
- Demonstrate experience in public relations, video production, photography, and multi-media storytelling in English (local languages desirable).
- Demonstrate track record of delivering high quality public relations work, videography, and photography on time and within budget.
- Propose a designated team of specialists for the assignment, with each senior lead experienced in delivering high-quality public relations and multimedia services – and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in conducting similar assignments. Each team member must have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business or similar discipline
- Possess familiarity with the energy sector in general, experience in sub-Saharan Africa will be considered an advantage.
- Demonstrate ability to understand the ETP agenda and programme goals.
- Possess experience working with the UN, and/or any other international organization; this will be considered an advantage.
Bidding Process
Bidders are allowed to submit bids as a consortium. Proposals must include the following (in either PDF or PPT format).
Technical Proposal:
- Your organization’s profile including organization’s name, address, contact information and a brief background
- Your organization’s understanding of the assignment, including any proposed changes to the Scope of Work
- Proposed team structure.
- Proposed approach (Gantt chart with key milestones, activities, and any sub-activities).
- Relevant experience and a Portfolio of work with at least 5 similar projects.
- Key personnel profiles and roles of subcontractors, where applicable.
- References (at least 3).
Financial Proposal:
- All costs must be in USD
- Detailed financial proposal inclusive of LOE, travel, equipment costs and any other costs expected to be incurred (it is recommended to take assumptions around travel and provide a flat fee for each travel)
- Technical and Financial proposal are to be submitted as separate documents.
Evaluation, Conflict of Interest, and Terms of Payment
- Bidders are requested to disclose and explain any potential conflicts of interest
- Terms of payment at SEforALL follow a deliverable based framework. The breakdown of the milestones-payments will be communicated to the selected Agency
- The evaluation of proposals will be based on a 70 – 30 split for technical proposal and financial proposal, respectively.
How to Apply and Deadline
Please submit your proposals to procurement@seforall.org by 15 January 2023, 23:59 CET
In case of questions or queries contact SEforALL at procurement@seforall.org
