Communications Consultant

Organization: NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response), (Hosted by Adeso – African Development Solutions)

Reporting To: MENA Regional Representative

Duration: 5 days total Level of Effort (LOE), between October 01 and November 30, 2025

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duty Station: Remote

ABOUT ADESO

NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.

ABOUT NEAR

NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a movement of Global South civil society organizations with a bold ambition – to reshape the top-down humanitarian and development system to one that is locally driven and owned, and is built around equitable, dignified and accountable partnerships. NEAR’s vision is a world where local communities have the resources and agency to address the challenges that impact them. NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an African based international development and humanitarian organization. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

This consultancy aims to equip 20 lab members from Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen from MENA to develop unified and effective communication strategies and practical tools that can help them enhance and improve their internal coordination as well as external advocacy. Over a 4-day training workshop the consultant is expected to guide these organisations and lab coordinators in crafting audience-specific messaging, designing scalable tools, and addressing country context and regional challenges to impactful and sustainable communication efforts that utilise human-centered storytelling and are aligned with regional priorities. By the end of the consultancy, NEAR members will be able to:

• Inspire collective action by using clear messaging that resonates across cultures.

• Equip teams with adaptable workflows to address daily communication challenges.

• Measure progress transparently to celebrate wins and adapt quickly.