Consultancy Services for the Development, Design, and Documentation of Communications and Advocacy Tools for Just Transition in Jordan

• Terms of Reference

Consultancy Services for the Development, Design, and Documentation of Communications and Advocacy Tools for Just Transition in Jordan (JustJordan and JETJO Projects)

Contracting modality: Consulting Firm or Consortium. No individual contractor will be considered for this assignment.

Introduction

Jordan is advancing its transition towards a green and sustainable economy in response to growing climate-related challenges and economic shifts. As part of its commitment to climate resilience and economic modernization, the country is implementing policies to integrate environmental and economic sustainability within its labour market, strengthen social protection mechanisms, and foster inclusive economic growth. Climate change increasingly affects key economic sectors, leading to disruptions in employment, business operations, and workforce stability. To address these challenges, Jordan is prioritizing green job creation, greening of businesses, and workforce development to support a just transition that ensures sustainable livelihoods and economic stability for all. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is actively supporting these national efforts by implementing two strategic initiatives:

Initiative title: Promoting a Just Energy Transition for an Inclusive Economy in Jordan (JET Jordan)

Lead Agencies: ILO and UNIDO

Government Lead: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC)

This Joint Programme (JP) between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) supports the Government of Jordan in managing a Just Energy Transition (JET) that contributes to national climate and development goals. It aligns with Jordan’s ambition to achieve 10% green employment by 2030 and create one million jobs by 2033 through strategic investment in green sectors. The JP focuses on three core pillars:

Policy Integration:

Facilitates coherence across climate, industrial, labour, and economic policies — particularly in energy, agriculture, and food manufacturing sectors. It supports the revision of Jordan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), ensuring the inclusion of just transition principles and the alignment of water, land, and energy resource use.

Investment and Employment Planning:

Supports the development of investment plans and a national green jobs strategy aligned with revised NDC targets. The programme helps identify financing pathways, including blended finance instruments, and aims to mobilize both public and private sector investment in green infrastructure.

Entrepreneurship and Workforce Enablement:

Engages Jordan’s micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up over 90% of the national economy, in climate adaptation and green innovation. It also strengthens the labour force’s readiness by identifying green skills gaps and supporting training pathways for renewable energy and circular economy sectors.

Through this integrated approach, the programme seeks to establish enabling conditions for a just and inclusive transition, reducing risks of job displacement while expanding opportunities in climate-resilient sectors.

Initiative title: JustJordan – Putting People Back in Planet and Prosperity

Lead Agency: ILO

Government Lead: Ministry of Labour

The JustJordan Project is part of the ILO’s initiative to promote just transition by addressing both climate mitigation and adaptation in employment related sectors. It supports Jordan’s commitment to its NDCs and the implementation of its Economic Modernization Vision through inclusive, sector-focused policy and institutional strengthening. Key focus areas of the project include:

Sectoral Policy Development and Implementation:

Building on the findings of Jordan’s 2023 Green Jobs Assessment, the project supports the development of practical measures and policy tools that integrate just transition principles into the garment and food manufacturing sectors — two of the country’s largest and most vulnerable employment sectors.

Stakeholder Engagement and Social Dialogue:

The project reinforces the role of workers’ and employers’ organizations in shaping and implementing climate-responsive labour policies. It strengthens institutional mechanisms for consultation, including the reconvening of green jobs-focused steering committees and the drafting of social partner-led policy position papers.

Workforce Empowerment and Enterprise Adaptation:

JustJordan develops practical tools and delivers training for SMEs and workers on resource efficiency, circular economy, and environmental compliance. It links national climate goals to local capacity, emphasizing inclusive access to opportunities for women, youth, and displaced populations.

This project is implemented through strong coordination with the Ministry of Labour, social partners, and other national stakeholders. It complements broader ILO and UN efforts in Jordan aimed at ensuring the country’s transition to a greener economy leaves no one behind.

This Terms of Reference (ToR) falls under the communications and outreach components of both projects. It bundles several interlinked activities under a unified assignment that will deliver communication tools, advocacy materials, and real-time documentation of project events and achievements. The objective is to raise public awareness, support policy visibility, and amplify stakeholder engagement around just transition efforts in Jordan, while directly supporting the communications-related outputs of the Justjordan and JETJO projects.

1. Background

Decent work is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development. This implies that efforts to reduce adverse environmental impact must lead to socially just outcomes with employment opportunities for all, thus calling for a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies for all. Just transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate and environmental action, including an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, while minimizing and carefully managing challenges. It should be based on effective social dialogue, respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, and be in accordance with international labour standards.

The concept of just transition gained international attention as the Paris Agreement on climate change adopted in 2015 notes the imperatives of a just transition and the creation of decent jobs in national contexts and circumstances as essential aspects of responses to climate change. In the same year, ILO constituents adopted the Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all through consensus among representatives of governments, employers and workers. The Guidelines offer a unique policy framework and a practical tool to guide the transformation to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies considering the social and employment-related dimensions.

For Jordan, this transition is particularly urgent. Climate change is already impacting agriculture, energy, and industrial sectors threatening livelihoods, economic competitiveness, and job security. At the same time, the green economy presents an opportunity to create decent jobs, foster sustainable enterprises, and support youth and women’s inclusion in the labour market.

The ILO’s work in Jordan seeks to operationalize its Just Transition Guidelines by building strong policy foundations, supporting the development of national strategies, and facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement. As part of these efforts, effective communication and visibility are essential — not only to promote public understanding, but also to strengthen transparency, foster accountability, and amplify the voices of stakeholders involved in shaping the country’s green future.

This Terms of Reference responds to the need for a dedicated communications and advocacy package that can transform technical outputs, consultations, and achievements into engaging public-facing tools. Through storytelling, visual design, and strategic dissemination, the assignment will support both the JustJordan Project and the JETJO Joint Programme in communicating their impact and advancing the Just Transition agenda in Jordan.

1. Expected deliverables

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to design, develop, and disseminate a suite of communications and advocacy materials that increase public awareness, policy visibility, and stakeholder engagement around Jordan’s Just Transition agenda. These materials will directly support the communication and visibility components of the JustJordan project and the SDG Fund Joint Programme JETJO.

The consultancy will translate technical and policy outputs such as green jobs policy briefs, gender and youth inclusion analyses, NDC roundtable outcomes, sectoral dialogue insights, and employment strategies into accessible, audience-specific formats. It will also include the documentation of selected events through photography, video, and content summarization to support both real-time engagement and long-term outreach.

All activities will be implemented in close collaboration with the ILO and relevant stakeholders, ensuring alignment with national climate and labour priorities, ILO Just Transition Guidelines, and communication standards.

Scope of Work

The consultancy is structured into three phases that align with the implementation timeline of the two projects and the scheduling of major policy and stakeholder engagement events. The consultant is expected to coordinate with ILO technical leads and project partners to ensure timely access to content, messaging validation, and consistency with other deliverables.

Phase 1 – Strategic Planning and Content Mapping (August – September 2025)

This phase focuses on the following:

• Develop a communications and visibility plan that defines objectives, key messages, target audiences, content formats, dissemination channels, and a production schedule.
• Conduct a review of available technical outputs (e.g., green jobs policy briefs, NDC position papers, strategy documents) and identify content to be transformed into communications material.
• Coordinate with ILO and national counterparts to finalize materials and priority messaging areas.

Phase 2 – Content Creation and Documentation (September – October 2025)

This phase centers on assessing the following:

• Design a set of visually engaging materials that translate technical content into public-friendly formats, including infographics, social cards, fact sheets, and brief summaries.
• Document up to three strategic project activities (e.g., NDC roundtables, sectoral dialogue sessions, or high-level steering committee meetings) through photography, event summaries, and quote collection.
• Produce 1–2 short videos (1–2 minutes) capturing project messages or stakeholder voices, using footage from documented events or original shoots as needed. Each video is to be accompanied by a transcript of interview soundbites, and a clean rough cut consisting of interviews conducted and a selection of footage filmed for the video, for the ILO to keep on file.
• Develop three press releases or news items to accompany strategic project activities and two features stories highlighting the impact of the initiatives on the lives of beneficiaries or communities.
• Package content for use across digital and print platforms, including a communications toolkit with assets for social media dissemination.

Phase 3 – Dissemination and Packaging (Mid October – Mid November 2025)

This phase supports the following:

• Support ILO and project partners in finalizing, formatting, and deploying communication products through selected dissemination channels.
• Prepare a final communications package containing all products in editable and final formats.
• Submit a narrative report summarizing activities undertaken, materials produced, events documented, and engagement metrics (if applicable), including lessons learned for future campaigns.

Tasks, Deliverables and Time Schedule

The following tasks are expected from the consultancy firm / consortium:

Work package / Activities

Rollout Phase / Timeline (start – end dates of each activity package)

Measurable Outputs / Deliverables

1. Strategic Planning and Content Mapping

Phase 1 (Aug–Sep 2025)

1.1 Communications and Visibility Plan outlining key messages, channels, timelines, and content priorities (Word + PDF)
1.2 Content Mapping Matrix identifying relevant technical outputs from both projects to be adapted (Excel + Summary Note)

2. Content Development and Documentation

Phase 2 (Sep–Oct 2025)

2.1 Design and delivery of 5–7 visual communication materials (infographics, briefs, quote cards) based on policy outputs and event outcomes (Arabic + English PDF + Source Files)
2.2 High-resolution photo documentation of 3 project events, including captions, credits, and metadata log (JPG + ZIP + Index)
2.3 Production of 1–2 short videos (1–2 mins) that highlight key messages or documented events, subtitled in Arabic and English (MP4), and accompanied by transcripts of interview soundbites and clean rough cuts of interviews and a selection of footage.

2.4 Develop 3 press releases/news items and 2 feature stories
2.4 Social media toolkit featuring ready-made visual posts, sample captions, and hashtags for at least 4 campaign themes (PDF + Editable Formats)

3. Dissemination and Packaging

Phase 3 (Oct–Nov 2025)

3.1 Dissemination Plan outlining suggested rollout strategies, stakeholder engagement, and timing (PDF)
3.2 Final packaged content archive, including all materials in high-resolution and open design formats (ZIP or Shared Drive)
3.3 Final Narrative Report summarizing all activities, materials developed, events documented, and lessons learned (Word + PDF)

1. Contract Duration and Modality

The assignment is expected to commence in mid August 2025 and conclude by mid-November 2025, allowing sufficient time for content planning, documentation of key project events, material development, and a final round of review and validation. This timeline aligns with the implementation schedules of project activities under both the JustJordan project and the SDG Fund Joint Programme JETJO, particularly those related to stakeholder engagement, policy finalization, and strategy validation.

The preferred contracting modality for this assignment is through a Consulting Firm or Consortium with demonstrated capacity in strategic communications, visual storytelling, content production, and advocacy material design across multidisciplinary development themes such as climate resilience, just transition, green jobs, and public policy engagement.

The consultant team will be expected to operate primarily in Jordan, with a mix of in-person and remote engagements, and ensure participation in coordination meetings, on-site documentation of selected events, and iterative design and validation sessions throughout the assignment period.

1. Coordination and Review Process

The selected Consulting Firm or Consortium will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator at the ILO Jordan Country Office, who will serve as the primary focal point for coordination, content review, and technical guidance. Additional technical support may be provided by the ILO Regional Just Transition Specialist and the ILO Regional Communications Team, as needed.

All deliverables will be subject to a multi-layered review and validation process, which may include:

• Internal Review: All communications outputs (e.g., infographics, videos, toolkits, visuals) will undergo internal review by ILO Jordan to ensure technical accuracy, branding compliance, consistency with project objectives, and alignment with ILO communication standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Where appropriate, the consultant may be requested to share drafts of communication products or advocacy messaging with national counterparts, including representatives from relevant ministries, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and project partners, for feedback and alignment.
• Validation Workshops: If materials are being finalized in parallel with key events (e.g., policy roundtables or steering committee meetings), the consultant may be required to participate in these events and incorporate live feedback into final deliverables.
• Bi-Weekly Check-ins: The consultancy team is expected to participate in bi-weekly coordination meetings with ILO Jordan to present progress updates, address any technical clarifications, adjust timelines where needed, and ensure harmonization with related project outputs.

All consultation activities will be closely coordinated with the National Project Coordinator, the Regional Just Transition Specialist, ILO Jordan Country Office Coordinator, and aligned with broader stakeholder engagement processes under the initiatives developed at the ILO Jordan office.

1. Payment Schedule

The timeline and payment terms based on deliverables, as well as documents requested for each payment to be processed, are presented in the following table:

No.

Deliverables

Documents required for payment processing

Expected completion

Payment

1

1.1 Communications and Visibility Plan (Word + PDF)

1.2 Content Mapping Matrix identifying technical outputs and messaging opportunities (Excel + Summary Note)

– Countersigned Contract
– Invoice

– Final versions of deliverables 1.1 and 1.2

Mid-September 2025

25%

2

2.1 Set of 5–7 visual communications materials (PDF + Source Files)

2.2 High-resolution photo documentation from 3 project events with metadata and captions (JPG + Metadata Sheet)

2.3 1–2 short videos with subtitles (MP4)

2.4 Social media toolkit for 4 campaign themes (PDF + Editable Formats)

– Invoice

– Final versions of deliverables 2.1 to 2.4

End of October 2025

45%

3

3.1 Dissemination Strategy Brief (PDF)

3.2 Final communications package in editable and final formats (ZIP or shared drive)

3.3 Final Narrative Report with engagement metrics (if applicable) and lessons learned (Word + PDF)

– Invoice
– Final versions of deliverables 3.1 to 3.3

November 2025

30%

1. Required Expertise and Team Composition

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the assignment spanning public communications, policy translation, visual design, and event documentation a qualified and well-coordinated team is essential. The consulting firm or consortium should propose a team that includes the following minimum roles:

Communications and Content Specialist (Team Lead)

1. Minimum 7–10 years of experience in communications, public information, or advocacy campaigns, ideally within the fields of climate change, labour, or sustainable development
2. Proven experience in transforming technical or policy documents into accessible content for public and stakeholder audiences
3. Ability to manage timelines, coordinate across partners, and ensure quality and consistency across all deliverables
4. Fluent in English and Arabic (writing and editing); strong writing and storytelling skills required
5. Degree in communications, journalism, development studies, or related fields

Visual Designer / Graphic Production Specialist

1. At least 5 years of experience in designing communication materials such as infographics, briefs, and digital toolkits for development or policy-focused projects
2. Proficiency in relevant design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite)
3. Experience working with bilingual (Arabic/English) materials
4. Strong portfolio demonstrating ability to convey complex ideas visually

Multimedia Producer (Photo & Video)

1. At least 3–5 years of experience in photography and short video production for development or institutional communications
2. Capable of documenting live events and producing short-form videos (1–2 minutes) for digital dissemination
3. Ability to shoot and edit footage, and deliver subtitled Arabic/English versions
4. Familiarity with Jordanian context is a strong asset

Please note that firms may propose consolidated roles (e.g., one person covering both content strategy and social media; or a freelance videographer covering all audiovisual needs). Proposals that demonstrate local contextual understanding, cost efficiency, and high quality execution using a compact team will be prioritized.

1. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed using a 70% technical – 30% financial scoring model. The technical proposal must demonstrate a solid understanding of the assignment’s scope, relevant experience, and a feasible implementation plan. The evaluation will follow the criteria below:

Criteria

Maximum Score

A. Technical Proposal

A1. Understanding of the assignment and context

15 points

A2. Technical approach and methodology

15 points

A3. Team composition and qualifications

15 points

A4. Work plan and timeline feasibility

10 points

A5. Relevant past experience and references

15 points

Subtotal Technical Proposal

70 points

B. Financial Proposal

B1. Cost-effectiveness and value for money

30 points

Subtotal Financial Proposal

30 points

Total

100 points

Please note that the financial proposal must be submitted in United States Dollars (USD). Offers received in other currencies will be converted to USD using the ILO exchange rate at the time of bid closure.

The financial proposal must include all costs associated with delivering the required services outlined in this ToR, including but not limited to:

1. Expert fees
2. Travel and transportation expenses
3. Communication, logistics, or miscellaneous administrative costs
4. Submission Requirements

Interested consulting firms or consortia are invited to submit a full proposal including the following components:

A. Technical Proposal

1. Company Profile

• A concise overview of the firm/consortium highlighting relevant expertise in communications, design, advocacy campaigns, and public policy engagement
• Demonstrated experience producing visibility and communications products for development programmes, UN agencies, or national partners
• Summary of engagements with international organizations (e.g., ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, UN Women, or other UN bodies)

2. Proposed Approach and Methodology

• A clear description of the proposed methodology for content development, documentation, and dissemination
• Overview of tools and formats to be used (e.g., Adobe Suite, video platforms, social media planning)
• Quality assurance, risk mitigation strategies, and coordination mechanisms

3. Work Plan and Timeline

• Timeline and work plan aligned with the assignment’s rollout phases and deliverable schedule.
• Gantt chart or tabulated version showing milestones and activity dependencies.

4. Team Composition and CVs

• Overview of proposed team members and their respective roles in this assignment.
• Full CVs of core team members demonstrating experience in communications, design, media production, and Arabic-language adaptation
• Indication of Arabic language capacity is required

5. Relevant Experience and Work Samples

• At least two examples of communications and advocacy materials developed for related assignments
• Portfolio samples or links to video, infographic, or toolkit products
• References from past clients (with contact details).

B. Financial Proposal

• A detailed budget breakdown by deliverable as per the ToR.
• Budget must include:

1. Professional fees (by expert/day rate and number of days)
2. Travel and accommodation expenses (if applicable)
3. Logistics, administrative, or post-production costs

• The total cost must be quoted in United States Dollars (USD) and fully inclusive of all taxes, fees, and incidental expenses.

C. Additional Requirements

• Confirmation of acceptance of ILO contractual terms and payment conditions (to be provided with the official call for proposals).
• All documents must be submitted electronically in editable formats (e.g., Word, Excel, PDF).
• Proposals must be submitted in English. Summaries or support materials in Arabic are welcome but not required.

How to apply

D. Submission Method and Deadline

Eligible consulting firms/consortia must submit their proposals via email to amm-procurement@ilo.org copying lundm@ilo.org and dukhgan@ilo.org with a subject line: “Application for Just Transition Communications and Advocacy – Jordan”. Applications must be submitted no later than July 29th, 2025, and the application must include:

• Technical proposal (as outlined above)
• Financial proposal in USD (as outlined above)
• Work plan and timeline (as outlined above)
• CVs of key experts (as outlined above)
• Evidence of relevant past experience (as outlined above)

Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be considered.