TERMS OF REFERENCE  

BACKGROUND   

Three decades after ASEAN was established, ASEAN leaders recognised that: there remained inadequate shared prosperity, ASEAN awareness and contact among people of ASEAN. It was of this concern that ASEAN leaders established the ASEAN Foundation during ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 15 December 1997. The ASEAN Foundation is an organisation from and for the people of ASEAN and exists because of one vision: to build a cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community. As an ASEAN’s body, the Foundation is tasked to support ASEAN mainly in promoting awareness, identity, interaction, and development of the people of ASEAN. For more information, visit: https://aseanfoundation.org. 

EMPOWERING YOUTHS ACROSS ASEAN 

The eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA)—launched in conjunction with the ASEAN Day on 8 August 2018—is a collaborative programme by the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation dedicated to empowering youth and communities across the region. The programme provides an experiential and educative learning platform for youth (aged 19-35) through social volunteerism. They collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds to implement their ideas and advocate solutions to grounded issues in local communities across ASEAN. They delve into an impactful journey to make a tangible, meaningful change among target communities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Since 2018, the programme has empowered 400 youths, collaborated with 31 civil society organisations (CSOs), and impacted over 60,000 community members across ASEAN.   

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Communications Consultant is required to provide services of high-impact regional campaigns for eYAA Programme from January to December 2025. Under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer for eYAA and the guidance of the Head of Communications of the ASEAN Foundation, the Communications Consultant will work closely with the relevant officers at the Foundation, including the  Project and Administration Officer for eYAA, Digital Communications Coordinator and Graphic Design Consultant to raise the awareness young people in ASEAN about the eYAA Programme by leveraging on the ASEAN Foundation’s network. 

Functional Relationship 

Develop and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with the following:  

Internal (within post) – First Layer: 

• Head of Communications of ASEAN Foundation
• Head of Strategic Planning and Business Development of ASEAN Foundation
• Senior Project Officer for eYAA Programme
• Project and Administration Officer for eYAA Programme
• Graphic Design Consultant of eYAA Programme
• Communications Officer of ASEAN Foundation

External (outside post) – First Layer: 

• Maybank Foundation
• Implementing partners (i.e., CSO/SE)
• Government institutions
• Youth Volunteers

External (outside post) – Second Layer: 

• ASEAN Secretariat
• Other potential partners

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Social Media Management 

• Develop robust social media strategy for eYAA programme that can be seamlessly integrated with the overall communications strategy.
• Produce social media content independently, including, but not limited to, videos, animations, infographics, by taking account of the social media platforms and the audience.
• Develop efficient and scalable social media posting schedule.
• Explore ways to add value to infographics, photos and videos used as social media visual to amplify the impact of captions.
• Work with the ASEAN Foundation’s influencer network to promote the programme.
• Conduct monthly social media monitoring and provide brief analysis report on social media performance.

Website Management 

• Develop eYAA-related content on the ASEAN Foundation’s website in coordination with the website consultant.
• Propose visual direction for the programme website that can be used by graphic designer.

E-Newsletter Management 

• Formulate scalable schedule to blast programme e-newsletter consistently.
• Develop engaging e-newsletter contents to strengthen the promotion of eYAA Programme

Media Engagement 

• Lead in the writing of programme-related press release and article.
• Leverage partners’ media network to promote the programme.
• Engage and maintain good relationship with journalists.
• Ensure that all publications of the programme succeed in generating positive public sentiments.

Influencer Engagement

• Identify influencers who align with the brand and build genuine, long-term partnerships.
• Guide influencers on messaging, oversee content creation, and ensure smooth execution of campaigns.
• Monitor campaign performance, measure results, and provide insights for improvement.

Event Management 

• Lead in the development of communication products for programme-related launch events, workshops, and exhibitions by working together with graphic design consultant/inhouse designer.
• Ensure engaging and seamless live streaming activities in collaboration with live stream consultant.

Other Communications and Outreach Tasks 

• Develop speeches and PowerPoint slides for Executive Director and Senior Project Officer.
• Support Senior Project Officer to develop Final Report and Impact Report.
• Develop emails and correspondence for relevant stakeholders.
• Lead in the coordination with relevant communications vendors and consultants to ensure the success of the programme.
• Execute other communication and outreach tasks as assigned.

PERSON QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience 

• A bachelor's or master's degree in communications (journalism, public relations, marketing, and communications) is desirable

Essential Technical Skills 

• Excellent Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint skills, complemented by basic Microsoft Excel skills
• Familiarity with other Microsoft Office’s applications is a plus
• Familiar with video and photo editing
• Digital savvy (in digital platforms such as website, social media, podcast, analytics, Mailchimp, etc.)
• Fluent in English (especially written)
• Good understanding of strategic communications (development of communications work plan)
• Good understanding of digital trends in ASEAN and youth audiences
• Good campaign monitoring and evaluation skills
• Ability to respect communication protocol and procurement processes

Desirable 

• Strong journalistic writing skill
• Good experience in developing and executing regionwide and/or big national level awareness campaign
• Good understanding of branding
• Understanding the Project Management

Personal Qualities 

• Willingness to go beyond job description
• Ability to be flexible by adapting quickly to changing priorities
• Highly motivated self-starter able to work with minimal supervision and direction
• Strong interpersonal, time management and problem-solving skills
• Comfort with managing diverse tasks simultaneously
• Excellent attention to detail, both written and numerical, and commitment to quality
• Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and to work with partners in a sensitive and participatory manner
• Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of the ASEAN Foundation, and this includes effective representation skills
• Has the ability to work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will work in a hybrid format, with two office visits per week (on Monday and Thursday), or on a case-by-case basis.

REMUNERATION 

A lump sum fee will be provided commensurate with the qualification and experience. The disbursement of the payment will be discussed upon contract signing between the consultant and the ASEAN Foundation.

HOW TO APPLY 

Apply through https://bit.ly/eYAA5-Comms and upload your application documents (Cover Letter, CV/Resume, and Portfolio/Sample Work) by 5 January 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the ASEAN Foundation