BACKGROUND
USAID’s Energy Security Project (ESP) works with the Ukrainian government, private sector, and civil society leaders to improve Ukraine’s energy security and transform Ukraine’s energy sector into a modern, market-oriented, EU-integrated engine of growth. In particular, the ESP assists the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine with the development and implementation of the state policies in the energy sector, including current reforming of the energy sector.
For the successful implementation of energy sector reform, it is crucial to ensure regular, clear and coordinated communication from the Ministry of Energy (MoE) about how reforms will impact Ukraine’s public and private sectors. The MoE will benefit from the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy, designed to be a practical guideline in the Ministry’s interaction with its target audiences. Supported by an implementation plan with a clear timeline, description of target audiences, key messages, communication channels, estimation of human, technical and financial resources for the strategy implementation, the communication strategy will not only improve communication, but will also raise public awareness about how Ukraine is meeting its commitments under Annex 27 of the Association Agreement and the European Green Deal, as well as about the progress of already initiated reforms in the energy sector. Regular and clear communication will help to ensure more transparency in Ukraine’s energy markets for domestic and international investors and stimulate sector innovations. As a result, well informed public and private sectors become more active drivers of energy reforms and further Ukraine’s energy independence including transparent and competitive energy markets.
PURPOSEThe purpose of this Request for Application (RFA) is to select a grantee that will develop a strategic communication strategy and its implementation plan. The strategy and implementation plan are to be designed to establish clear and targeted communication channels between the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine (MoE) and its target audiences, to include the general public as well as public and private stakeholders in the energy sector. Specifically, the MoE communications strategy should support and further the ministry’s work in the following key areas:
- Implementation of the Energy Strategy of Ukraine, commitments under Annex 27 of the Association Agreement and the European Green Deal;
- Continuation of the initiated reforms in the energy sector;
- Ensuring transparency and specificity of the energy market for investment attraction, optimization, and innovative development of energy infrastructure; and
- Develop a positive and transparent media platform which will help to counter negative disinformation campaigns affecting the work of the MoE and energy markets.
The principle target audiences (TA) include the professional energy community and energy market participants, particularly representatives of energy sector companies and enterprises, investment and financial institutions, industrial manufacturers, media representatives, local opinion leaders, relevant sector business associations, and citizens of Ukraine. Additionally, the audience may include international institutions, government authorities of Energy Community member states and of the United States.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The activities under this RFA will include but are not limited to the following:Development and assistance in the implementation of a strategic communication strategy, approved by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine:
- The communication strategy should include:
- Key communication objectives,
- Analysis and description of key target audiences, relevant communication channels, potential messages, information products, creative ideas, and activities relevant for different target audiences,
- Estimation of human, technical and financial resources required for the ongoing implementation of the strategy,
- Description of key performance indicators and plan for monitoring;
- Development of a communication activity schedule (strategy implementation action plan);
- Risk assessment of each campaign with corresponding mitigation plan. An estimation of potential crisis impact and the development of a crisis communication sub-strategy
- he communication strategy should be developed with inputs from research and analysis conducted on effective communication methods for the target audiences relevant to the MoE. Data may be collected from existing credible sources or through research conducted as part of this grant and may include focus group interviews, direct target audience interviews and other relevant methods.
- Training of Ministry’s speakers in public communication techniques.
- Advising on the content and design of the Ministry’s website (and other partnership media platforms under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine), including providing support with the development of public reports and presentations; promotion of the Ministry’s positions in social media channels; and
- Other activities needed for the successful implementation of the project under this RFA (to be additionally determined by the Ministry and the USAID ESP and agreed with the grantee).
Funding
An estimate of maximum funds available for the award is the Ukrainian Hryvnia equivalent of $240,000 US dollars.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to receive grant funds under this RFA, the applicant must:
- Be a non-governmental organization (NGO) or a private company legally registered and recognized under the laws of Ukraine.
- Not be a “public international organization,” and must not be affiliated with Tetra Tech or any of its directors, officers or
- Not use funds for religious or political
- Submit a completed application including all forms and certifications and a project description that supports program goals and objectives of the USAID ESP.
- Demonstrate previous experience in the administration of at least three cash grants, preferably funded by USAID.
- Demonstrate its ability to manage funds up to the amount of the award and, in the case of cost reimbursable grants or hybrids with a cost reimbursable element, successfully pass a Pre-Award Survey conducted by ESP staff. Display sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures and present a system of internal controls that safeguards assets;
- Have sufficient staff and capacity to carry out the proposed activities, by presenting Human Resource documents like a staffing plan, organizational chart, scopes of work for each person that will form part of the implementation team, staff CVs, ;
- Have the ability to work cooperatively with ESP for technical monitoring, as well as with other actors that can be linked to the achievement of the
- Protect grant funds against fraud, waste, and abuse;
- Sign the required certifications before receiving a
Awardee from this RFA will be required to provide a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number at the time of the award. Tetra Tech will assist successful applicants with this process.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO APPLICANTS
Qualified applicants would have:
- A credible portfolio and experience in developing communication strategy/ies for government institutions.
- Reputable experience in the implementation of communication strategy/ies, strategically growing a positive presence in media; training government officials can be considered as an advantage.
- Experience in implementing USAID funded programs/projects and an understanding of energy sector reforms and government institutions’ public communication needs.
- Solid experience in the preparation, budgeting and implementation of similar projects.
- Be not managed or affiliated with any physical person or legal entity contributing, supporting or otherwise facilitating military aggression in the East Ukraine and temporary occupation of Crimea.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
For the application submission deadline please see Submission Closing Date and Time, page 1 of this RFA. The application must be written in Ukrainian or English using the templates provided in Attachments to this RFA. Applicants should submit proposals electronically through email to [email protected].
Please insert in the ‘subject’ line of the application email: RFA 2020-8. An application will be rejected without evaluation if the application is:
- Incomplete
- Submitted after the deadline
- Submitted through means different from the one described above
- Non-eligible under this RFA
- Non-compliant with technical objectives/thematic areas of the project
- From an organization that appears on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), U.N. 1267, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) SDNBP
The application file should:
- Not exceed 5 MB total submitted in the following formats: Microsoft Word (Application Form), Excel (Budget, Work Plan), and PDF (scan copies of letters).
- Not be archived as *.zip or *.rar, and
- Not be password-protected.
ESP and Tetra Tech employees may not ask for, and applicants are prohibited from offering any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation to obtain or reward improper favorable treatment regarding this solicitation. Any improper request from a project employee should be reported to [email protected].
Tetra Tech follows the requirements of FAR clause 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest, in the selection and award of Grants under Contract (GUCs).
QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
All questions or clarifications regarding this RFA must be in writing and submitted, in English or Ukrainian, to [email protected] by December 2, 2020 no later than 14:00 Kyiv time indicating in the email subject line “Question RFA 2020-8”. An organization can submit one email with questions for clarification only. Questions and requests for clarification, and the responses thereto, will be published on the ESP Facebook page and saved to the Google folder with all other documents related to the RFA.