Consultancy Services for Strategic Communication & Counter-Narrative Initiative

The Sustainable Social Development Organisation is seeking consultancy services for a Strategic Communication & Counter-Narrative Initiative in Islamabad, Pakistan. The role involves designing a gender-responsive communication framework to counter terrorism and violent extremism, developing multimedia campaigns, and applying behavioral insights. The consultancy will require collaboration with various stakeholders and aims to impact at least 500,000 individuals over a six-month period.
Consultancy Services for Strategic Communication & Counter-Narrative Initiative
Job Status :
Terms of Reference (ToRs)
Consultancy Services for Strategic Communication & Counter-Narrative Initiative
Project Title:
Strengthening Strategic Communication to Counter Terrorism, Financing of Terrorism, and Prevent Violent Extremism in Pakistan
Implementing Organization:
Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO)
Duration:
[6 months]
1. Background and Context
Pakistan continues to face evolving challenges related to terrorism, violent extremism, and the financing of terrorism. While security responses remain important, there is growing emphasis under the National Action Plan on preventive, non-kinetic approaches, including strategic communication and counter-narratives. Digital platforms are increasingly used by extremist actors to spread propaganda and recruit, with certain groups more exposed due to socio-economic and informational gaps. At the same time, there is a need for more coordinated, evidence-based, and inclusive communication efforts aligned with national priorities to counter terrorism. To support this work, SSDO aims to engage qualified firm with expertise in strategic communication, digital media, behavioural insights, and related areas.
2. Objective of the Consultancy
The overall objective of this consultancy is to design and operationalize an evidence-based, gender-responsive Strategic Communication and Counter-Narrative Framework and support the development of high-impact multimedia campaign products to counter extremist narratives and reduce vulnerability to radicalization in Pakistan.
3. Scope of Work
The selected consultant firm will work under the supervision of SSDO and in coordination with relevant stakeholders to deliver the following:
3.1 Development of Strategic Communication Framework
Conduct stakeholder mapping and consultations with:
Parliamentarians
Relevant government institutions at federal and provincial levels
Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and counter-terrorism departments
Media professionals and digital platforms
Academia and civil society organizations
Women’s rights groups and youth representatives
Undertake narrative analysis, including:
Mapping dominant extremist narratives and messaging patterns
Identifying dissemination channels (digital and offline)
Assessing vulnerabilities of target groups
Priority target audiences (youth, women, at-risk communities)
Thematic counter-narrative pillars aligned with national priorities under NAP
Messaging architecture (tone, language, framing, inclusivity)
Platform-specific dissemination strategies (social media, community outreach)
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework with gender-disaggregated indicators
3.2 Content Development & Campaign Design
Conceptualize and design a multi-platform counter-narrative campaign targeting at least 500,000 individuals
Short videos
Podcasts
Infographics
Testimonials and storytelling content
3.3 Behavioural Insights Integration
Apply behavioural science approaches to:
Understand drivers of radicalization
Enhance message effectiveness and audience engagement
Test and refine messaging using audience feedback and analytics
3.4 Campaign Implementation Support
Provide technical guidance for:
Digital dissemination strategies (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp)
Audience targeting and engagement optimization
Support coordination with:
Regulatory and monitoring bodies overseeing digital and media spaces
Provincial and district-level stakeholders where applicable
3.5 Quality Assurance and Stakeholder Validation
Stakeholder validation Consultations
Ensure all outputs align with:
National CT/CFT and P/CVE priorities
Human rights, rule of law, and gender equality principles
The consultant firm will be responsible for delivering:
Inception Report (methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement plan)
Narrative Analysis & Stakeholder Mapping Report
Strategic Communication & Counter-Narrative Framework
Multimedia Communication Products (agreed quantity and formats)
Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
Final Report (including campaign performance insights and recommendations)
5. Reporting and Coordination
The consultant firm will:
Report directly to SSDO Project Director
Work in close coordination with SSDO’s:
Research team
Gender and inclusion specialists
SSDO will retain overall coordination, stakeholder engagement, institutional liaison, and quality assurance responsibilities.
6. Required Qualifications and Experience
For Consultants Firms:
Minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience in:
Strategic communication and media campaigns
Digital media and content production
Behavioural insights and audience research
Demonstrated experience working with:
Government institutions and law enforcement stakeholders
Development partners and donor-funded projects
Proven ability to:
Produce high-quality multimedia content
7. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
Technical understanding of the assignment
Methodological approach and innovation
Relevant experience and past work
Quality of proposed team
8. Ethical Considerations
Adhere to do-no-harm principles
Avoid stigmatization of communities
Ensure confidentiality and data protection
Integrate gender equality and inclusion
9. Application Procedure
Interested firms should submit:
Financial proposal
Detailed CV(s)
Portfolio of relevant work
Last date to Apply:
May 5, 2026
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