The services of a Communications and Strategy Consultant are required at the VCA, starting from January 2023 with an average of 40 hours of service per week.
The Contract for Service will be for a period of thirty-six months. The service shall be remunerated at €22 (excluding VAT) per hour and will not exceed the total of €46,500 (excluding VAT) per year, for a total of not exceeding €139,500 (excluding VAT) over three years. Any other taxes or charges shall be borne by the successful candidate.
The Valletta Cultural Agency
The VCA is a Government entity that sustains and strengthens the Capital City’s vibrant cultural life through the creation of an annual programme of creative events developed in collaboration with artists and other Public Cultural Organisations. A legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the VCA also upholds standards of excellence in the coordination and organisation of cultural events in the city, while encouraging access and participation by a diverse audience.
Services Required
A Consultant is required to provide guidance on Communications, Production and Strategy matters, while developing in conjunction with the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Communications and the Head of Programming & Production, a strategic direction for the success of the organisation.
Main Tasks
- Estimate Agency requirements and collaborate with various teams to achieve established goals;
- Advise executive management in the development of comprehensive brand and marketing communication strategies that support the overall strategic direction of the Agency;
- Assist executive management in implementing desired strategies;
- Advise executive management on creative direction and media purchases;
- Work with the Communications Department to develop promotional materials required for various communication strategies;
- Restructuring of Communications Department to turn it into a transmedial broadcasting office in line with modern story architecture;
- Strengthening the Communication Departments’ outreach efforts for messages to be broadcast on multiple media platforms simultaneously;
- Supervising production of mini documentaries for various platforms that can be exported to a wider canvas that ranges from old to new media;
- Overseeing the production of audio-visual material and archiving, be it in the form of short edits or fully-fledged television productions;
- Redesigning brand and marketing strategies to align with requirements of new transmedia realities;
- Enlarging the Agency’s online footprint through engagement storytelling and media mix strategies;
- Redesigning messages and adapt them for various media platforms;
- Aiding in the identification of platforms in which the Agency’s target audience(s) are congregating;
- Connecting with said audiences and engaging with them;
- Ensuring brand conformity for all different social media platforms;
- Training members of the Communications Department in transmedia narratives and narrative architecture;
- Helping prepare business proposals and presentations;
- Writing speeches as and when necessary;
- Identify issues and propose solutions;
- Assessing the pros and cons of possible strategies;
- Developing media plans and policies with executive management;
- Advising on public relations campaigns;
- Assisting with the creation and execution of brand and marketing initiatives for the VCA and its various projects;
- Developing creative content for both traditional and non-traditional marketing communications campaigns across integrated communications channels;
- Assisting with maintaining a consistent “look and feel” for all external messaging and creative executions;
- Creating and producing transmedial material;
- Ensuring optimum use of resources and realization of timelines in prioritizing and authorizing projects;
- Contributing ideas and expertise in planning and implementing solutions for Agency;
- Collaborating with teams to assimilate novel communication opportunities and educational trends;
- Collaborating with marketing professionals to produce copy for advertisements or articles;
- Any other task that may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer and / or her representative.
The selected service provider will work under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the VCA and will be required to be available for meetings via internet, on-site and at the office. S/he will have flexible working hours and will be able to provide services during unscheduled or at unusual times as required by the exigencies of work.
Qualifications and Experience Required
Interested applicants must be in possession of a Qualification in Marketing, Communications, Management or in a field related to the arts at MQF Level 8 or equivalent, and a minimum of 5 years’ proven experience in the cultural and / or artistic sector
OR
a Qualification in Marketing, Communications, Management or in a field related to the arts at MQF Level 7 or equivalent, and a minimum of ten years’ proven experience in the cultural and / or artistic sector.
AND
Must be able to communicate in English and, preferably, also Maltese;
It will be considered an asset for eligible applicants to have:
- Excellent communications skills;
- Excellent networking skills;
- Ability to develop artistic concepts;
- Proficient computer skills (MS Office and Outlook);
- Strong attention to detail.
Applications
Interested applicants are required to send a motivation letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, together with a document outlining a brief explanation and methodology on how they are to achieve the objectives laid out in the Main Tasks section. These documents, together with a CV and copies of certificates, are to be sent by email on: hr.vca@vca.gov.mt by not later than noon of 31st December 2022. Late applications will not be considered.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to sit for an interview, which may be conducted over the internet.
The final selection shall be made on technical merit. It will be based on an analysis of the submitted documentation in line with the requirements of this call, and on the outcome of the interview.
