Communication plan and campaign for tackling invasive species

Tender description

The North Wales Wildlife Trust wishes to appoint a communication specialist to develop a communication plan and campaign for the Wales Resilient Ecological Network (WaREN II) project. This project has the potential to be an exemplar and high-profile project which will establish a sustainable and collaborative pan-Wales framework for tackling invasive non-native species (invasive species) in Wales. Invasive species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity decline globally. The environmental, economic, and social impact of invasive species in Wales will continue to grow unless they are tackled with a sustainable and joined-up approach. WaREN II will involve developing linkages between existing invasive species projects, initiatives, and Local Action Groups tackling invasive species. The project also aims to increase public engagement and raise awareness of invasive species through effective science communication. The project will raise awareness of: 1. Invasive species issues amongst priority audiences in Wales, using examples which are local or relevant to each audience, in order to improve understanding and engagement with the issue. 2. Actions that audiences can take to help tackle invasive species, in order to improve uptake of good practice. 3. The WaREN II project, in order to help engage relevant organisations in supporting the project. A communication plan and campaign will therefore be important to effectively and strategically communicate the issue of invasive species in Wales and will be critical in the success of this project in facilitating the delivery of our aims. The campaign will also promote our Charter. The successful contractor will be required to support and collaborate with project staff. The following are proposed for the communication plan: • Identify key target audiences and stakeholders • Identify key messages including key prevention and biosecurity messages • Outline how to best communicate the aims of the WaREN II project by identifying priorities and actions for delivering priorities • This could involve developing a new project name, which better represents the aims of the project, in collaboration with the project team and contractors • Outline the best approach for knowledge sharing with a number of target audiences and stakeholders, and identify tailored approaches for knowledge sharing • The communication plan needs to incorporate the need for Welsh language provision The contractor will then implement the agreed communication plan to develop an invasive species campaign across Wales. The campaign will increase awareness of invasive species, through the key messages, particularly in invasive species ‘hotspots’. The contractor will, in consultation with project staff, be expected to: • Develop an invasive species campaign across Wales which is anticipated to be launched during the spring of 2022 • This campaign should link with existing campaigns across GB • Integrate the communication plan to ensure key messages are included • Involve key organisations in the development of the campaign to increase support • Identify and develop campaign tools, suitable for target audiences and key stakeholders • Identify resources required for delivering the campaign nationally and locally The successful contractor will be required to: • Initially agree on a brief which meets the requirements of the project • Collate examples of good and bad communication approaches from the environmental sector and/or invasive species projects in Wales and beyond, to guide its development • Meet with project staff on a regular basis to collaborate on developing ideas with input from the Project Board • Ensure that project staff are made aware, at timely and regular intervals, of any actions or decisions that need to be made for the contractor to fulfil its obligations Please provide evidence of developing a communication plan for similar projects in the environmental sector, ideally in Wales and ex