Social Media and Media Engagement Consultant

Location: Indonesia and Timor-Leste (remote, with travel as required) 

Closing date for applications: 25 September 2026                    

Start date: October 2026

Consultancy duration: Approximately 3 months (October 2026 – December 2026), supporting implementation of a 15-month plan through December 2027.

We unlock power with coastal communities.

Blue Ventures connects coastal communities, restoring the ocean and providing the resources and partnerships they need to unlock their power and turn local action into global impact. We link communities with allies, knowledge and influence to create unstoppable waves of change.

Together, we’re placing communities at the centre of solutions to sustain fisheries, manage ecosystems and redefine how the world protects the ocean.

Project Summary 

The Mohamed Bin Zayed (MBZ) programme, supported by Mubadala, protects nearshore habitats in Timor-Leste and Sulawesi, Indonesia, advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries management through locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), in partnership with Forum Kahedupa Toudani (FORKANI), Komunitas Nelayan Wangi-Wangi (KOMANANGI) and Forum Nelayan Binongko (FONEB).

To strengthen the initiative’s visibility, Blue Ventures seeks a Social Media and Media Engagement Consultant to develop a strategic and practical plan for social media and media engagement in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, identifying and developing stories around key achievements, milestones, community experiences and learning, and putting the people, knowledge and actions behind this work at the centre of the story. Over a three-month consultancy, the consultant will develop a 15-month Social Media and Media Engagement Plan (October 2026 – December 2027), support the development and testing of initial content, work closely with the BV Asia Regional Communications Team, BV Timor-Leste, and implementing partners, and report to the Senior Communications Manager Asia.

Scope of Work and Key Tasks

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

Social Media and Media Landscape Analysis

The consultant will conduct a social media analysis of:

FORKANI: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

KOMANANGI: Instagram, Facebook

FONEB: Instagram, Facebook

BV Timor-Leste (BVTL): Instagram, Facebook

BV Global: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube

The analysis will assess the current content themes and formats, posting frequency and consistency, audience engagement, content performance and channel characteristics. It should identify key strengths, gaps and opportunities to improve content and storytelling, including opportunities for cross-posting and amplification across channels.

The consultant will also assess the media landscape in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, identifying relevant media outlets, journalists and emerging trends related to conservation, small-scale fisheries, coastal communities, climate and other issues relevant to the MBZ programme. This should include potential media partners and engagement channels, as well as opportunities to strengthen the programme’s visibility through media outreach.

Social Media and Media Engagement Planning

The consultant will develop a practical Social Media and Media Engagement Plan from October 2026 to December 2027, including: key audiences, communications objectives, key messages and content themes, recommended content formats, social media approach and strategy, media engagement opportunities, content development and approval workflow. It should align with programme activities, milestones, relevant thematic days, and opportunities to communicate programme results and learning.

Content Calendar and Story Pipeline

The consultant will develop a content calendar and story pipeline covering the implementation period through December 2027. The calendar should identify the proposed content or story, format, target channel, timing, required materials, and responsible person or team. The pipeline should include opportunities for social media posts and stories, website articles, photo stories, editorial content, and media pitches. This will enable the communications team to plan ahead, gather materials and coordinate communications activities in a timely manner. 

Initial Social Media Content Development

During the consultancy period, the consultant will support the development and coordination of initial content to test the proposed approach. This will include a minimum target of two social media posts per month across partner and BV channels, including FORKANI, KOMANANGI, and FONEB, and one relevant content opportunity per month for BV Global social media.

Content may cover topics such as the seagrass ecosystem and dugong conservation, small-scale fisheries, community-led fisheries management, food security and livelihoods, financial inclusion, value chain improvements, local knowledge and community experiences, government engagement, regional learning and exchange, and other project activities and milestones. The consultant will coordinate with relevant teams and partners to identify stories and obtain photographs, videos, quotes, data, and other supporting materials.

Storytelling and Media Engagement

The consultant will identify and develop potential field stories that can be adapted for different audiences and channels. This may include website article concepts, photo-story ideas, editorial ideas, human-interest stories, and opportunities for partner and BV amplification. The focus should be on stories that demonstrate what is happening, why it matters, who is involved, what is changing, and what can be learned.

Partner Engagement and Capacity Support

The consultant will work with partners, regional communications teams, and technical teams to identify potential stories and communications opportunities, support partners in developing content for their own channels, provide practical guidance on storytelling and social media content, support the collection of photographs, videos, quotes, and other materials, encourage consistent use of the content calendar and story pipeline, and ensure appropriate consent and ethical approaches when using community stories and images.

Expected Results

• Social Media Channel Analysis and Media Landscape Report: analysis of FORKANI, KOMANANGI, FONEB, BV Timor-Leste and BV Global social media channels, including key findings, gaps and recommendations, alongside an assessment of the media landscape and opportunities for engagement. Due: end of October 2026.
• Social Media and Media Engagement Plan covering October 2026 – December 2027 for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, including audiences, messages, content themes, channels, formats, media opportunities and implementation approach. Due: end of October 2026.
• Content Calendar and Story Pipeline: a detailed content calendar and story pipeline covering October 2026 – December 2027 across local partner, country, regional and global communications channels. Due: end of October 2026.
• Scientific Publication and Research Dissemination: translation of BV’s scientific publications into accessible and engaging content for non-specialist audiences, including social media, articles and other public-facing formats. Identify and pursue relevant opportunities to amplify BV research through mainstream media and other appropriate channels, ensuring key findings are communicated accurately while reaching audiences beyond the scientific community. Period: October – December 2026.  
• Initial Content Development: development and coordination of initial content during the consultancy period, including a minimum of two social media posts per month across partner and BV Timor-Leste channels, at least one relevant BV Global Instagram/LinkedIn opportunity per month, and selected stories, article concepts, photo-story ideas and editorial opportunities. Period: October – December 2026.
• Partner Support and Handover: practical guidance for relevant BV and partner teams on identifying stories, developing content, using the content calendar and coordinating publication across channels. Due: end of December 2026.
• Press Release Guidance and Template: development of practical guidance and a reusable press release template for BV and partner teams, including guidance on identifying newsworthy programme developments, government engagements, events and research outputs; structuring key messages; tailoring releases for different audiences; and coordinating media outreach. Due: end December 2026. 
• Final Review and Recommendations: a brief final report summarising activities completed, key challenges and opportunities, recommendations for implementing the plan through December 2027, and recommended next steps for maintaining the content pipeline. Due: mid-December 2026.

Timeline

Knowledge and Skills 

• Demonstrated experience in social media strategy, content development, storytelling and media engagement.
• Science communication experience – experience translating scientific, technical, or research-based information into clear, engaging content for non-technical audiences is preferred.
• Experience developing communications plans for NGOs working in marine conservation, fisheries, environment, development or related programmes.
• Strong understanding of Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Strong writing and editing skills in English.
• Experience developing community-centred and human-interest stories.
• Ability to translate technical information into clear and engaging content.
• Experience working with teams with different levels of communications capacity.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience managing content calendars and coordinating multiple contributors.
• (Desirable) Experience working in Indonesia and/or Timor-Leste.
• (Desirable) Knowledge of local media and social media landscapes.
• (Desirable) Experience in conservation, small-scale fisheries, seagrass, dugong conservation or community-led natural resource management.
• (Desirable) Bahasa Indonesia and/or Tetum language skills.

Benefits

• The total remuneration for this consultancy is USD 2,500

Job Requirements

The consultant should have:

• Demonstrated experience in social media strategy, content development, storytelling, and media engagement.
• Experience developing communications plans for NGOs working in marine conservation, fisheries, environment, development, or related programmes.
• Strong understanding of Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Strong writing and editing skills in English.
• Experience developing community-centred and human-interest stories.
• Ability to translate technical information into clear and engaging content.
• Experience working with teams with different levels of communications capacity.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience managing content calendars and coordinating multiple contributors.

The following would be an advantage:

• Experience working in Indonesia and/or Timor-Leste.
• Knowledge of local media and social media landscapes.
• Experience in conservation, small-scale fisheries, seagrass, dugong conservation, or community-led natural resource management.
• Bahasa Indonesia and/or Tetum language skills.

How to Apply

Please send your application and technical/financial proposal via email to:

Yoga: yoga.putra@blueventures.org

Habibah: habibah.hermanadi@blueventures.org

Melna: melna.saraswati@blueventures.org