Request for Quotations: Consulting Service

24 October 2021

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) Terms of Reference – Baseline Study

Project title	Promoting media freedom and access to quality information in Guinea-Bissau
Project Location	Guinea-Bissau
Project duration	3 years
Project Founder	European Union

Background:

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is a regional, independent and non-partisan non-governmental organization that works to promote freedom of expression and media development across West Africa. Over the past 24 years, the MFWA has worked with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and partners at national, regional and international level to contribute to improving the media landscape and freedom of expression in West Africa. More details about the MFWA can be found on our website www.mfwa.org.

The MFWA has received a grant from the European Union for a three-year project to support the media sector in Guinea Bissau. The project is entitled: Promoting media freedom and access to quality information in Guinea-Bissau and its overall objective is to ensure that: Journalists and other media actors in Guinea-Bissau are safe and protected, and produce ethically appropriate, timely and factual journalistic content that promotes peaceful coexistence and allows public access to quality information in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The objective and results of the project should be pursued through the following trilateral approaches:

Strengthen the capacity of media actors (media associations and unions) to monitor and document violations of media and freedom of expression (including digital rights). The main unions and associations targeted include the union of all journalists (SINJOTECS), the community radio network (RENARC), the Association of Journalists and Media Professionals, and the Association of Journalists (Ordem dos Jornalistas da Guiné-Bissau). The aim is to increase their institutional efficiency to monitor and document violations of media rights and freedom of expression; facilitate joint advocacy by media actors for recognition and respect for media freedom; and engender collaborative partnerships and links between local media actors and regional and international actors to campaign for redress for violations of media freedoms and freedom of expression;
Increase the capacity of key state actors on human rights and media issues and build collaborative partnerships with local media actors to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression: Strengthen the capacity of 5 key state actors (the police, the military, regulatory bodies, the judiciary, the Human Rights Commission) on human rights and media issues; promote collaboration between relevant state institutions and local media actors; develop joint frameworks and mechanisms to promote and safeguard the safety of journalists; and provide platforms to address violations against media personnel;
Strengthen the capacity of media organizations and professionals to increase their ability to produce quality, factual and ethical content and counter messages of radicalization and violent extremism: Strengthen the capacity of at least 60 journalists and directors of 10 media organizations (7 radio stations, 2 print and 1 online) on ethical journalism; support them in producing quality, factual and ethical content; and improve their capacities in promoting media-led advocacy to counter radicalization and violent extremism. In addition, 35 media influencers will also be trained in using the media to counter radicalization and violent extremism messages.

In the end, we aim to have the following general results:

a. Local non-state media actors have increased their institutional capacities, as well as their abilities to monitor and document violations of media rights and freedom of expression, and collectively, at a local level and in partnership with international actors, campaign for redress for violations;

b. Key state actors have increased their capacities on human rights issues (especially media rights and freedom of expression issues) and increased collaboration with local media actors to protect and defend media personnel and other victims of human rights violations;

c. Journalists and directors of 10 major media organizations have increased their capacities to produce quality, factual and ethical content that discourages extremist radicalization trends and allows citizens access to quality information.

2. Objective of the baseline study

The aim of the baseline study is to determine, through a qualitative and quantitative analysis, the current context in relation to the main elements, Objectives and intended results (targets) of the project. The study will help establish baseline values for key indicators, as well as serving as a reference for monitoring and evaluation purposes. In addition, the results of the study will also be used to ensure evidence-based advocacy with stakeholders and partners.

According to the project’s objective and results, the baseline study should help establish the following:

The current capacity of local media actors (SINJOTECS, RENARC, Association of Women Journalists and Association of Journalists). This should include an assessment of the extent to which the actors carry out activities in line with their mission and objectives. Capacity indicators should include the existence or otherwise of institutional management policy documents, such as human resources policy, membership policy, fundraising policy, financial and administrative policy, etc. The assessment should also include the extent to which (if any) local actors monitor, document, report and advocate on issues of freedom of expression violations (including media violations). The assessment of the actors’ capacity should also include their levels of links or membership to regional and international actors and the extent to which they have or have not collaborated with these external actors on press freedom, freedom of expression and media development issues in the last three years.
The number and nature (types) of incidents of violations of press freedom and freedom of expression during the last three years and whether or not there have been specific measures adopted by the state to address such violations over the years.
The level of reporting (may be in numbers) on media freedom and freedom of expression issues in Guinea-Bissau by international media actors (NGOs), independently or in collaboration with local actors in Guinea-Bissau.
The state of professional challenges (ethical issues, hate speech and content that promotes extremist views) in the media and general assessment of the media’s professional output
Measures in place (if any) by state actors to address violations of press freedom and media freedom
The level (can be numbers) and types of human rights, press freedom and freedom of expression violations by security agencies and personnel in the last three years
The level and types of collaboration (formal or informal) that exists between state actors and media actors to improve media freedom, freedom of expression and the fight against violent extremism in the country

Methodology and scope of work

The specific details of the study design and methodology will be discussed and agreed with the project implementation team at the start of the consultancy. But generally, the study will involve different data collection methods: document review, direct observation, quantitative survey, interviews and, if possible, focus group discussions. The development of the methodology will involve the following steps: The key project documents (full proposal, log frame) of the project will be shared with the consultant. The consultant will then carry out a desk review of all the documentation; prepare a questionnaire and interview guide with the project manager and coordinator; and prepare a work plan together with the project team.

The task will be carried out in person in Guinea-Bissau, working in coordination with the project coordinator and under the supervision of the project manager.

Deadline

The baseline study will take place during November 2021. The work plan will indicate dates and specific tasks and milestones. A draft report will be presented at the end of November and the MFWA will have one week to submit comments with a final report that will be taken into account, with the MFWA’s comments being gathered at a summit by December 15, 2021.

Final report

The final report to be written in Portuguese or English (depending on the language skills of the Consultant) should include the following sections:

Executive summary (max. 4 pages)
Introduction
Objectives of the baseline study
Methodology used
Analysis of the main results (according to the result indicators described in section 2 of this TOR)
Conclusions and recommendations

Skills and Experience

We are looking for a consultant who meets the following requirements:

Minimum Master’s degree in relevant field (Journalism, Social Sciences, etc.)
Proven experience in carrying out project-based research, especially in the field of media and freedom of expression
Report writing skills
In-depth knowledge and experience of media development and freedom of expression issues, especially in the West African context.
Knowledge of the Guinea-Bissau context will be an advantage.
A demonstrable record of previous experience in similar missions will be an added advantage

Terms and conditions

Consultants who meet the requirements must submit an expression of interest which must include the following:

A statement of aptitude, including commitment and availability for the whole mission
Curriculum vitae that clearly explains qualifications and experience
A brief statement on the proposed study methodology, including a draft work plan
Sample or links to at least two previous reports written by the consultant

Budget

A financial proposal containing a daily rate proposal must be submitted. This should not include flight and subsistence costs, as these will be covered separately by the MFWA.