The Ethiopian Media Council is seeking an expert consultant or team of consultants to design and produce a comprehensive, practical Training Manual for journalists, media managers, and civil society actors.

Terms of Reference (TOR)

1. Background and Context

In a vibrant civic space, a free, independent, and professional media sector serves as a cornerstone of democracy, accountability, and public discourse. However, journalists and media organizations increasingly face complex challenges, ranging from legal and regulatory pressures to digital threats and polarizing political environments.

To safeguard the independence of the press, it is critical to strengthen internal standards through Media Self-Regulation and foster defensive networks through Professional Solidarity. This initiative aims to commission an expert consultant (or team of consultants) to design and produce a comprehensive, practical Training Manual that equips journalists, media managers, and civil society actors with the tools necessary to navigate these challenges safely and professionally.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objective is to develop a high-quality, practical, and context-sensitive Training Manual.

The manual will serve as a foundational tool to:

• Deepen understanding of Freedom of the Press frameworks, international standards, and constitutional protections within civic spaces.
• Operationalize Media Self-Regulation, including code of ethics implementation, independent press councils, and internal accountability mechanisms.
• Cultivate Professional Solidarity to establish mutual support networks, safety protocols, and collaborative defense mechanisms against legal, physical, and digital attacks.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will be responsible for the following tasks:

Phase I: Inception & Desk Review

• Conduct a desk review of international best practices, existing regional media guidelines, local legal frameworks, and gaps in current media training resources.
• Engage with key stakeholders (e.g., journalist associations, media councils, human rights defenders) to map out priority training needs.
• Submit a brief Inception Report outlining the manual’s structure, methodology, and work plan.

Phase II: Drafting the Training Manual

Develop a modular, user-friendly manual written in accessible language, complete with practical case studies, interactive exercises, and assessment tools. The core thematic modules must include:

Topic 1: Freedom of the Press in Civic Space

• International and regional standards on freedom of expression.
• The role of media in protecting and expanding civic space.
• Navigating restrictive laws (e.g., defamation, anti-state laws, digital security acts).

Topic 2: Media Self-Regulation & Ethics

• The philosophy of self-regulation vs. state regulation.
• Drafting, implementing, and enforcing Journalism Codes of Ethics.
• The role and functions of independent Press Councils and media ombudspersons.
• Handling public complaints and correcting errors transparently.

Topic 3: Professional Solidarity & Collective Safety

• Building solidarity networks among rival media houses and freelance journalists.
• Coordinated responses to threats, legal harassment (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation - SLAPPs), and physical attacks.
• Psychosocial support systems and addressing burnout within peer networks.
• Gender-sensitive safety and inclusivity in professional media associations.

Phase III: Validation & Finalization

• Present the draft manual at a validation workshop with select media stakeholders.
• Integrate feedback from the workshop and peer reviewers.
• Deliver the final, copy-edited, print-ready version of the Training Manual alongside a brief "Train-the-Trainer" implementation guide.

4. Key Deliverables and Timeline

The assignment is expected to take [e.g., 30-45 working days] over a period of [e.g., 45 days], commencing on [July 01/2026].

Interested candidates should submit the following by [June 30/2026]:

5. Institutional Arrangements

• Reporting: The consultant will report directly to the [Insert Project Manager/Organization Name].
• Support: The hiring organization will provide relevant internal project documents, facilitate introductions to local media networks, and cover logistics/costs associated with the validation workshop.

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

The ideal consultant or team should possess:

• An advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Law, Human Rights, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in journalism, media development, or media law advocacy.
• Proven track record of designing curriculum, training toolkits, or educational manuals for adult learners/professionals.
• Deep conceptual understanding of press freedom, media ethics, mechanism design for self-regulation, and the safety of journalists.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in [English].

7. Evaluation and Application Process

• Interested candidates should submit the following:
• Technical Proposal: A brief description of the proposed approach, methodology, and a initial outline of the manual (Max 4 pages).

1. Financial Proposal: A breakdown of the total cost (consultancy fees, logistics, and any direct production expenses).

2. CVs & Portfolios: Up-to-date CVs of all personnel involved and 1–2 examples of similar manuals or training tools previously authored.

8. Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated using cumulative analysis: Consultant's qualifications and relevant experience

• Proposed methodology and approach
• Budget feasibility and Copies of renewable licenses in the field and TAX/VAT identification documents
  • Technical Proposal: 60%
  • Financial Proposal: 40%

Application

Send to email: etmediacouncil@gmail.com

Submit Physically: Mesqel Square Finifine Building 8th Floor

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-06-30
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-06-30 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: Ethiopian Media Council
• Buyer TIN: 0067343941
• Published: Jun 22, 2026
• Posted at: 2026-06-22T09:35:38.000Z
• Buyer website: https://ethiopianmediacouncil.org/