Call for Tenders for a (E) Consultants (E) Journalist Production of Mupaka Shamba Letu.II Radio Broadcasts

NOTICE OF CALL FOR TENDERS FOR A CONSULTANT JOURNALIST

PRODUCTION OF MUPAKA SHAMBA LETU.II RADIOS BROADCASTS (MSL.II)

SUB NO.: Ref IA/MSL/CALL FOR TENDERS/009/ADM-RH/2024

Background & Rationale:

International Alert (Alert) is an independent peacebuilding organization with 30 years of experience. We work with people affected by violent conflict to support their prospects for peace. Our interventions are based on research, advocacy, capacity building, inclusive dialogue and citizen participation. We also influence the policies and working methods of governments, international organizations and multinational companies to reduce the risks of conflict and strengthen the prospects for peace. More details are available on our website:  https://www.international-alert.org/

We have submitted and been awarded a project to strengthen peace and stability in the Great Lakes region through cross-border trade, entitled “Mupaka Shamba Letu: The Border, Our Livelihood”, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC Switzerland). This project, which will be implemented in the border areas of the DRC (North and South Kivu), Rwanda (Rubavu, Rusizi and Nyaruguru) and Burundi (Bujumbura, Cibitoke and Ngozi), as well as in the capitals Kinshasa, Kigali and Bujumbura, aims to strengthen social cohesion and address the root causes of conflict.

Building on the successes of the Tushiriki Wote and Mupaka Shamba Letu Phase I projects, this project aims to promote an inclusive society and sustainable peace by strengthening the role of women traders in border communities. Intervention strategies include knowledge building, dialogue, networking, coordination and advocacy.

The production and broadcasting of Mupaka Shamba Letu II radio programs will be developed to facilitate the exchange of experiences between traders from different border areas and to raise awareness among local authorities and the population of the challenges faced by cross-border operators. These programs will support advocacy activities with responsible agencies and political-administrative authorities at local, national and regional levels.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

This consultancy aims to produce four radio programs/broadcasts per month on legal practices in cross-border transactions, exchanges of experiences between women small cross-border traders (FPCTs) and decisions taken by border officials and authorities at local, national and regional levels to improve the economic situation of FPCTs and their role in peacebuilding in the Great Lakes countries. The Mupaka Shamba Letu communication campaign covers the border areas of Goma-Rubavu, Bukavu-Rusizi, Kamanyola-Bugarama, Uvira-Gatumba, Ngozi and Huye.

In practical terms, this communication campaign will meet the following specific objectives:

• Collect, process, produce and share radio broadcasts (magazines) to improve the understanding of FPCTs, political authorities, border personnel and the population living in border towns on the challenges and obstacles of small cross-border trade in the Great Lakes region.
• To provide an opportunity for FPCTs from these borders to share their positive experiences, the challenges they encounter and how they overcome them.
• Host popular forums for discussion by site on issues of cross-border trade in the Great Lakes region.
• Produce live broadcasts and monitor delayed broadcasts.
• Supervise the collectors of sound elements in the field, compile and insert these elements into the various radio productions.

Consultancy Results, Role and Responsibilities

The work to be carried out as part of this consultancy will produce the following results:

• Production of a spot (jingle) to present the vision of the MSLII media communication campaign, radio broadcast schedules in the local language, donors and implementing partners.
• Compilation of the elements collected in the field (intervention sites) to assemble the testimonies, reports from women small cross-border traders, political authorities, experts, researchers, border service personnel and local communities on the two themes in deferred mode, as well as two other programs to be produced in rotation per chosen site.
• If necessary, organize training sessions for field collectors and journalists to improve their skills in data collection, editing and production.
• Editing of jingles, collected testimonies, two delayed broadcasts and elements to be produced for two live broadcasts.
• Sharing of delayed broadcasts, jingles and already translated sounds via WeTransfer for censorship before broadcast on partner radios.
• Conducting a live broadcast every month, in rotation, with popular expression platforms and other media awareness sessions under the direction of the Advocacy and Communication Officer.

Below are the roles of International Alert and journalist consultant in the stages of developing programs and validating media content:

• International Alert will contact partner radio stations and agree on broadcast times at the borders of Goma-Rubavu, Bukavu-Rusizi, Kamanyola-Bugarama and Ngozi-Huye/Nyaruguru.
• The themes will be determined in consultation between International Alert and the three journalists.
• The broadcasts will be produced in a series of two delayed and two live broadcasts per month, with the schedules approved in advance by International Alert.
• The journalist will use his/her own sound recording equipment, edit and record the broadcasts, centralize the collection of elements by site and ensure that all sounds are taken into account in the border areas targeted by the MSL II Project.
• The programs produced will be submitted to International Alert for audition, validation and dispatch to broadcasting partner radio stations.
• After each broadcast, an evaluation will be made to collect feedback from listeners and partners, thus allowing future broadcasts to be adjusted and improved.
• Payments will be made based on the shows produced within the required time frame and not on the number of days worked. However, for live shows, an internal discussion will be considered for on-field feasibility.

Methodology, Duration of the consultancy and key stages

International Alert is looking for a Consultant of Rwandan nationality or a private company registered in Rwanda who will jointly carry out the Mupaka Shamba Letu II media communication campaign.  The consultancy will last one year from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

The production cycle of the programs can be carried out in two successive weeks including:

• One week for the preparation and validation of the drivers for the series of two broadcasts to be produced for delayed broadcast and two other live broadcasts per rotating site, based on the themes chosen by the results of the MSL II Project;
• One week for collecting testimonies at the borders in collaboration with the targeted focal points, editing and recording for the series of two delayed broadcasts, two others to be broadcast live by sites and the four spots (Jingles) for broadcast;
• The same week will be reserved for listening, validation of the series of four broadcasts and four spots (Jingles) and shipments by International Alert to partner radio stations for broadcasting.

Required profile:

• Be a resident or permanent citizen of Rwanda;
• Hold a post-graduate degree in social science, journalism, communication, media or a similar field;
• Demonstrate at least 3 years of experience in producing thematic programmes in the areas of human rights, gender, conflict sensitivity, participation in decision-making, entrepreneurship and peacebuilding;
• Excellent ability to analyze and write detailed radio broadcast schedules;
• Excellent command of sound processing software and use of digital dictaphones;
• Adapt to working with the sound collectors by sites of the MSLII Project;
• Have proven excellent skills in collecting testimonies and recording radio broadcasts with state-of-the-art equipment;
• Be familiar with the MSLII Project intervention sites;
• Have mastery of Kinyarwanda and depending on the context French and Swahili (speaking and writing);
• Fluency in English is an asset.

Terms and conditions :

The consultant who meets the conditions and criteria listed above must send an application file which includes:

• A cover letter clearly explaining why he/she is an ideal candidate;
• An updated CV, highlighting your qualifications and experience;
• A transmission driver already produced by you, signed;
• A financial proposal indicating the amount of fees requested per broadcast (including all costs related to the production of the broadcasts);
• Three references from other organizations you have worked with on similar activities.

How to apply.

Complete Application files must be sent by email only (hard files will not be accepted) to the following address:

Email:  Rwanda@international-alert.org

Deadline for submission of applications:  August 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (GMT)

Please mention the reference of the offer:  CONSULTANT JOURNALIST FOR MSL.II

Selection method

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted for further processing.

Candidates who meet the required criteria will be contacted for practical exercises followed by in-depth interviews.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged.

FOR THE MANAGEMENT