Terms of Reference
Job Title: Consultancy to conduct a research on sustainability, pricing and feasibility for media and journalism training.
Type of Contract: Individual Contractors
Required number of candidate: 1
Language Required: English and Amharic
Deadline for Application: September 23,2022
Expected Starting Date: september 26, 2022
Studies conducted by Mersa Media Institute in partnership with DW Akademie indicated significant gaps in competency and skills in the media workforce and unmet demand from media outlets for tailored practical training provisions that address the professional quality of their staff. Capitalizing on the insights learned from these studies and the experience gained out of the engagement in the media sector, MMI and DW Akademie are now partnering to provide media training packages with the goal to produce the next generation of digital storytellers, platform developers, and marketing professionals for the Ethiopian media market (established and startup). Mersa Media Institute is positioning itself to becoming a training provider on media and journalism education in Ethiopia. As a training provider, MMI aspires to provide trainings based on fair and reasonable pricing schemes for all media houses, new entrants and practicing journalists. The purpose of the consultancy is to assess the sustainability, pricing and feasibility for MMI’s practical training packages.
Who can apply?
The aim is to bring an experienced media expert who will conduct a study on sustainability, pricing and costing, and feasibility strategy for practical training packages anchored at Mersa Media Institute. MMI and DW Akademie are looking for 1 passionate Ethiopian expert with an experience and knowledge in Ethiopian media industry. The engagement of the expert spans from September 26, 2022 to November 07, 2022.
We would love to hear from you if you:
– Have a demonstrated history of conducting research on media audiences, media institutions, media technology, the political-economy of the local media, and demand vs supply of the media market in Ethiopia.
– Have prior experience in designing media viability strategy for both start-up and established media houses.
– Have a well-grounded knowledge and experience in producing content for the local audience.
– Have proven experience in conducting researches for local and international media development organizations on media, journalism, communication and related aspects.
– Have reliable internet connection for remote work during briefing sessions, progress updates and meetings as required.
– Can participate in meetings in-person at MMI office for feedback and reflections as required.
– Have good communication skills to maintain smooth and collaborative relationship with an MMI staff, and the project partner.
Scope of work
The study includes assessing the current practice on media and journalism training in terms of pricing and costing, sustainability and feasibility, conducting interviews with key informants, producing a report and making recommendations for action. It mainly includes assessing:
a) Current media and journalism training packages provided by different actors in light of pricing, costing, sustainability and feasibility.
b) Financial capacity and will of training participants mainly new entrants including both fresh graduates and professionals who intend to switch to journalism, practicing journalists, and media houses in order to set fair pricing scheme for the training at MMI.
c) Factors affecting trainee’s ability and willingness to pay for journalism courses.
d) Revenue generation and total operational costs in short-term, mid and long term: proper cost estimation in light of the price that will be fetched from the training.
e) An average cost for a daily training per the size of training participants.
f) Incentive mechanisms for training participants and means of maintaining sustainable relationship between MMI and the trainees.
g) Convenient training schedules for new entrants mainly fresh graduates and other professionals who are planning to take journalism training to join the media.
h) Other factors that will impact the pricing and costing scheme in the coming five years.
Who are we?
MERSA Media Institute is a nonprofit media policy think tank. We work to help create vibrant, responsible, and independent media institutions, professional unions, and education centers through research, capacity building, and institutional support in Ethiopia. DW Akademie is Deutsche Welle’s center for international media development. As a strategic partner of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, DW Akademie carries out media development projects that strengthen the human right to freedom of opinion and promote free access to information.
How to Apply:
If you meet the criteria mentioned above, we invite you to apply. Qualified and interested experts are asked to send a resume and a letter of interest (1 page) that explains why you qualify for the consultancy to mersamultimedia@gmail.com until September 23 rd at 5.30 pm EAT.
MERSA Media Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
