Communications Lead - iWork Programme

Provide translation and interpretation services between Chinese and Amharic, as well as between Chinese and English, primarily focusing on oral interpretation at the project site.

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR): Consultancy Service to Deliver Training on Strengthening Collective Action for Freedom of Expression through Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Engagement, Coalition Building, and Rights-Based Reporting

1. Background

The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, not-for-profit civil society organization registered in Ethiopia under the Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019, with registration number 4307. CARD envisions an Ethiopia where democratic culture flourishes on the basis of human rights values. Its mission is to empower citizens and civic groups to promote and defend human rights and contribute to the development of a democratic society.

Journalists and media professionals play a critical role in promoting freedom of expression, informing the public, strengthening accountability, and facilitating democratic participation. Through independent, accurate, and evidence-based reporting, journalists contribute to public awareness, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights. However, challenges affecting freedom of expression require journalists to strengthen their professional capacity to document and report violations, engage relevant policy stakeholders, and collaborate in addressing common challenges affecting press freedom and media independence.

Collective action among journalists and media professionals can strengthen advocacy efforts, amplify evidence-based reporting, promote constructive policy dialogue, and contribute to an enabling environment for freedom of expression. This requires practical skills in evidence-based journalism, rights-based reporting, strategic advocacy, policy engagement, coalition building, and the ethical and safe documentation of freedom of expression violations.

Under the Strengthening Collaboration for Rights, Empowerment, and Democracy (SCORED)    Project, implemented by CARD with the support of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), CARD intends to organize a training titled “Strengthening Collective Action for Freedom of Expression through Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Engagement, Coalition Building, and Rights-Based Reporting” in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Bahir Dar.

The training aims to strengthen journalists’ capacity to produce evidence-based reports, engage in policy advocacy, build professional coalitions, and collectively promote and protect freedom of expression. Through this initiative, CARD seeks to enhance collaboration among journalists and strengthen their role in advancing freedom of expression, media accountability, and democratic participation. CARD therefore seeks to engage a qualified consultant with demonstrated expertise in journalism, media freedom, human rights, and advocacy to design and deliver the training across the three cities.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of journalists and media professionals to work collectively to promote and protect freedom of expression through evidence-based journalism, strategic advocacy, policy engagement, coalition building, and rights-based reporting.

3. Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

• Strengthen journalists’ understanding of freedom of expression, press freedom, and relevant national and international human rights standards.
• Enhance participants’ skills in evidence gathering, verification, documentation, and the production of accurate, credible, and evidence-based reports on freedom of expression.
• Build journalists’ capacity to develop advocacy messages, campaigns, and strategies addressing challenges to freedom of expression and media independence.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to engage policymakers, relevant institutions, and other stakeholders through evidence-informed policy dialogue and recommendations.
• Promote collaboration and coalition building among journalists, media organizations, and relevant professional networks to advance shared press freedom priorities.
• Enhance journalists’ understanding of ethical reporting, protection of sources, digital and physical safety, and the do-no-harm principle when covering sensitive issues.
• Support participants to develop practical collective action plans for promoting freedom of expression in their respective locations.

4. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for designing and delivering a practical, participatory, and context-sensitive training for journalists and media professionals in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Bahir Dar.

4.1. Training Design and Preparation

The consultant shall:

• Conduct an initial consultation with CARD to clarify the training objectives, participant profile, expected outcomes, and logistical arrangements.
• Develop a detailed training methodology, agenda, session plans, and practical learning activities.
• Prepare training materials, presentations, case studies, exercises, and examples relevant to journalism and the Ethiopian media context.
• Incorporate participatory approaches, including group discussions, case analysis, reporting exercises, and peer learning.
• Ensure that the training content is adapted to the professional needs and experiences of the participating journalists.

4.2. Training Delivery

The consultant shall deliver the training in all three cities, covering the following thematic areas:

•  Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom
•  Evidence-Based Journalism and Reporting
•  Evidence-Based Advocacy and Policy Engagement
•  Coalition Building and Collective Action among Journalists
•  Rights-Based Reporting, Ethics, and Source Protection
• Journalist Safety and Digital Security
•  Practical Exercises and Collective Action Planning

4.3. Training Evaluation and Reporting

The consultant shall:

• Conduct pre-training and post-training assessments to measure changes in participants’ knowledge and skills.
• Collect participant feedback and assess the relevance and effectiveness of the training.
• Document key discussions, practical exercises, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Prepare a consolidated training report covering the three cities.
• Submit all training materials, assessment results, and other agreed supporting documents to CARD.

5. Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Inception report and training plan: A document outlining the proposed methodology, detailed agenda, session plans, and work plan for the three cities.
• Training materials: Presentations, facilitator notes, case studies, practical exercises, and relevant reference materials.
• Training delivery: Successful delivery of the agreed training sessions for journalists in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Bahir Dar.
• Assessment results: Pre-training and post-training assessment tools, summarized findings, and participant feedback.
• Collective action plans: Practical action plans developed by participants to strengthen collaboration and advocacy for freedom of expression, including opportunities for cross-city collaboration.
• Consolidated training report: A report detailing the training process, participation, key outcomes, assessment findings, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Director: Communications, External Relations and Advocacy

MSI Ethiopia Reproductive Choices

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

About MSI Ethiopia Reproductive Choices

MSI Ethiopia Reproductive Choices is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia, delivering quality, client-centered care through static clinics, outreach programs, social marketing, and public-sector partnerships. We are committed to ensuring that every individual can exercise their reproductive rights and access high-quality services.

We are seeking a highly qualified and strategic professional to join our leadership team as Director – Communications, External Relations and Advocacy.

The Position

Reporting to the Country Director,  Communications, External Relations and Advocacy Director will lead MSI Ethiopia’s communications, advocacy, media engagement, and external relations functions. The role will be responsible for strengthening the organization’s visibility, influence, partnerships, and reputation while advancing policy and advocacy objectives that support access to quality sexual and reproductive health services.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will engage with government institutions, donors, media, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders to position MSI Ethiopia as a trusted and influential voice in reproductive health.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement organizational communication strategies and annual communication plans.
• Lead the production of high-quality communication materials, publications, digital content, and success stories.
• Ensure compliance with MSI branding standards and donor visibility requirements.
• Manage MSI Ethiopia’s digital platforms and public-facing communications.

Advocacy and External Relations

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance reproductive health and rights.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, donors, development partners, professional associations, and civil society organizations.
• Prepare policy briefs, advocacy messages, and position papers.
• Represent MSI Ethiopia in national forums, technical working groups, and strategic platforms.

Media and Public Affairs

• Lead media engagement and public relations activities.
• Develop key messages, press releases, speeches, and briefing materials.
• Manage media inquiries and support organizational reputation management.
• Coordinate communication responses during emergencies or sensitive situations.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and mentor communications and advocacy staff.
• Manage departmental plans, budgets, and external service providers.
• Strengthen communication and advocacy capacity across the organization.