Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Training of Trainers workshop for consortium staff on the use of social media platforms, message dissemination, verifying and identifying fake or inciting messages and the ethics of sharing/forwarding messages on social media platforms, and Training of Media Outlets on inclusive and gender and conflict-sensitive reporting, and social accountability. 

 Program Title: Strengthened Peace Infrastructure and Accountability through Community-led Peacebuilding and Empowerment of Women and Youth as Leaders in Sierra Leone.

1. 1. Brief Overview

Trócaire is an Irish development agency that was established in 1973 by the Catholic Bishops of Ireland and whose work is inspired by Catholic Social teachings, with an overarching commitment to social justice. Trócaire works in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Trócaire works in partnership with local organizations in developing countries and with the people in Ireland to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice.

In Sierra Leone Trócaire was established in 1995 implementing programmes on governance, human rights, women’s empowerment, prevention, response to gender-based violence, sustainable livelihoods, climate change, peacebuilding, and humanitarian response. We work in partnership with several local Civil Society Organizations that directly implement projects in communities in Port Loko, Kambia, Karene, Bombali, Kono, Bo, Kenema, Western Area Rural and Urban districts. 

About the project

In July 2023, Trócaire secured funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID titled Strengthened Peace Infrastructure and Accountability through Community-led Peacebuilding and Empowerment of Women and Youth as Leaders in Sierra Leone. The 36-month project will be implemented by a consortium of CSOs – Social Enterprise for Development Sierra Leone (SEND-SL) – Local Entity, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) – Local Entity, Women’s Forum for Human Rights, and Development (WOFHRAD) – Local Entity, Association for the Wellbeing of Communities & Development (ABC-D) – Local Entity.  

The overarching purpose of the project is to support a people-to-people peacebuilding approach in addressing issues of social cohesion and politically motivated violence. The project also sets out to support the empowerment of marginalized groups, such as women, youth, and Commercial Motor riders, through taking up positions of leadership within their communities as Peacebuilding Ambassadors.

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of politically motivated violence through the people-to-people peacebuilding approaches in Western Area Rural, Kambia, Bombali, Karene and Kono Districts. The specific objective of the project is to empower women and youth to have increased voice and leadership as peacebuilders and actively contribute to the strengthening of “peace infrastructure” at local and national levels.

To achieve its objectives, the project will use the following approaches/methodologies:

• People-to-People Methodology (“Connector” Events, Dialogue & Building Trust)
• Youth-centred “Planting the Seeds of Peace” approach.
• Capacity strengthening of local CSO partners.
• Women and youth socio-economic empowerment

Recent outbreaks of violence are indicative of the weakened social contract between the state and its citizens, especially youth and women. There is a general lack of trust in governmental institutions, limited efficiency of decentralization and weak accountability mechanisms for the delivery and fair distribution of public goods and services. Poor coordination and communication between the government, local authorities, civil society, and media outlets further contributes to limited or poor-quality information and weak social accountability mechanisms. It is within this context that misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content has been allowed to flourish and thrive.

As demonstrated by the ‘explosion of violence’ which took place during citizen-led protests across the country on August 10, 2022, the situation in Sierra Leone has the potential to rapid destabilize. Fueled by growing frustration with the cost of living and rising inflation, the protests quickly became violent. Social media platforms proved instrumental in organizing the protest, and sharing information and updates related to protest, police, and government activities. Alleged government disruption of internet and phone services amid the protests further underlines the integral role that information will have in our democracy. 

The project’s theory believes that if women and youth have access to accurate, trusted information and increased peacebuilding, economic, and political capacity to act as powerholders in Sierra Leone; then they will have greater access to opportunities and be able to control and contribute to social, economic, and political decision making. The benefits accruing for women and youth will also benefit their families and communities, ultimately strengthening local civil society. A strengthened civil society and empowered women and youth will help create an enhanced enabling environment for peace, improving overall resilience to withstand external shocks, such as politically motivated violence.

Underpinning the theory is the assumption that if women and youth have increased capacity to work towards their social, economic, and political capacity safely, they will be able to effectively work individually and collectively to influence relevant stakeholders at all levels to tackle instability and violence. Strategies to engage powerholders and call them to account, through training of service providers and other stakeholders and support to citizen-led advocacy initiatives further underpin this logic. Together with stronger networks and strengthened civil society, empowered women and youth will enhance communities’ peace infrastructure and ultimately contribute to positive peace in Sierra Leone.

2. Objectives of assignment:

One of the key components of the project is to organize Training of Trainers workshop for consortium staff on the use of social media platforms, message dissemination, verifying and identifying fake or inciting messages and the ethics of sharing/forwarding messages on social media platforms. Consultants will support consortium partners staff with a training on the use of social media platforms and the dissemination of truthful, verifiable social media content. Consortium partners will then cascade this training to key stakeholders, such as commercial bike riders Rider’s Unions, Youth Groups, Media Houses and local journalists and members of political parties and aspiring political candidates and elected   ones.  

Related component is the training and accompaniment of Media Outlets and or local journalists on inclusive and gender and conflict-sensitive reporting, and social accountability in peacebuilding processes. Training will be provided on inclusive and gender-sensitive reporting, notably on key gender and disability issues, the use of appropriate wording/language, inclusive and adapted interviews of persons with disabilities.

There will be a strong emphasis on the promotion of peaceful elections and democracy. During the subsequent government cycle, journalists will be orientated on the social accountability mechanisms.

Trocaire Sierra Leone is therefore seeking the services of individual consultant or firm organize these two sets of trainings  for target groups, first TOT training to partners staff on the use of social media platforms, message dissemination, verifying and identifying fake or inciting messages and the ethics of sharing/forwarding messages on social media platforms and  secondly,  provide training and accompaniment to  Media Outlets/ local journalists on inclusive and gender and conflict-sensitive reporting, and social accountability in elections and peacebuilding processes.

3. Methodology  

• Initial meeting with Trocaire team to discuss TOR and Contract before signing.
• The consultant is responsible for the production of simplified pictorial training manuals specific to the two trainings highlighted herein based on the project context and expected deliverables and share with Trocaire Chief of Party and team for review and feedback.
• The consultant will provide a two-day TOT training to selected consortium project staff on the use of social media platforms, message dissemination, verifying and identifying fake or inciting messages and the ethics of sharing/forwarding messages on social media platforms.
• The consultant will further provide another two days training to media Outlets/ local journalists on inclusive and gender and conflict-sensitive reporting, and social accountability in elections and peacebuilding processes.
• Consultants should provide two sets of reports as detailed above.

4. Activities Envisaged  

5. Key Deliverables: 

The consultant will produce the following deliverables: 

• Inception report 
• Production of simplified pictorial training manuals specific to the two trainings highlighted in the TOR based on the project context and expected deliverables.
• Final consultancy report with high quality photos of sessions ad pre and post-test analysis

6. Profile of the Consultant 

The consultant should have the following profile:  

• A strong background in communication studies/Development Communication/Social Sciences or any relevant field of study.
• At least 5 years’ experience working in the media sector, training of local journalists and CSO staff in development and or international organizations and other agencies.
• Extensive experience in producing training manuals on social media platforms, message dissemination, verifying and identifying fake or inciting messages and the ethics of sharing/forwarding messages on social media platforms.
• Proven experience in training to media outlets/ local journalists on inclusive and gender and conflict-sensitive reporting, and social accountability in elections and peacebuilding processes.
• Solid understanding and knowledge of the political and social context and or development work in Sierra Leone    
• Commitment to safeguarding of programme participants, as demonstrated by signing Trócaire’s Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy.  

7. Working Modalities 

The entire consultancy is expected to last for 25 days from the date of signing of the contract to the agreed completion date including design and production training materials, trainings to TOTs and local  media outlets/journalists, production of final copies of validated copies of consultancy reports. The consultant is responsible for her/his own internal travels and medical insurance while performing this function. 

8. Consultancy Management 

The USAID Trocaire Chief of Party (CoP) in collaboration with the Project Officer (PO) will have oversight responsibility for the consultancy management.  They   will be supported by the Peacebuilding Advisor who will ensure quality production and validation of training materials is adhered at all levels.

9. Safeguarding 

All consultants who work for Trócaire will be required to sign and abide by Trócaire’s Safeguarding and Data Protection principles. Any instances of breach of Trócaire’s safeguarding and data protection policy by the consultant and his or her team members will result into the immediate cancellation of the contract between Trócaire and the consultant. In addition, any pictures taken of the participants by the consultant should be only after the consent of the project participant and signing of the Consent Form. 

10. Submission Guidelines 

Requirements:

• Technical Proposal – outlining your understanding of the TOR, the methodology that will be used in undertaking the assignment, work plan, and team composition, including CVs and 3 references for similar assignments. 
• Financial proposal (maximum 1 page) outlining all relevant costs, including consultant fees.
• At least 2-3 samples of previous manuals produced in Sierra Leone.

APPLICATION

For expression of interest to undertake the consultancy should be submitted to:

 tenders@trocaire.org      

Deadline for Submitting the Expressions of Interest is by Wednesday 24th January 2024.  

(Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted for an interview).