1. Context

Background

Before December 2018, the media environment in Sudan was authoritarian, administrative and uni-partisan. In addition, there were multiple setbacks in both media freedom and human rights in Sudan over the past years, mainly due to the regime’s tactics and its adoption of a hostile stance towards media freedom.

Therefore, the Sudanese national media witnessed several brief and strictly limited phases of openness.

This changed slightly after the Sudanese revolution that overthrew the past rolling regime. All media sectors have witnessed growth during the period following the revolution.

Search for Common Ground

Search is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups, governments and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with 52 field offices in 29 countries, Search designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviors.

SFCG is relying on the media sector in its all projects, this is for the reason that the Sudanese media sector has great potential to advance peace, security and state building in Sudan. By providing reliable, balanced and timely information to the population, and by informing and educating the Sudanese population about the broader political process occurring in the country.

Therefore, it is important to understand the media landscape in Abyei Administrative Area (AAA) as well as the media consumption patterns. It is worth to note that the current consumption patterns and influence of Sudanese media are still poorly understood, and the landscape mapping is not available.

The Project

In close collaboration with UNISFA, Search is implementing a project to strengthen engagement with, and build the capacity of local media and community radio in the southern and northern side of Abyei, with the aim of building confidence and increasing local communities' awareness on mission mandate and activities UNISFA mandate, peace, and security.

Through a survey of the media landscape and audience consumption habits, Media Training and Capacity building of different personnel from selected media outlets, community outreach through radio programming including mixed formats and the production and broadcast of a radio drama on Beladi/El-Fual FM in Diffra and Abyei FM in Agok, the project seeks to contribute to the following results areas:

R1. Accurately gain insight and understanding of the penetration of traditional and digital media among the local community, to strengthen targeted and focused outreach to target audiences. 

R2.  The local media is ethically and professionally equipped to report on UNISFA activities as partners in the peace building process and not as adversaries.

R3. Consistent outreach messages through local media are designed to build confidence in the mission and raise local communities' awareness on mission mandate and activities.

R4. Increased partnership building between UNISFA, local media and local authorities.

2. Goal and Objectives of Study

The main objective of the study is to clearly understand the media landscape and the media consumption pattern in local communities in the Northern and Southern parts of the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA). This will shape public information communication with a focus on targeting information to segments of the community while including more community voices in dissemination of information.

The study will specifically aim to:

• Map the media landscape in AAA, including recent changes.
• Understand the general media consumption of the populations in Northern and Southern AAA: what do they watch/read/listen to access the information they need.
• Understand what information they need/ are interested in, and which community voices are in the media currently.
• Identify the gaps, needs and opportunities, as well as the main impediments to radio production, distribution, and audience engagement.

3. Geographic Locations

Project will take place in northern and southern Abyei..

4. Methodology and Data Collection Tools

The Consultant(s) bidding for this assignment are expected to present a detailed technical proposal presenting a methodology that responds to the specific objectives above.

This may include: survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

Tools will be developed by the consultant in consultation with SFCG staff. They will consider the following:

-       Media consumption habits.

-       Trust.

-       Flow.

-       Influence.

The Consultant(s) will need to consider sampling strategies and research designs that are feasible given the restrictions within the time duration of the study.

Methodologies should consider:

-       Explanation of the approach to sampling e.g. details of the sampling techniques to be used to identify the respondents and the sample size.

-       A detailed breakdown of the proposed sample (sampling should consider gender, consideration of coverage of different ethnic groups, and different geographical locations, etc.)

Key roles of the consultant

The consultant/s will work in close collaboration with Search’s Program, Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Institutional Learning Teams to design the detailed methodology and tools for the study, conduct data collection and processing, lead the data analysis and write the study report.

Search anticipates following roles of the consultant/s in carrying out the study:

-       Develop the inception report and tools to carry out the study;

-       Conduct data collection and data processing with using decent quality control mechanism; get all the FGDs translated and transcribed and submit to the search team.

-       Data analysis and reporting;

-       Develop the final study report (details are provided under Deliverables section);

-       Develop PowerPoint slide decks and present them to the Search team upon completion of the report.

Answer any follow-up questions around the assessment and the final report. 

Deliverables

Search expects the following deliverables from the external consultant(s) as they correspond to the timeline and budget:

●      An inception report detailing the study methodology and timeline and tools for data collection in English; The tools will need to be translated later.

●      A draft report in English, for review by Search staff;

●      A final report in English (25 pages max in length, excluding appendices).

●      Final presentation of the work to Search staff, PowerPoint in English and Arabic

●      All original data (raw data files and their transcripts) submitted to Search along with detailed information on the demographics of respondents;

Logistical Support

Consultant(s) will be responsible for the logistical arrangements of their enumerators in the fields for data collection processes

5. Ethical Considerations

The consultant should make sure that both conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm approaches are considered during the study implementation, as well as inclusion principles (i.e. gender, age, ethnicity, religion, etc.). In addition, the consultant should make sure that informed consent is collected.

6. Data Quality Assurance and Management

All studies will be reviewed and approved by Search-Sudan country office and global Institutional Learning Team prior to acceptance of the final product.

7. Timeline

The assignment will be carried out during the period from 23^rd of January to 22^nd of February 2022.

• Inception report – 24^th January 2022.
• Draft report -  7^th February 2022.
• Final report -  17^th February 2022.

8. Budget

A detailed budget should be provided following budget information:

• Daily rates for personnel;
• Costs related to tools design, data collection, and the data analysis;
• Report writing and presentation.

9. Requirements of Consultant

The following skills and experience are expected by Search for our researcher for this project:

• At least 3 years ‘experience conducting evaluation in a difficult context, particularly for intentional donors.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Strong context knowledge e.g. through experience of working in Sudan, experience conducting research in Abyei is an added value.
• Fluent in English and Arabic.
• Strong communication, presentation, and writing skills.

• Comprehensive and systematic inquiry: Consultant should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the review. Consultant should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries. He or she should communicate his or her methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique his or her work. He or she should make clear the limitations of the review and its results.
• Competence: Consultant should possess the abilities and skills and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of his or her professional training and competence.
• Honesty and integrity: Consultant should be transparent with the contractor/constituent about: any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the reasons why those changes were made, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading review information.
• Respect for people: Consultant respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants. Consultant has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences amongst participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age and ethnicity.

Selection Criteria

Consultant proposals will be selected for:

1. Relevance of proposed methodology to the goal, objectives, and research questions for the assignment.
2. Quality of proposed methods, conflict and gender sensitivity approaches, and quality control measures.
3. Qualifications of the candidate(s).
4. Proposed budget in relation to proposed methodology, deliverables and team.
5. Timeline for proposed activities.

Applications:

Application deadline is 16th January 2022. Upload your proposals here

To apply, interested candidates (individuals or teams) are requested to submit throught Sudanjob website the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae;
• A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the study with a financial proposal for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables and a short cover letter.