Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project
Scope of Work : Consultancy to Mentor Journalists
Background:
The Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP) is a USAID supported project that
works to foster a legitimate, accountable and resilient Nepali civil society that is capable of
advancing the public interest. The project provides grants, technical assistance and capacity
building support to strengthen the enabling environment for civil society and media; improve
civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and government engagement;
coordinate effective civil society and media oversight of public resource use and public service
delivery; and improve enforcement of constitutionally mandated fundamental human rights.
Equal Access International (EAI) leads the media and communication elements of the project,
that includes the capacity-building of sub-national journalists to carry out effective public
interest reporting through improved ‘investigative journalism’, and ‘advocacy, monitoring and
oversight’ techniques.
The EAI mission is to create positive social change for undeserved
people in the developing world by providing critically needed information and education through
innovative media, appropriate technology and direct community engagement. It supports
customized communications strategies and outreach solutions that address the most critical
challenges affecting women’s and girls’ empowerment, youth life skills and livelihoods,
economic development, public health, and civic participation and governance.
Description/ scope of consultancy:
The consultant is expected to provide hands-on remote mentoring assistance to 20 journalists
selected by EAI, with the aim of improving their public interest reporting capability, and the
quality of articles they produce for publication. EAI will have provided fellowships to the
selected journalists to write investigative articles with quality evidence in the form of data, facts
and information. More specifically, the mentoring assistance will enable the selected journalists
to report on the government’s response to COVID-19, with the aim of advocating for effective
public policies, and carrying out monitoring and oversight of public resource use and public
service delivery.
The consultant is expected to provide essential feedback and mentoring to the
journalists to finalize 20 articles for publication that constructively hold the government to
account in how it responds to COVID-19, or provides health and social services beyond. This
should include:
Constructive review, guidance and feedback via email and telephone, on choice of article
theme related to COVID-19 response, socio-economic impact, public policy reform,
public resource use, and/ or the situation of public service delivery.
Technical guidance on the essentials of investigative reporting in terms of how to conduct
good research, and how to ensure balance, accuracy, information source, and factuality –
including high quality evidence, data, testimonies.
Constructive feedback with reference to contemporary issues, context, developments, and
linkages to relevant public policies and laws.
Guidance on how to collect information, seek data, and contact stakeholders for quotes,
ensuring adherence to journalistic code of ethics.
Ensure the quality of the finished articles such that they are accepted for publication by
mainstream print and online media.
Required competencies:
The consultant is expected to have the following skills, qualifications and experience:
At least 10 years of experience in journalism or media development sector;
Excellent knowledge of writing investigative stories on public interest issues aimed at
public sector reform, especially in public policy and public service delivery;
Strong experience and knowledge of civic engagement in governance; and
Demonstrated experience in training and providing mentoring support to community-
based journalists and reporters on public interest reporting.
Timeframe:
The consultancy duration will be for 20 working days spread over a period of three months.
How to Apply:
Send your updated CV to [email protected]
