REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR GENDER CONSULTANT SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka
Contracted
Mid Level
The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world – where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive.

The Promoting Positive Information (PRO-INFO) activity, funded by USAID/Sri Lanka through the Civil Society and Media Strengthening Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) mechanism, is implemented by IREX to support the transition of information and media environment in Sri Lanka to one that is more democratic and responsive to its citizens.

PRO-INFO is working towards a robust and vibrant media and information ecosystem that contains multiple and diverse voices, rooted in an enabling environment that firmly protects freedom of expression, with independent media and information actors operating as professional and financially sustainable entities that provide relevant, fair, and fact-based content to informed and engaged citizens.

Under PRO-INFO, the Gender Equality in the Media (GEM) activity provides training to media outlets on gender-sensitive reporting, gender-based violence coverage, promoting positive narratives of women in the media, reporting on gender minorities, addressing workplace gender harassment, and safeguarding female journalists from technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). The training is supported by production grants to foster better reporting on issues affecting women and gender minorities.

The consultant will collaborate with IREX/PRO-INFO to establish partnerships with selected media outlets, offering tailored training for managers and journalists and facilitating production grants. The consultant will also assist the IREX team in improving training curriculums, delivering trainings, and mentoring outlets as they begin producing content (interview shows, documentaries, podcasts, etc.).

The anticipated award will be a service contract for one year. IREX reserves the right to withdraw this request for proposal at any time up to the award of the contract.

Duties and Responsibilities
The selected individual will work closely with the IREX team. Specifically, the consultant will be expected to:
Integrate PRO-INFO’s Rapid Analysis of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and assess the overall program’s performance in incorporating gender considerations during implementation.
  • Support media outlets in designing proposals for production grants that highlight gender-related issues such as female entrepreneurship, women's political participation, and menstrual poverty. With ongoing elections, addressing the challenges female candidates face will be a key focus.
  • Conduct institutional-level capacity-building sessions for newsroom management and editors, focusing on promoting gender equity in the workplace, addressing gender-based harassment, and implementing gender-sensitive workplace policies (e.g., prevention of TFGBV, parental leave, transportation, and accommodations for women with disabilities). Activities may include:
    • Sensitization and gender reporting workshops for management and staff
    • Assistance in developing internal policies and procedures for gender equality in the workplace
    • Assistance in developing complaints procedures for sexual or other harassment in the workplace that protects the victims and punish offenders
  • Assist the IREX team in creating content for social media campaigns, identifying trends in gendered disinformation, and countering these through weekly GEM posts. Topics may include the portrayal of women in media, gender stereotypes, handling gender-based harassment, and promoting women experts in media.
Qualifications
Individuals will have experience and a variety of skills to offer support to the IREX team on this activity, including:
  • At least two years of experience working in the intersection of gender and media. Past experience working with development agencies is welcome.
  • Familiarity with IREX’s Behind the Scenes Report for Sri Lanka.
  • A high level of practical experience working with the media in Sri Lanka.
  • Speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in Sinhala or Tamil and English.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet objectives.
  • Strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions.
Previous consultants/service providers will be considered for this post, with past performance used as a major part of the selection process.

Application Submission
If you are interested in applying, please e-mail your latest biodata along with an expression of interest and your proposed daily rate to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. Indian Standard Time on October 19, 2024. Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion. All applications submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

Application Evaluation
The criteria are listed in descending order starting with the most important factors to be evaluated.
  • Educational and professional qualifications (20%)
  • Working experience in the intersection of gender & media (20%)
  • Previous experience in conducting research, report writing, and content production related to gender topics in media ( 20%)
  • Ability to conduct trainings on gender related topics (20%)
  • Ability to provide technical inputs and advise to IREX and its beneficiaries (10%)
  • Interpersonal skills, work ethic, ability to work in a multicultural environment, research and writing skills (10%)
Evaluation and ranking of applications will be done by IREX in Sri Lanka. IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information or perform site visits.

Renewal
IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and vendor performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor for a period of up to three years without issuing a new RFP.




 
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