Consultant To Conduct Media and Communication Channel Mapping of Media Stations and Media Related Research at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Job Title: Consultant To Conduct Media and Communication Channel Mapping of Media Stations and Media Related Research

Background:

Search relies on comprehensive findings that capture relevant information leading to media engagements, partnerships and retainerships in its media related projects. These findings provide support in mapping out stations within a geographical location that Search can partner with to broadcast her media products and to inform tailored effective media/radio

engagements to provide different perspectives on conflict resolution to help reduce tensions, challenges. These can be as a result of coverage area, location, Language of broadcast, Rate, Equipment, Human Resource, Audience appeal in terms of the time of broadcast, language, program type, presenter, etc.

These scientific findings provide the impetus for Search to engage a media house where media products are placed. In a case where a funder or donor has a special preference for a station or media house, Search engages the station based on a documented formal request.

Context:

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international conflict transformation Non-Governmental Organization 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 over 30 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.

Currently, we have seven projects cutting across the peacebuilding and development nexus and implemented in 15 states in the North-East, North-Central, North-West and South-South geo-political zones of the country: Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Katsina, Zamfara and the Federal Capital

Territory. This does not exclude the possibility of expanding to other states of the federation, as our mandate requires us to work in any part of Nigeria, depending on the availability of funding.

The Project:

The long term goal is to engage a media research company/agency/individual/organization consultant reliable enough on a retainership basis. The successful consultant will be briefed on the needs and will handle all of Search’s projects that require media research in our project locations. They will ensure that all Search’s deliverables in line with donor

requirements are met. The relevant media engagement/research company/agency/organization will be retained for 1

year, with subject to review depending on performance. They will be conducting media research over the time frame and provide a final report. The successful consultant will work closely with the Head of Program Designing, Quality and Reporting, the National Media Specialist and the Project Manager. Any adjustments to this timeframe shall be pre-discussed

and agreed upon, in writing.

Geographic Locations

This retainership for media research will involve the entire country and is dependent on the projects won by Search for Common Ground, Nigeria. Presently, we are in the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-South geo-political zones of Nigeria, implementing various projects on peacebuilding and community development. Most of these projects cover some Local Governments and local communities in line with the scope, goals and objectives of the project and theory of change.

Deliverables

• Terms of Reference: detailed Methodology, data collection tools, audience and indicator mapping, media sampling, Media content analysis, and timeline.
• Training and Setup: Training of data collectors, and setting up data collection systems for quality data collection.
• Data Collection Supervision: Oversight and participation in data collection to ensure quality data collection.
• Data Collection Debrief: Presentation of initial trends and preliminary findings from the collected data.
• Data Cleaning and Analysis: Data cleaning and analysis supervision based on the study’s objectives.
• Data Submission: Submission of raw and cleaned data to Search.
• Media Research Report
• Draft Report: A drafted comprehensive report in English will be expected from the consultant within the stated timeframe for review, adhering to Search’s evaluation standards and templates, unless otherwise agreed.
• Final Report: A final comprehensive report written in English (max 30 pages, excluding appendices) will be expected from the consultant after responding to comments and reviews.
• The consultant will be expected to be consistent with Search branding, connecting conflict/context assessment to results, and explaining study objectives, methods, and limitations.
• Findings should relate to target groups and project objectives, linking to the Theory of Change and strategic contributions. Includes strategic recommendations with clear, actionable guidance.
• Appendices should cover research instruments, interviewee lists, terms of reference, and evaluator biography.
• Executive Summary: 2-page key findings summary.
• Presentation: PowerPoint (12 slides max).
• Categorical and Comparative Analysis: Analysis of coverage based on pre-agreed indicators.

Methodology and Data Collection Tools

Logistical Support

Timeline

• The timeline for any conflict scan is dependent on the scope of the research and the urgency attached to the deliverables. Final deadlines will be agreed upon by Search and the Consultant upon finalization of the contract.

Deliverables

• Terms of Reference: detailed Methodology, data collection tools, audience and indicator mapping, media sampling, Media content analysis, and timeline.
• Training and Setup: Training of data collectors, and setting up data collection systems for quality data collection.
• Data Collection Supervision: Oversight and participation in data collection to ensure quality data collection.
• Data Collection Debrief: Presentation of initial trends and preliminary findings from the collected data.
• Data Cleaning and Analysis: Data cleaning and analysis supervision based on the study’s objectives.
• Data Submission: Submission of raw and cleaned data to Search.
• Media Mapping Report:
• Draft Report: A drafted comprehensive media mapping report in English will be expected from the consultant within the stated timeframe for review, adhering to Search’s evaluation standards and templates, unless otherwise agreed.
• Final Report: A final comprehensive media mapping report written in English (max 30 pages, excluding appendices) will be expected from the consultant after responding to comments and reviews. The consultant will be expected to be consistent with Search branding, connecting conflict/context assessment to results, and explaining study objectives, methods, and limitations. Findings should relate to target groups and project objectives, linking to the Theory of Change and strategic contributions. Includes strategic recommendations with clear, actionable guidance. Appendices should cover research instruments, interviewee lists, terms of reference, and evaluator biography.
• Executive Summary: 2-page key findings summary.
• Presentation: PowerPoint (12 slides max).
• Categorical and Comparative Analysis: Analysis of coverage based on pre-agreed indicators.
• Media Database:
• Media Listing: Comprehensive database of media houses and contacts, within the defined geographical region, categorized by type (e.g., radio stations, development bloggers, newspapers).
• Media Positioning: Categorization based on interests and influence levels.
• Rating/Ranking: A detailed ranking/Scorecard evaluating entities’ impact and alignment with the program’s media strategy, including stakeholder support levels.
• Action Plan Recommendations: Suggested media houses/contacts for Search to work with, with justifications for their inclusion.

Budget

• For every engagement, a scope of work will be shared with the consultant and the budget will be agreed upon and signed with the successful candidate.

Requirements of consultant

All the legally registered media engagement/research company/agency/organization with proven track record on organizing media monitoring and research projects are highly encouraged to apply.

Below are the specific competencies that need to be highlighted in the proposal:

● A technical proposal proposing a methodology for the evaluation together with a financial proposal for the completion of the aforementioned deliverables and a short cover letter.

● Relevance of proposed methodology to the goal, objectives, and research questions for the project as well as conflict sensitivity approaches, and quality control measures.

● Curriculum vitae, examples of prior conducted media monitoring/content analysis/media research experience (weblink, attachment, etc.) —along with the sample of the full final report of the prior assignments.

● Qualifications of the candidate(s).

● Proposed budget in relation to proposed methodology, deliverables and team.

● Timeline for proposed activities.

● At least two references of prior partners/clients in the similar projects.

Apart from the above, submission of the following is a MUST:

a. A brief technical and financial proposal along with budget breakdown (along with timeline and CV of team leader/member/s);

b. A copy of Company Registration certificate;

c. A copy of VAT certificate and

d. A copy of tax clearance certificate for last fiscal year from Inland Revenue Office:

The following skills and experience are expected by Search for the selected media engagement/research company/agency/organization for this project:

● Proficiency in English (written and spoken);

● More than seven years of experience in conducting media mapping, and media evaluation, including collecting data using interviews, surveys, and focus group discussion methods;

● Experience in previous work of this nature in vast geographical locations of the country;

● Experience working with international organizations/Non-governmental Organizations;

● Experience conducting quantitative surveys and analysis;

● Strong analytical and report-writing skills

● Familiarity and experience with contextual challenges in the geographic location(s) where the study will take place.

In addition, the consultant is required to respect the following Ethical Principles

● 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. In addition, the consultant will respect Search’s evaluations standards, to be found in

Search’s evaluation guidelines: http:/ www.sfcg.org/programmes/ilt/dme_guidelines.html

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 02/10/2024. Therefore qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:

Official Job Website: https://www.careers.sfcg.org/