African Journalist Study Programme: Workshop in Nairobi 2015
Africa’s relationship with emerging powers from the Global South has become a predominant feature of international media focus. Even where Africa media has sought to develop a continental perspective, the narrative of western views and opinions has largely influenced this outlook. As such there is a growing need for independent inquiry and investigation into the engagement of the Emerging Actors in Africa from African media sources. Of key interest is the necessity to examine how these emerging powers define their role and stake in aid, bilateral trade, investment and diplomatic ties with Africa. More importantly, there is also overwhelming need for African media to be able to hold these emerging actors as well as African governments accountable to the obligations and action plans in bilateral and multilateral agreements.
In view of the above, Fahamu’s Emerging Powers in Africa project is pleased to announce a call for applications for a journalist capacity building workshop to be hosted in Nairobi towards the middle to the end of March 2015. The workshop will seek to assist media practitioners with important insights and reporting techniques regarding the general coverage of the emerging powers’ footprint in Africa and more specifically meetings like the India-Africa Forum Summit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, which are scheduled to be hosted in 2015.
These events will provide important outcomes related to how African media understand and measure Africa’s relations with these actors’ vis-à-vis perceptions from international media. Furthermore it will also enable for the development of more nuanced insights into how ordinary African citizens inform their views about these emerging powers. Within this context the need for greater collaboration and interaction amongst African journalists for analysis, interrogation and investigation will become ever more pertinent.
Five successful applicants will be chosen to participate in the programme that aims to:
– Strengthen the capacity of African media commentators;
– Facilitate greater understanding of perceptions of the emerging powers in Africa, and vice versa;
– Expand on knowledge amongst African media of the emerging powers’ political, economic, societal and media footprint across the continent;
– Create an opportunity for African media organisations and journalism schools to develop long-term relationships, collaborations and exchanges between themselves
– Provide a platform to facilitate the implementation of capacity building projects and greater media coverage amongst African media on the activities of the emerging powers in Africa; and
– Include greater media participation in discussions and advocacy in Africa about the role of the emerging powers in Africa
2. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Media professionals in print, broadcast, radio and online fora based in Africa are encouraged to apply for the workshop. Lecturers from journalism schools and media programmes in Africa may also apply. Applicants must:
– Provide frequent reports to their national, regional, or local print media, radio, television channels or online fora on topics related to the engagement between African countries and the emerging powers. In the case of individuals from journalism schools or training programmes at a higher education institution issues related to the emerging powers in Africa must demonstrate how this will improve their curriculum development;
– Have at least 8- 10 years experience as a journalist or teaching in the profession;
– Be fluent in English;
– Have a valid passport and comply with their country’s visa criteria for travel to Kenya;
The following costs will be reimbursed:
– Return ticket, economy class to Nairobi
– Accommodation in Nairobi for the duration of study tour,
– Visa costs,
– Meals and transport for duration of study tour.
Applications close on 20 February 2015 and successful applicants will be notified in the first week of March 2015. Late submissions and incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
3. REQUIREMENTS
All applications are to be submitted electronically and must include:
– A current resume including professional work history;
– A brief proposal in English outlining a story you wish to cover in Africa related to specifically the India-Africa Forum Summit and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will be of interest to your target audience;
– A letter of recommendation from your organisation head/faculty head. If journalist applicants are not employed directly through a media organisation, please provide a letter of support from the organisation to which you are affiliated, including your relationship to the organisation;
– A letter, signed by your (affiliate) organisation or faculty head, motivating how participation in the training workshop will benefit your professional work and the work of your organisation. This should include an action plan detailing how your experience in the workshop will be incorporated into further capacity building and knowledge development within your organisation/journalism school in the three months following completion of the training workshop;
– Provide samples of three professional pieces of written work/manuscripts that have been printed or broadcast in the last 12 months; or an outline of courses taught;
Please ensure that all documents are compressed and/or zipped in compressed files to ensure all applications can be uploaded.
Applications must be submitted in English
4. CONCLUDING REMARKS
A contract will be signed between Fahamu and participants in order to fulfil the following obligations:
– Produce at least 2 commentary pieces for the Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa Newsletter on India/China-Africa relations in the run to and following the two Summits;
– Make at least 3 regular contributions on civil society perspectives for publication in the Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa Newsletter on topics agreed with Fahamu.
Applications should be sent to emerging-powers@fahamu.org
For further information please contact
Sanusha Naidu: Sanusha@fahamu.org
Or
Edwin Rwigi: Edwin@fahamu.org
* Fahamu (www.fahamu.org) is committed to serving the needs of organisations and social movements that aspire to progressive social change and that promote and protect human rights. Fahamu has extensive experience in distance learning for human rights organisations.
DEADLINE: February 20, 2015
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Call for application as researcher/research team
I. INTRODUCTION
The State of the Union (SOTU) is a coalition of civil society organisations working in ten African countries to advocate for the ratification, domestication and implementation of key African Union (AU) policy standards and legal instruments. These instruments cover issues ranging from governance, political, social and economic rights, to peace, security and development. Fourteen of them – ten legal instruments and four policy standards – if implemented, have tremendous promise for the lives of millions of Africans.
As part of its commitment, SOTU conducts bi-annual research to review country compliance and status of implementation of selected AU legal instruments and policy standards. The first State of the Union compliance reports were published in July 2010 and were well appreciated by the African Union Commission, AU member states and other interested stakeholders. The second reports, which were meant to review progress in terms of ratification and implementation at country level after the 2010 reports, were published in 2013 and were also very much appreciated by all the relevant stakeholders. After every publication, Fahamu undertook a series of activities in which the Kenya State of the Union compliance reports were disseminated to various universities, government and relevant civil society organisations.
The impact of the State of the Union compliance reports is starting to be felt in government policies as there is for instance a planned move by the Kenyan government to assess the level of compliance with the NEPAD[1] Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Plan (2003) following the devolvement of Agriculture to county governments. SOTU members are currently planning to launch a second round of reviews and publish national compliance reports by 30 April 2015.
II. CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVE
Fahamu, on behalf of the SOTU coalition, is seeking to engage a consultant researcher or team of researchers to conduct an assessment in Kenya to determine the level of compliance with and implementation of key AU legal instruments and policy standards and the impact of their implementation on citizens’ quality of life[2] .
The study seeks to establish the status of ratification, domestication and implementation of AU instruments, policy standards and decisions at country level—best practices and challenges—and strategies to enhance implementation and monitoring. The overall goal of the study is to review the progress of ratification, domestication and implementation made since the previous SOTU compliance report was published in May 2013. The findings and recommendations of the study will be used to engage with the Government of Kenya and other relevant policy makers.
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The researcher or team of researchers will design the methodology in collaboration with Fahamu. A combination of approaches is suggested: employing both quantitative and qualitative studies using secondary research findings, case studies and interviews with key stakeholders
IV. CONSULTANT’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ORIENTATION
• Reading the 2010 and 2013 national and continental reports, AU legal instruments, policy standards and plans of action selected for the study;
• Reading and familiarisation with the research templates developed for the study (standards, indicators and research questions and guidelines for country level research);
MANAGEMENT
• Working closely with Fahamu and obtaining in-country support and guidance as needed;
• Work under the supervision of and guidance of the Lead Researcher through the SOTU Secretariat and reporting to Fahamu. Working closely and reporting on progress to the Lead Consultant Researcher and Fahamu.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
• Carrying out secondary and primary research and analysis on the implementation of identified policy standards and selected AU legal instruments and plans of action drawing on credible research by the Government of Kenya as well as other organisations both international and local;
• Hold face to face meetings and group discussions with key stakeholders to validate the draft findings and get in depth analysis;
• Incorporating feedback from the validation meetings at national level, selected peer reviewers and Fahamu in the draft report.
• Making recommendations for immediate implementation, a longer-term strategy, or further studies;
• Developing a final piece of research for Kenya in English and in a form fit to be published;
POST RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
• Present findings of the research at the validation and dissemination/launch meetings to provide an opportunity for the report to gain support from a wide section of interested parties;
• Commenting on the edited versions of the continental report compiled by the Lead Consultant Researcher to ensure that meanings have not been altered or information lost in the editing process.
V. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
• Draft and final Kenya country reports detailing the status of implementation of AU commitments, successes/challenges and suggestions on strategies to fast-track implementation and monitoring. The report will be structured as per the guidelines and table of contents template prepared by the Lead Consultant Researcher. The report is to be written in English—40 pages maximum excluding annexes;
• A Power point presentation of the report and presentation of the PowerPoint at two national level meetings: validation and dissemination/launch.
VI. TIMING
The assignment should be completed by 20 April 2015. The total number of working days under the contract should not exceed 25.
The consultant researcher will be managed by and will regularly report on progress of work on a weekly basis to the Lead Consultant Researcher for the Project and Fahamu on behalf of the SOTU coalition.
VII. REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
ESSENTIAL
• At least a Masters’ Degree in Social Sciences;
• At least eight years relevant working experience in research, data collection and analysis, and monitoring and evaluation involving projects of a multi-sectoral and multi-country nature;
• Experience in working with civil society and/ or with state representatives or African intergovernmental organisations; particularly the AU or Regional Economic Communities;
• Demonstrable knowledge of how to devise interview instruments and monitoring and evaluation templates;
• Experience in convening and moderating meetings/ focus groups/ interviews with diverse participants, such as senior officials and civil society representatives;
• Excellent report writing and research skills, including a proven track record in writing assessments, guidelines and evaluations. Ability to prepare succinct, analytical publications and reports;
• Strong interpersonal skills including a proven ability to liaise and mediate between a diverse group of stakeholders (civil society and government officials in particular);
• Fluency in spoken and written English (knowledge of Kiswahili is an asset);
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to work with minimal supervision, to set priorities and to deliver tasks on time;
DESIRED
• Local contacts and experience working in Kenya, including in government and in civil society;
• Track record of managing a similar project, with limited budget and time, but with demonstrated results;
• Extensive knowledge of the AU legal instruments and policy standards in the areas of human rights, democracy and socio-economic development.
VIII. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Interested consultants resident in Kenya should email their applications together with the following to: infokenya@fahamu.org
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae with three referees;
• Cover letter indicating interest and a daily professional fees in US$;
• A summary of experience related to the required competencies and skills above;
• A sample of a previous similar assignment you have conducted;
• Submissions should reach Fahamu on or before 16 February 2015.
END NOTES
[1] NEPAD: The New Partnership for Africa’s Development
[2] These include the: African Charter on Human and People’ Rights (1990); AU Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003); African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child(1990), Abuja Call for Accelerated Action Towards Universal Access to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Other Related Infectious Diseases Services (2001), Maputo Plan of Action for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2007-2010 (2006), Africa Health Strategy: 2007–2015, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007) , Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty), African youth Charter, African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and the NEPAD-Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Plan (CAADP)
DEADLINE: February 16, 2015