SUPPORTING MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN SOMALIA
Request for Proposals: Midterm Evaluation of the SMCSS Program Date: August 7, 2009
In accordance with the requirements of the DRL-funded Supporting Media and Civil Society in Somalia (SMCSS) program, IREX announces a request for proposals from qualified individuals or organizations to conduct a midterm evaluation of SMCSS. Bidders must be able to travel to Somaliland as part of the evaluation process (although the program is being carried out in Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central, on-site evaluation will be restricted for security reasons to Somaliland, with evaluation of Puntland and South-Central related programming being conducted remotely via telephone, Skype and email.) Proposals submitted should include strategies and costs associated with this assessment. IREX anticipates that assessment work will be evenly divided between meetings and assessment activities in Somaliland and in Washington, DC. The assessment will include: analysis of IREX’s grant with DRL, program workplans, IREX quarterly reports, and key correspondence, as necessary; interviews with DRL, IREX and key stakeholders; assessment of governing assumptions of project and any changes since project award. It will also examine: staffing; relationships among key players (IREX-DRL; IREX-local media; IREX-local CSOs; IREX-local governments); program implementation approach; and results achieved. The final report will include specific recommendations and will be provided to IREX. No procurement of equipment will be authorized under this award. The available funding for this award (including personnel time, travel costs, materials, etc.) is up to $15,000.
Applications should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on August 25, 2009 to be considered for a contract award. Questions regarding this application should be submitted to Eva Constantaras no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on August 21, 2009. See additional contact information below.
Background
Six Somali media professionals, including leading figures from the most independent and professional outlets, have been murdered so far in 2009. More have been attacked or seen their outlets shuttered. These attacks further undermine a struggling sector beset by low skill levels, show-string finances and heavy-handed influence from political, religious and business leaders.
Since 2000, there has been a proliferation of media outlets. Although the reach of broadcasters and the circulation of the newspapers are both limited and largely urban, and despite the lack of independence and credibility of much of the content, this pluralism does present a foundation for a democratic media sector. The legal underpinnings of free expression are weak, however, and the current period is a crucial opportunity to support Somalia’s media managers, journalists and advocates for media independence and professionalism.
IREX’s annual Media Sustainability Index report on Somalia describes the formidable challenges. Many journalists have come to the profession with little or no training, and there are few opportunities for credible professional development. Their salaries are low, bribery is a tradition, and media owners either have no resources or inclination to provide the resources to improve working conditions. There is self-censorship and outright fear. Policies guaranteeing editorial freedom are not in place, reporters do not apply fact-checking and balance standards, and media “are not fully aware of their own responsibilities even as they seek protection of freedom of the press,” according to the MSI.
Media owners and managers also have little business experience, and face huge competition in a staggering economy where the advertising revenue from remittance and telecommunications companies is not enough to go around. Media Sustainability Index panelists gave their lowest score to the media management objective, saying, “Media managers have few of the leadership skills necessary to run their outlets efficiently, such as developing clear missions, policies and procedures; and they have difficulty establishing strong ties with advertising clients. Neither do they have business skills such as knowledge of accounting methods or use of business plans and annual budgets. Most media managers do not have the ability to work cooperatively with other media outlets in order to share best practices.”
With the proliferation of private media, some editorial independence and professionalism is emerging, although leading outlets have paid a heavy price in the deaths of journalists. Radio has perhaps the highest potential for reach in Somalia’s oral culture and to gain advertising revenues, but lacks the infrastructure and investment to expand. Private stations are barred in Somaliland.
Launched in February 2008, IREX’s three-year program works within the Somali media and civil society sectors to focus on two areas of need in Somalia if it is to build a functioning and legitimate state and allow citizen engagement in this process – media and civil society. In the media component of the project, IREX activities build the capacity of media owners and promote independent media. The program presents a realistic contribution to ensuring a free and professional media is part of Somalia’s future. In the civil society component of the project, IREX brings together government and civil society actors to discuss how they can collaborate effectively.
Significant potential also rests with the Somali media support organizations. Several are providing effective monitoring and advocacy on press freedom issues, as well as training and awareness-raising within the country. The media support community is rife with its own clan divisions, sharpened by competition for donor resources, but the foundation for locally valid and sustainable media sector support exists.
To further these program goals, the grant lists six Short-term Objectives (STOs):
• Raise business development capacity of independent media outlet owners and managers. • Enhance media managers’ ability to increase the professionalism of their editorial staffs. • Support the National Media Council initiative as a cornerstone for media law reform. • Engage stakeholders in informed advocacy for independent and professional media and support Somali partners in designing responses promoting media independence. • Improve government and civil society communication skills. • Build a common platform for improving communication channels between government and civil society.
Scope of Work
The purpose of this midterm evaluation is to gain an independent assessment of the progress of the SMCSS program in meeting programmatic goals, stated in the grant as follows:
• STO1: Raise business development capacity of independent media outlet owners and managers. o IREX will open a competition for media owners and managers from radio, television, print and online outlets to apply for technical assistance (9-12 projects) to develop their media businesses. Possible projects include advertising systems and strategies, marketing and promotion, managing in-house training, or developing content. o 1-2 editors / managers from each outlet will receive one-on-one consulting. Knowledge gained from this consulting will be shared with 2-4 other editors / managers at their outlets. • STO2: Enhance media managers’ ability to increase the professionalism of their editorial staffs: o IREX will train approximately 20 in-house trainers at broadcast, print and online media outlets on the principles of the media in democratic development; core journalistic capacity and technology skills; and skills necessary to train and mentor others. o Participants will then be supported in delivering in-house trainings for colleagues at their own media outlets. • STO3: Support the National Media Council initiative as a cornerstone for media law reform. o Conduct a facilitated “best practices” workshop for at least four representatives of the Somali initiative and counterpart media councils. o The NMC subgrant will build the capacity for the remaining seven members and two NMC staff. o Additional support to the NMC will be framed by the status of the NMC and the media law but may include institutional support, capacity building on the technical regulatory issues facing a council (licensing procedures and frequency regulation, as examples), conferences to raise awareness of the role of a media council, or advocacy on media law reform. At least three NMC awareness-raising and stakeholder events will be held involving a minimum of 60 participants. • STO4: Engage stakeholders in informed advocacy for independent and professional media and support Somali partners in designing responses promoting media independence. o IREX will support 10-15 grants (involving a minimum of 450 participants total) to support projects in areas such as mounting an advocacy campaign to open Somaliland to independent broadcast media; providing workshops on freedom of expression and the upcoming constitutional process, raising awareness of free expression as a human rights and the role of independent media in a democracy, transparency and accountability; joint projects with media owners to produce content that both meets standards of objectivity and is of value to them in their development of their outlets. • STO5: Improve government and civil society communication skills. o IREX will conduct two-day workshops to discuss the role of civil society and the state in nation building and social service delivery. o Communication skills training for civil society representatives and government officials. Workshops to cover consensus-facilitation training (strategies on how to convene a group, select and help focus the stakeholders on specific issues to reach agreements, move stakeholders to implement strategies and then monitor plans which stem from the negotiated agreement); cooperative advocacy (a collaboration methodology that frames stakeholders as potential partners looking towards aligning their interests and encouraging cooperation to advocate for cross-sector issues of common concern). • STO6: Build a common platform for improving communication channels between civil society and government. o Workshops to bring together civil society and government actors to explore opportunities to implement sustainable, systemic ways to communicate effectively, and collect and share information on governance and nation-building issues and on specific non-conflictual public service delivery issues (such as health, education, local services, water and sanitation). IREX will assist in the development of plans and will monitor, to the best extent possible in the Somali environment, implementation of these plans.
IREX will provide the selected evaluation team with program materials key to the project’s goals and implementation structure, including but not limited to: IREX’s grant with DRL, program workplans, IREX quarterly reports, and key correspondence, as necessary.
IREX also expects that the evaluation team will conduct interviews with DRL, IREX and key stakeholders and assess the governing assumptions of the project and any changes since project award. The assessment team will also examine staffing, relationships among key players (IREX-DRL, IREX-local media, IREX-local CSOs, IREX-local governments), program implementation approach, and results achieved. The final report will include specific recommendations and will be provided to IREX.
IREX expects that this work will require 5-10 business days on-site in Somaliland with preliminary and post-trip interviews with IREX/DC. The entire level of effort for this work is not expected to exceed 20 work days (5 days of preparation, 5-10 days in Somaliland, 5 days of report writing).
Travel in the field will be limited to Hargeisa, Somaliland for security reasons. The evaluation team will be expected to follow up with contacts in Puntland and South-Central via email, Skype and telephone, as necessary.
IREX also expects the cost of this effort (including personnel time, travel costs, etc.) not to exceed $15,000.
Evaluation Criteria for Applications
These criteria are intended to serve as the standard against which all applications will be evaluated. The following criteria are of equal importance.
Evaluation Criteria:
• Capacity in personnel necessary to carry out proposed project • Proven experience in program assessment • Experience in conducting formal assessments of USG-funded media/civil society development programs • Cost, to include overall costs and efficient use of resources on the project
This request for proposals does not commit IREX to pay any costs incurred in preparation of a contract application or contract for the services or supplies described herein. IREX reserves the right to reject any application received. In issuing this RFP document, IREX is not acting as an agent or on behalf of the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and DOS will not be a party of any resulting subcontract from this RFP.
Please return grant application and address all inquiries to: IREX Eva Constantaras Program Associate, Media Development Division 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (202) 628-8188 Fax: (202) 628-8189 E-mail:
Proposals accepted in English only. E-mailed or original proposals will be accepted.
Late or incomplete applications will be included for review at the discretion of IREX.
ABOUT IREX IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $60 million and a staff of 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.
ABOUT IREX MEDIA DEVELOPMENT By providing balanced and unbiased information—and by serving as a forum for political expression—independent media nurture an active and informed civil society capable of making meaningful contributions to democratic and economic processes.
IREX focuses on developing local capacity, offering the technical and legal support necessary for building successful independent media systems. IREX helps independent print and broadcast media improve professional standards, adopt competitive business practices, develop supporting organizations and associations, and create a legal environment conducive to free media. In cooperation with other donors and implementers, IREX provides small grants, training, and consulting to improve media’s capacity to strengthen civil society by informing the public of important social, political, and economic issues. This promotes government accountability, encourages citizen participation, fights corruption, contributes to economic development, and prevents and mitigates conflict.
IREX has designed and implemented independent media projects in more than 20 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia. IREX also publishes the annual Media Sustainability Index (MSI), a valuable tool that analyzes the status and progress of independent media.
Proposal Application
The IREX Application consists of two parts:
1. Narrative Proposal 2. Budget and Budget Narrative
Applicants must submit all parts for the application to be considered complete Additional information may be required from successful applicant
Part 1 – Narrative Proposal: Applicants must turn in a proposal following this basic format:
Cover Page (including the following information): • Name of the organization or individual applying • Title of proposal • Name of responsible official from applicant’s organization, if applicable • Address, phone, fax, email • Date submitted to IREX
Executive Summary (not to exceed one page): This should summarize application, including brief history of applicant, purpose of application, elements of project to be funded, amount requested, and expected results.
Organizational Description (not to exceed one page): Provide a brief history of organization, current status of ownership (privately held, publicly held, etc.), legal registration information, staffing structure, decision-making process, editorial policy, description of organization’s goals for the immediate future.
Program Description: (not to exceed three pages). Describe the purpose of the grant, how applicant will contribute to the goals of the IREX project, and all staff who will participate in grant implementation. Provide a detailed timeline for implementation of the grant activities.
Part 2: Budget and Budget Narrative
Budget: Include a detailed budget and budget narrative in US dollars.
Budget Narrative: A budget narrative serves to explain how the applicant arrived at budget calculations if not apparent in the budget itself. The narrative serves as justification for each cost included in a budget and should provide sufficient information for IREX to determine whether the costs are reasonable. Please note there is no need to repeat the information that is shown in the budget – the applicant should elaborate and provide background rationale for the budget costs if it is not apparent in the actual budget.
Personnel: Applicant must provide the following information: 1) whether employees listed are full- or part-time and percentage of time employees will spend on project; 2) position description if not apparent; and 3) the basis of compensation upon which monthly rates are based. If any of the information is self-evident on the budget then there is no need to include it here.
Examples: A. Editor $26,000/year 75% on the 5 month project $26,000/12 = $2,166/mo * .75 % time = $1,624 *5 months = $8,123 total
Ms. Jones, a full-time employee of KPG, will provide editing services at 75% time. Ms. Jones’ salary is based on the actual current rate for Editor’s at KPG and competitive with market rates.
Taxes Paid On Employees: Description of taxes required by applicable local laws and basis for application.
Travel and Per Diem: This budget category provides for inclusion of travel to local, regional, and international sites, as necessary in the project. The budget narrative (if not already shown in the detailed budget) should indicate the origin and destination of the traveler(s), purpose of the trip as it relates to the statement of work, and the source of the costs included in the budget. Example: airfare from Geneva, Switzerland to Kosovo represents estimated cost of one round trip economy ticket. The purpose of this trip is to provide a trainer for course on editing.
Per Diem included in the budget represents funding for staff or participant lodging and meals. Per Diem can be less, but cannot exceed IREX’s rates for a region without prior IREX approval. Lodging will be reimbursed based on the actual cost incurred not to exceed IREX’s local rate for the region. Meals are a fixed cost to be paid minus any meals provided by other sources. Meal allowance must be reduced for partial travel days. Example: “All Lodging and Meals costs are calculated at $45/day for lodging and $15/day for meals which is in accordance with local hotel rates and meal costs.”
Equipment: No equipment procurement is authorized under this RFP.
Supplies: Supplies refer to general office items such as general project supplies, communications, postage, bank fees, and reproduction costs. Indicate that estimates are based on past experience or justify quantities in terms of work to be performed. Example: Based on past experience, we estimate that supplies for the one week of training (paper, pens, videocassettes) will be $25/person.
Contractual: This line item includes consultants, honoraria, all non-employee labor, and subcontractors. If the applicant intends to utilize a third party or organization to implement a portion of the program, the budget narrative should indicate the following:
• the method for identifying the party, • the extent to which their competitiveness will be assessed (if no competition will be sought an explanation must be provided), • a cost breakdown of their services (for example, hourly, daily or other rate), and • indication of whether or not there are existing relationships with the party and justification for including the specialist or organization in the project.
The estimates provided should be based on quotations, recent historical costs for similar services or estimates received from vendors who will provide services under an awarded grant. Example: “KPG will subcontract with ABC Training to provide specialized marketing training. KPG is the leading trainer in this field and has worked with other media outlets such as the NY Times, Moscow Times, and others. They will provide two trainers at the rate of $200/day for the training.”
Construction: No construction costs are authorized under this RFP.
Other Direct Costs: Applicant should include information on expenses related to the implementation of project activities such as: seminars, conferences, roundtables, trainings, receptions (no alcohol will be reimbursed from funds provided through a grant), prizes, training costs, and so on. The budget narrative should clearly explain these costs in terms of project activities, estimated number of participants, include relevant calculations, and basis of costs. Additionally, rental costs for office facilities, training space and utilities should be included in this section.
For office rent, and other general operating costs, included in the budget the applicant should explain the percentage of the total cost to be covered through the grant and provide justification for that portion of rent included as it relates to the goals of the application that will be supported through this grant. Example: Rental of room for training is $50/day, the standard rate charged by the training center.
