Switzerland: Review the Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 06 Sep 2013
TERMS OF REFERENCEConsultancy assignment: An individual or an institutional consultantto review the Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice
Summary:The Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) is seeking an individual or an institutional consultant to review the Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice activity which has been supported by UNICEF in 2008-2012.The review is intended to contribute to future public advocacy at UNICEF country, regional and global levels in further capacity building of media training institutions.
Countries covered: 10 countries with a field visit to Turkey
Start Date: End of September
CONTEXT
Rationale of the project Project name: Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice - A Rights-Based PerspectiveA project to roll out the Child Rights Syllabus in journalism education at tertiary-level in CEE/CIS (2008 – 2012) Project objectives: The Child Rights Syllabus is rolled out and adapted so that a sustainable and context-appropriate journalism education is established and functioning. This is done with a view to enhancing journalism standards overall and to raise the visibility of child rights in the public agenda through the media.
BACKGROUND The Regional Office has analyzed that the media in CEE/CIS is lacking a rights-based approach to representation of children or reporting on children’s issues in the media. This region is not homogenous: some have a relatively free press, others have elements of a developing press while others have a more closed political and media system.
Current journalism standards and practice have meant that visibility of children’s issues on the public agenda is low. Ethical and critical reporting of child related issues are lacking while sensationalist portrayal is present in some countries. Barriers to the participation of children in the public debate on matters that affect their lives are also of particular concern.
The media can help UNICEF country offices in accessing policy makers, opinion makers and sustain effective alliances for children as well as amplifying the voice of children. By initiating this project, the UNICEF Regional Office can help the country offices in the region to strategize effectively by supporting cost-effective capacity building of national media.
Previous journalism trainings done by UNICEF and others had good results but had not been cost-effective or had a limited impact. This proposed approach assumes that targeting tertiary level journalism education to train pre-service journalists on the concept of children`s rights will be a better way to improve the performance of journalistic training institutions as well as the professional competence of journalists and ultimately journalism standards and child rights visibility through media.
A syllabus designed for a stand-alone course was produced in 2007. It is primarily a 11-15 week, elective, modular course for 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate students. The course will have a contributing value of 10 points within the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) towards a degree. However, it is fully expected that this syllabus could be adapted for different uses. A roll out comprising introductory seminars and ongoing support by the regional office and international partner institution was envisioned to help country offices and local tertiary institutions. This phase was designed for the countries in the region starting in 2008.
The syllabus bolsters fundamental training in basic areas such as news writing, reporting, analytical skills of media analysis, media theory and history but there is equal consideration of a rights-based framework for understanding children and issues that affect them.
Journalism ethics, central to the curriculum of journalism education in modern western societies, are seen not to feature strongly in the curriculum of most journalism schools in CEE/CIS. Journalism education is mostly theory-based. It has very little practical component and generally do not prepare would-be journalists with the tools to navigate the complex ethical issues involved. Practical reporting issues are rarely experienced by students during their studies to deal with accuracy, diversity, offence, fairness, privacy, consent and engaging the audience. As such, journalists who graduate are lacking in the skills needed for independent, balanced, impartial reporting, which take into account the protection needs of children.
Another important dimension is that the voice of the most vulnerable children in the region is rarely heard. Among them are children with disabilities, children in institutions, ethnic minorities including the Roma, poor children, children who work and live in the streets, children in conflict with the law and children affected by HIV, children affected by violence. If they do appear, media representation of children in the countries represented is rarely positive. Sensationalist media coverage of children in difficult circumstances with little respect for their rights or welfare is commonplace.
The Syllabus is designed to encourage a more practical oriented teaching and learning methods to journalism education. It has been peer reviewed by a panel of international experts. Opportunities for academics and media practitioners to share experiences will also be nurtured in countries. As the roll out developed, it was identified a form of cooperation could also be nurtured among countries in the region and outside the region.
Current project implementation: This project is now in its fifth year. Ten countries with 33 universities are participating with hundreds of students enrolled or graduated. It is also being adapted in Latin American countries, Mozambique and Iran.
Purpose of the consultancy:There is a need for a review of the project`s effectiveness in achieving its objectives and to optimize future regional office involvement.
This review will also contribute to the regional office management project component results or PCR 2: Development Effectiveness - Country Offices have access to high quality technical expertise, programme guidance and regional networks which enable them to apply strategies relevant to their programme development environment and which meets corporate standards, with special focus on reporting on results.This is further elaborated: UNICEF is recognized as a leader on children and partner of choice: a) by working together with partners sustains impetus in identifying better strategies, solutions, and accelerates results for children; and b) through strategic technical support to country offices enhances the effectiveness of evidence-based advocacy, partnerships and alliances, external relations, social and resource mobilization. The review is intended to inform internal knowledge within communication section. It can also contribute to future public advocacy at UNICEF country, regional and global levels to elaborate on meaningful capacity building of media training institutions. No other study of a similar nature has been undertaken.
Differences in the political and media systems as well as differing autonomy of the various tertiary education systems will be noted. In some countries, the issue whether or not tertiary institutions are able to roll out the syllabus depends heavily on the universitys autonomy. Student journalists ability to practice what they learn after they graduate may not depend so much on the quality of the learning but much larger political forces and the country`s context. All this will be taken into account when evaluating the constraints into the roll out of the syllabus.
Expected users of the review: UNICEF programme colleagues at country offices, regional offices and headquarters and also participating universities.
Questions:1. How has the child rights syllabus been adapted and implemented into the tertiary education institution in your country? 2. How has the support from the introductory seminars and follow up opportunities been helpful to the adoption of the syllabus? 3. What is syllabus roll out`s impact to the performance of participating institutions? (How many lecturers are teaching, how many students are/have enrolled, what student articles/radio/television pieces/essays/thesis have been produced; what teaching and learning practices have changed?)
4. What strategies have been put in place to ensure the syllabus takes cognizance of the realities of journalism practices in the region? (Identifying key stakeholders, understanding their role, the reasons why they would or would not adapt and adopt the syllabus, what other partners helped with the roll out (media/law analysts, media organizations, research institutions, press ombudsman, child rights monitoring agencies)
5. What emerging issues in journalism standards and practice globally and in the region need to be considered to ensure the relevancy of the syllabus content in future?
Scope: This review will cover 10 countries with a particular focus on Turkey. The choice is determined as it is the first country to take part and has the most number of universities taking part and a wealth of experience to be evaluated. Batches of students have graduated. The other 8 countries will only be evaluated through literature, phone or email interviews as they have not been in the project long enough. It is also necessary to limit the number of the field visit as to keep costs realistic.
Methodology- A desk study of the data produced by the project or other data sources. - Phone interviews with key stakeholders to gain insights into technical aspects of journalism education, project management, country contexts. - Visits to the field in Turkey consulting a sample of stakeholders including primary beneficiaries (professors, lecturers, students, media organizations, media research institutions, media ombudsman, child rights organizations, vulnerable children, at a number of different sites.
Work plan Phase 1: Preparation (30 September – 4 October)Phase 2: Data gathering and analysis (7-11 October)Phase 3: Report finalisation (14 - 18 October)
Payment Schedule Payment 1: 30% after finalisation of deliverable 1 (Revised proposal which includes interview questionnaire, list of stakeholders, workplan) Payment 2: 50% after finalisation of deliverable 2 (Interim report: Initial findings based on document review, interviews, field visit)
Payment 3: 20% after finalisation of deliverable 3 (Final report and PowerPoint presentation of main findings) All deliverables should be given in word document and submitted electronically.
Duty station: Home-based. The consultant will spend at least one day preparation work with the Regional Office and one day for report presentation either virtually or physically.
TravelTwo full days of field work in Turkey is also planned. UNICEF will pay for the most direct and economical option from the consultant`s home base.
Management The consultant will report to the Regional Communication Chief for overall strategic direction and the Regional Communication Specialist for day to day management. It is expected that the consultant will also liaise closely with the Communication Chief in Turkey. The consultant shall have independent engagement with the stakeholders but will need to inform UNICEF Regional Office and country offices the reasons for engaging with which stakeholder and justify the timing.
Qualifications: 1. Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relation or a related field, or an undergraduate degree plus at least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in the fields of journalism, communications, external relations, or public affairs or a related field. 2. An independent individual or institutional consultant with at least 3 year`s media capacity building experience in CEE/CIS. 3. Experience with a tertiary-education level work is an added advantage.
4. Availability for preparatory (virtual or physical) meetings and field visit in September. 5. Excellent English speaking and writing skills. Russian language skill is an added advantage.
How to apply:
Deadline for application: By Friday, 6 September 2013. Please send to UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS Communication Specialist Lely Djuhari ldjuhari@unicef.org and Communication Assistant Ekaterina Zimianina ezimianina@unicef.org with subject line: Consultancy assignment: An individual or an institutional consultant to review of the Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice.
Interested candidates are requested to submit: 1. A short proposal should be submitted detailing why the individual or institutional consultant has the competencies (education and experience) to take on this review. It should also include links or samples of relevant work, statement of availability during preferred month of work in September. The budget should state the number of days expected for phase 1, 2, 3 and daily rate or a lump sum for all phases. It should exclude travel expenses and per diem.Individual consultant: P11 and CV. Other documents such as references, Health Certificates, Insurance and other relevant documents will be required after selection as stipulated by UNICEF. Institutional consultant: Company profile, notary documents and other relevant documents. 2. Contact details including mobile phone, email and address of consultant or company.
Annex 1: The proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:
REF TP1 Description of the consultant`s understanding of the review objectives. Completeness of the proposal including elaboration of the proposed approach/methodology, CVs, timeline or days proposed and budget. 40 pointsTP2 Method for reviewDescription of methodology proposed including tools 30 pointsTP3 Appropriateness of expertise in journalism capacity building and tertiary education. Knowledge of oral and written English required. Knowledge of the region and Russian an asset. 30 points
How to apply:
Deadline for application: By Friday, 6 September 2013. Please send to UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS Communication Specialist Lely Djuhari ldjuhari@unicef.org and Communication Assistant Ekaterina Zimianina ezimianina@unicef.org with subject line: Consultancy assignment: An individual or an institutional consultant to review of the Child Rights Syllabus and Journalism Practice.
