TERMS OF REFERENCE TO SUPPORT SELECTED MEDIA HOUSES TO IMPLEMENT STANDARDS ON GENDER, DIVERSITY, DISABILITY AND INCLUSION OF OTHER MINORITIES

Introduction and Background

Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) is a National level non-governmental woman focused and advocacy organization that was established in 1983 by a group of 48 female journalists as a membership association. UMWA envisions an engendered media where gender equality and women’s empowerment are upheld for holistic sustainable development”. UMWA’s mission is to enhance the visibility and status of women and other marginalized groups through awareness creation, capacity strengthening, advocacy and networking to realize gender equality. The organization’s strategic Goal is to have a media strengthened in its responsiveness towards Gender Equality, women’s empowerment and social inclusion.

UMWA, in collaboration with African Center for Media Excellency (ACME); Uganda Radio Network (URN) and Editors Guild with support from the Royale Danish Embassy, is implementing a Project code named ‘Media Support for Public Accountability and Civic Engagement. The Project is aimed at having a more resilient, accountable and inclusive media that expands civic participation in governance processes. Specifically, the project will Enhance professionalism of media practitioners and institutions; Enhance accountability and operating environment for the media; and Increase gender responsiveness and sensitivity among media practitioners among others.

The four (4) year project is being implemented in the three (3) regions of Uganda: Northern, Karamoja, and West Nile regions.  The project targets media personnel, women leaders and selected government and non-government actors.

Based on the above background, UMWA would like to work with a team of three (3) individuals to support selected media houses to implement standards on gender, disability and inclusion of other minority groups.  

The specific objectives of the assignment are

• To support selected media houses to implement standards on Gender, Disability and Inclusion in their programs. 

The Assignment will include but not limited to;

1. Developing simple guidelines on Gender, Diversity, Disability and inclusion.
2. Review the existing efforts (6 media houses) to include gender and diversity in their programming.
3. Work with the media teams to improve on their programing (gender and inclusion).
4. Share and orient teams in the gender mainstreaming in the target media outlets.
5. Facilitate Team to develop action plans to introdiuce/ apply gender and inclusion in the programs.
6. Wite an activity report.

The resource person will refer to the following documents while undertaking the assignment;

1. Gender and Media guidelines (by UMWA)
2. The UNESCO Gender, Media Sensitive Indicators
3. Training giuide on Gender and Media
4. Training guide on Gender, Diversity and Inclusion.
5.  Any other relevant documents

1. METHODOLOGY

To conduct the assignment, the resource person together with UMWA project team shall use Focus group discussions and Action planning in each of the selected media outlets.

The following stakeholders can be consulted while carrying out the assignment:

• Work with two fellow resource persons and the UMWA team.
• UMWA as an institution & Project staff
• Media Practioners and Managers
• Any other media related stakeholders

• Scope of work

The scope of the work covers supporting selected media houses (two per region) to implement standards   on Gender, Disability and Inclusion of other minority groups from Karamoja, Northern and West Nile regions of Uganda.

1. Participate in the planning/ strategy meeting prior to implementation of the assignment to undertand and review the hand book on Gender, Disability and Inclusion.
2. Submit a work plan, and implementation schedule as agreed upon with UMWA
3. Conduct the training/ orientation of the selected media outlets in the target regions.
4. Come up with action plan in each of the media.

• Deliverables
  • Final agreed upon workplan/implementation schedule
  • Activity Report
  • Action plans.

• TIMING AND DURATION

The consultants shall submit a detailed work plan for the assignment to UMWA no later than 24/02/2025.

The first draft of the activity report for comments to UMWA not later than the 14/03/2025.

The final report, which incorporates the UMWA comments and Action plans, should be submitted to UMWA not later than the 21/03/2025.

The estimated amount of working days required shall be:

• Joint meeting with two other consultants and the UMWA team                             1 day
• Preparations (Development of implementation workplan and schedule).               1 days
• Documentary review and Analysis                                                                           1 days   
• Conducting the training and orientation of journalists in selected media outlets    14 days 
• Documenting activity reports and action plans                                                        1day     

Total Number of days                                                                                                  18 days

 QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Development Studies or other related development studies/ courses.
• Minimum 4-5 years of experience in conducting similar assignments.
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of media and gender equality issues
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong interviewing skills and ability to establish relationship with clients
• Strong analytical skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Good understanding of the society, culture and behaviors of Ugandan community in both urban and rural areas
• Understanding of the local government system of Uganda

How to apply:

For those interested; Share an expression of interest letter detailing how you meet the criteria in the above Terms of reference; your CV, and a Financial Proposal to: info@umwamamafm.co.ug. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by 20^th February 2025, consider yourself unsuccessful.