BBC Media Action
Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
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Job Description
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BBC Media Action Consultancy Opportunity:
Stakeholder and Audience Analysis to Inform Design of a Media and Communication Intervention to Support Forest Conservation and Restoration in Ethiopia
BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international charity. In a world of disinformation, distrust and division, we share the BBC’s values, skills and experience to bring people together and foster greater understanding and trust. With our partners, we reach more than 100 million people around the world, providing impartial, impactful, trustworthy media that enables people to make informed choices to transform their lives.
Within our climate and resilience portfolio, our work aims to reduce risk and build resilience by equipping people with practical information and platforms for discussion that support decision-making within households and communities. Climate-related programming helps audiences adapt farming practices, protect their homes, and use weather forecasts more effectively to safeguard their lives and livelihoods. Programmes to reduce disaster risk have inspired people to build earthquake-resistant homes and take other actions to protect themselves from natural hazards. Our work in these areas also addresses governance – to inspire people to engage in discussion and debate about what can be done about environmental and climate issues, and to encourage accountability among leaders. For instance, in Indonesia, our Kembali ke Hutan (Return to the Forest) project has created multimedia communication programming to engage with young Indonesians from urban, rural and indigenous communities about the sustainable development choices their country faces, helping them make informed choices on environmental issues, and creating accessible spaces for trusted and informed discussion.
BBC Media Action has been active in Ethiopia since 2001, across a range of issues including health, media development and youth empowerment. We have previously developed programming to support local radio stations to use storytelling and discussion coupled with weather reports to help people understand weather forecasts. 76% of listeners reported having used the new forecasts to take action.
We are currently seeking an experienced Ethiopia-based programme design consultant with experience in the forestry conservation sector to support our Addis Ababa team to assess how media and communication could be leveraged to address the key drivers of deforestation in Ethiopia and develop new partnerships accordingly.
About You
The main objectives of this support would be to:
- Map out existing relevant interventions and understand how they are currently harnessing media and communication, if at all.
- Agree with BBC Media Action the potential key drivers of deforestation to explore in Ethiopia where media and communication could play a critical role and add most value to existing initiatives. This could include consideration of governance level interventions (e.g. improving accountability for government commitments and promoting transparency around enforcement of relevant policies e.g. on land use), building understanding of public attitudes towards deforestation and support for conservation and reforestation efforts, and/or behavioural change communication initiatives related to encouraging sustainable forest management among small-scale farming communities.
- Conduct a range of interviews with key stakeholders for a potential media and communication-based intervention in Ethiopia, including from government, civil society, multilateral agencies, traditional and digital media, academia and donors. BBC Media Action may join some of these interviews.
- Following agreement with BBC Media Action on the most relevant drivers and entry points, conduct any light touch audience-level research required to enhance understanding of population-level realities, interests and priorities (e.g. through focus groups).
- Lead a brainstorm session with BBC Media Action staff from both the Ethiopia office and the global technical support team, pulling together all research and consultation to facilitate design of a potential media and communication offer around deforestation in Ethiopia.
- Produce a report outlining key findings and recommendations (including potential target geographic areas and audiences). We will define the final report format with the consultant as part of the contracting process.
- Regularly liaise with the Country Director and global technical support team throughout the consultancy, to share insights and progress and ensure efforts are aligned with the organisation’s overall approaches and priorities.
We are interested in hearing from consultants who are currently based in Ethiopia (or in the East Africa region, if they have good experience within Ethiopia and are able to travel there) and have extensive contacts within the forestry conservation sector in the country. The consultant should be able to travel within Ethiopia to meet stakeholders as required. We anticipate a maximum of 15 days for this consultancy. Travel costs will be reimbursed in line with BBC Media Action policies. Logistical costs for conducting any audience-level research needed will also be reimbursed separately.
BBC Media Action is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
The selected consultant must understand and comply with BBC Media Action’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately, either to the Country Director, or using the Whistleblowing Policy.
Required Skills
- Effective communication and sociability
- Social media/digital communication
How To Apply
To express an interest in this work, please email Sara Lukey-Smith, Head of Global Partnerships at sara.lukey-smith@uk.bbcmediaaction.org by 20 November 2024 with your CV and a covering email, outlining what qualifies you for this role, your availability in December 2024 and January 2025 and your fee rates.