Terms of Reference – Journalism/ Newsroom Mentor Full Time

Terms of Reference – Journalism/ Newsroom Mentor for Addis Maleda

BBC Media Action is an international NGO working in Ethiopia since 2001 as a registered charity with the Authority for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO). BBC Media Action uses media and communications for good informing, connecting and empowering people around the world.

1. Background

Public interest media content is essential for promoting transparency, accountability, civic participation, and social change. However, many journalists and producers working on public interest issues lack the digital skills and technical knowledge to effectively package and disseminate their stories in engaging formats suited for today’s audiences.

This assignment is part of the Public Interest Media and Healthy Information Environments (PIMHIE) project funded by FCDO and led by BBC Media Action, which focuses on strengthening media outlets through a combination of support packages, capacity building, technical assistance, salary support to fund for new, dedicated digital roles, and strategic support to improve the sector’s operating context. The project aims to achieve two key outcomes: first, it seeks to enhance the ability of media organizations to deliver high-quality, inclusive public interest media content that engages audiences, builds trust, and strengthens resilience against disinformation, while remaining robust amid political and economic challenges; second, it strives to improve the wider enabling environment for information and media within the program countries. The overall impact is the creation of healthier information environments in multiple country contexts, where trusted public interest media content flows more freely and widely, supporting informed communities.

As part of its media capacity development initiative, BBC Media Action is recruiting a Newsroom Mentor for Addis Maleda, one of our media partners, to provide hands-on editorial guidance and technical support.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to provide mentorship and capacity support to the senior editor in newsroom management

Specific Objectives

• Develop the editorial and reporting skills of senior journalists through practical guidance and coaching in news writing and storytelling.
• Promote ethical and public interest journalism practices at Addis Maleda.
• Support the production of quality, audience-centered news content reflecting diverse perspectives and voices.
• Assess and enhance the current skills of newsroom staff in multimedia content creation.
• Establish a framework for sustained internal knowledge transfer and skill embedding within the Addis Maleda organization.

Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

• Provide editorial guidance and feedback to the newsroom management.
• Support journalists in identifying, developing, and producing impactful news stories.
• Follow up the progress at Addis Maleda newsroom staff and make regular feedback reports.
• Share learning outcomes and contribute to reporting on newsroom performance
• Design and implement coaching sessions for newsroom staff, focusing on hands-on application and real-world scenarios.
• Capitalize on the need for effective knowledge transfer by developing standardized operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and mentorship guidelines to empower newsroom staff.
• Provide strategic recommendations for the long-term structure of the newsroom’s digital production workflow and continuous professional development program.

Deliverables

• Mentorship plan detailing an approach, timeline, and key focus areas
• Biweekly progress reports highlighting progress and challenges in the newsroom.
• Knowledge Transfer Framework and documentation detailing how skills will be embedded.
• Support the newsroom to develop 3 to 5 news stories developed and published per week; at least 1 public-interest feature story produced in a month under mentorship
• Mid-term progress report and Final Report detailing activities conducted, outcomes achieved, and strategic recommendations.

Duration and Level of Effort

Contract Duration: January 15 – March 30, 2026

Work engagement: Part-time, 1-2 days per week (10 – 20 days)

Place of work: Onsite at Addis Maleda office

Reporting

The mentor will report to the Training Coordinator and Project Lead at BBC Media Action and work in close collaboration with the Addis Maleda team to align with project objectives.

Payment and Reporting Schedule

Payment shall be made monthly upon submission and approval of the deliverables. The mentor shall submit progress reports and deliverables in accordance with the agreed schedule.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in journalism, Communication or Media Studies
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in news production, editing, or reporting experience in an editorial or news production leadership role, preferably within a digital-first environment.
• Previous hands-on experience in mentoring and coaching journalists and media managers
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of ethical journalism principles.
• Experience with digital journalism tools, social media platforms, and multimedia storytelling.
• Higher level of writing, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Ethiopian media landscape and the challenges of public interest media.
• Demonstrable expertise in multimedia production (e.g., video journalism, interactive graphics, podcasting) and a proven track record of creating high-quality digital content.
• Expert-level command and digital tool navigation proficiency across a range of industry-standard editorial, production, and distribution platforms.
• Strong understanding of knowledge transfer methodologies and organizational change management to ensure skills are sustainably integrated.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills.