Media Endowment Writer (Consultant) at ActionAid Nigeria

ActionAid is an anti-poverty agency that prioritises works with the poor and excluded; promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and Governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world. ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, an International Non-Governmental organisation registered in The Netherlands with its headquarters in Johannesburg South Africa. ActionAid International works in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

ActionAid Nigeria is inviting applications from qualified candidates to fill the position below within the organisation:

Job Title: Consultant - Media Endowment Writer for EC-PANAF Project

Location: Nigeria

Background
At the 8th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union heads of government 2007, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), an initiative of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) by the African leaders. This legal document came into force on 15 February 2012 with about 10 countries signing and ratifying the document. Another 28 countries signed but have not ratified while 18 countries still have a neutral position on it. The ACDEG has since 2012 been ratified by 45 countries.

The instrument aims at reinforcing the commitment of the AU Member States towards the promotion and consolidation of democratic governance and human rights on the continent. The formulation of this charter was stimulated by different decisions, declarations, resolutions and normative instruments of AU. These instruments include the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; the 1999 Algiers Decision on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa; the 2000 Lomé Declaration on the Framework for an AU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government; the 2002 AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; and the 2002 Constitutive Act of the AU.

The charter seeks to Promote adherence, by each State Party, to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights; Promote and enhance adherence to the principle of the rule of law premised upon the respect for, and the supremacy of the constitution and constitutional order in the political arrangements of the State Parties. It also seeks to Promote the holding of regular free and fair elections to institutionalise legitimate authority of representative government as well as democratic change of governments; Prohibit, reject and condemn unconstitutional change of government in any member state as a serious threat to stability, peace, security and development amidst other objectives. The charter further empowers the African Union Commission (AUC) through the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit and the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Fund to offer technical assistance to AU Member States towards the strengthening and improvement of their electoral institutions and processes.

The implementation of ACDEG is envisaged to take place at national, regional and continental levels, leveraging normative instruments, policies and structures at those levels as stipulated under Article 44 of ACDEG. Since the adoption of the charter in 2012, different countries have made tremendous effort in the entrenchment of democracy and good governance in Africa. But of the 45 African countries signatory to ACDEG, only the Republic of Togo has since submitted its initial State Report on the implementation of the principles and commitments to the Charter. As part of efforts at organising citizens for civic engagement and empower them to engage the government to live up to their responsibility of implementing the objectives of ACDEG, ActionAid Nigeria is targeting media as critical partners.

It is against this background that ActionAid Nigeria decided to commission a study into the status of implementation of African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance, with reference selected articles of the ACDEG charter. The study shall have examined the extent to which Nigeria have fared in the mainstreaming of the selected articles of the African Charter on Democracy Election

We believe that the media, being the most significant force in the public sphere, are the most important and viable stakeholder to tell the stories of the adherence and commitment of Nigeria to promoting democratic principle of human rights, respect for the rule of law, youth participation, gender equality and the extent to which institutions are strengthened.

This engagement is to write one investigative story/produce an investigative programme on issues around the level of implementation of selected articles of ACDEG. This story or programme would be based on the story idea already submitted and approved by ActionAid Nigeria.

Criteria for stories
The details and terms of reference are contained below:

• The story will detail analyse the key democracy and governance trends in Nigeria focusing on constitutional order and rule of law, youth Participation, Gender Equality, Free and Fair Elections
• The story must detail and identify the major challenges, threats, prospects and opportunities in enhancing constitutional order and rule of law within the framework of the provision of ACDEG.
• The story must shun support for any political party, partisan political statements, religious orientation and any other tendentious orientation.
• Explore and recommend how ACDEG can support Nigeria in promoting and enhancing adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism within the framework of the AGA Platform
• The story must avoid libellous claims, character assassination statements and strictly conform with all the ethics of journalism and media practice.
• Your media organisation must be committed to publishing or airing the story.
• The investigation/production of the story must be concluded and published/aired not later than 20th July 2018.The story shall focus on key areas identified by the Afro-Barometer as the focus for our engagement with policy makers.

Reporting Lines:

• You will be accountable in your work directly to the Social Mobilisation Manager of ActionAid Nigeria, who can also assign the Policy Campaign & Advocacy Officer and the Communications Coordinator to liaise directly with selected Journalists.
• During investigating your story, you are expected to work with, and seek support of a consultant with relevant professional competencies and experience identified by ActionAid Nigeria

Compliance:

• Any alterations to this Terms of Reference must be negotiated with the Social Mobilisation Manager, ActionAid Nigeria and approved by ActionAid’s Country Director.
• Failure to comply with all the terms of this contract (or its agreed amended forms) will result in non-payment of either parts or all the fees due.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Socials Sciences or Arts/Humanities.
• At least 10 years work experience; 3 of which should have been spent writing investigative reports.
• A strong understanding of Africa Charter of Democracy, Election and Governance (ACDEG).
• Understanding of Nigeria’s political and policy context.

Language Requirements:

• A good grasp of English language.

Ownership of outputs:

• Outputs of this contract as stipulated in the terms of reference belong to ActionAid Nigeria and ActionAid International.
• Place of Work & Administrative Support
• The consultant will be free to work independently from any base location or where required. S/he will be expected to provide his/her own work equipment and space except where otherwise stated Submission of expression of interest

Application Closing Date
20th May, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates (Policy Analyst/Writer) should send their CV's, detailing competency to: [email protected] and cc: [email protected] using the subject line "PANAF Writer".

Note

• The selected Policy Brief Writer will sign a contract with AAN and is responsible for acquiring relevant tools needed for the task.
• Include the fee for undertaking the task on the last page of your CV (Please note that only a flat fee will be paid. Daily rate does not apply), links to sample of past works and any other relevant information, demonstrating skill and experience in this area.