Terms of Reference (ToR) Consultancy: Supporting the Integration of Disinformation Literacy and Ethics into University Journalism Teaching in Ethiopia 14 views

Background Information

International Media Support (IMS) works in more than 30 countries across four continents, promoting press freedom, good journalism and the safety of journalists. In order to strengthen African media ecosystems, IMS launched the African Media Integrity and Resilience Programme (AMIRP) in Ethiopia, Ghana, Central African Republic, aiming to enhance the capacities, structures, and networks of independent media so they can act as genuine providers of fact-based, reliable information and form a key barrier against information manipulation. The programme is funded by the European Union with the objective to support public interest media actors in these three African countries to effectively counter disinformation and promote a conducive environment for media independent and press freedom, strengthening the safety of journalists and support democratic governance by enhancing the skills of journalists and content producers, as well as support the editorial, managerial and business viability capacities of public interest media outlets.

As part of the AMIRP programme, the IMS Ethiopia office aims to integrate disinformation literacy and ethics into university journalism curricula, ensuring future journalists are equipped with the skills to identify and counter disinformation effectively. The activity involves the development of a tailored module and its delivery through training, validation workshops, and pilot testing sessions, to enable university educators, journalism trainers, and senior students to incorporate derived concepts into their teaching. To strengthen academic partnerships and promote practical application, IMS will also organise inter-university competitions, such as fact-checking hackathons, encouraging participants to apply counter-disinformation techniques in real-world scenarios and embed them into classroom discussions. Therefore, IMS would like to hire a National Expert and an International Consultant to bring global expertise to the initiative, ensure quality and contextual relevance.

Purpose and Objectives

The overall objective of this task is to support the integration of disinformation literacy and media ethics into existing journalism course offerings and teaching practice at Ethiopian universities by strengthening the capacity of educators and students to identify, analyse, and responsibly counter disinformation in ways that are locally relevant and institutionally owned.

Scope of the Assessment and the Consultancy Works

To achieve the objective of this activity, IMS will hire two consultants (a National Expert and an International Consultant) who will collaboratively carry out the specified duties and activities. The National Expert will be engaged for 20 days, while the International Consultant will be engaged for 10 days. .

Both the National Expert and the International Consultant will collaborate to co‑develop a context‑appropriate teaching package on disinformation literacy and ethics, and support its integration into selected journalism course offerings through participatory validation workshops, shared learning sessions, and pilot testing led jointly with university educators and trainers. The consultants will primarily engage with Axum, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dilla, Wellega, Addis Ababa and Civil Service Universities.

Key Responsibilities of the National Expert

• Review existing disinformation literacy and ethics curricula to identify Ethiopian journalism education gaps, needs and new approaches in relation to disinformation literacy and ethics curricula and submit a brief report.
• Draft a tailored context-appropriate module on disinformation literacy and ethics that can be locally adopted and integrated into existing journalism study programmes at Ethiopian universities.
• Conduct a three-day validation workshop Draft a tailored context-appropriate module on disinformation literacy and ethics that can be locally adopted and integrated into existing journalism study programmes at Ethiopian universities to review the module’s suitability and relevance with existing local and global journalism education practice.
• Pilot test the module on disinformation literacy and ethics to align it with national education standards and ensure pedagogical usability.
• Collect structured feedback, including pre-/post-training self-assessments, sample coursework artefacts (lesson plans, assessment tools), and lecturer reflections, to further enhance the module.
• Refine and finalise the module based on feedback from the International Consultant, validation workshop and pilot-testing participants.
• Organise inter-university competitive fact‑checking hackathons and facilitate small stipends in coordination with Journalism Schools and IMS, to incentivise and accelerate practical uptake of classroom integration and academic‑media collaboration in ethical content production
• Maintain a simple “feedback-to-revision” log documenting how inputs from educators, students, and other stakeholders informed changes to content, pedagogy, examples, and assessment approaches.
• Ensure at least 50% participation of women educators, trainers, and senior students in every activity related to the development and integration of the module.
• Ensure that fact-checking hackathon winners and small stipend awardees submit deliverables.
• Compile a comprehensive report, incorporating evidence of practical application of the module, updated course syllabi, assignments, assessment tools and related materials.

Key Responsibilities of the International Consultant \

• Conduct a technical peer review and provide written input to the development of the module on disinformation literacy and ethics and contributing comparative perspectives that strengthen quality and rigour while respecting local context, priorities, and pedagogical approaches.
• Bring about global expertise to the initiative
• Review and ensure quality and contextual relevance of the module
• Collaborate with the National Expert to organise virtual and in-person co‑creation and validation workshops with higher‑education stakeholders
• Refine content, pedagogy, and assessment tools of the module
• Facilitate (virtual and in-person) training sessions for educators and senior students, complemented by module pilot-testing in selected courses aimed at transferring knowledge and capacity. Online webinars will complement in‑person co‑creation, validation, and pilot‑testing activities by providing thematic inputs, comparative perspectives, and follow‑up reflection spaces, with content shaped by issues raised by local educators and students during pilot implementation.
• Ensure iterative improvement of the module based on structured participant feedback.
• Compile and submit a short reflective brief regarding the assignment.

Key deliverables and overall tasks

Timeframe

This task must be executed with a team of two consultants (National Exprt and International Consultant) who will deliver on activities related to the Integration of Disinformation Literacy and Ethics into University Journalism Curricula in Ethiopia. The National Expert will be engaged through an individual contract for 20 days, while the International Consultant will have 10 days engagement for all deliverables specified in their respective responsibilities. Both consultants must closely collaborate to ensure the successful completion of the task and submit one consolidated final report.

Staffing and Inputs

• The International Consultant and the National Expert will work as a team, and in close coordination with the IMS Ethiopia Programme Manager and Country Representative, maintaining regular dialogue with participating universities to ensure responsiveness to institutional needs and priorities. They will technically coordinate closely with the Programme Officer. The Consultants will also liaise with other IMS staff, including the AMIRP Programme Team Leader, the Regional Director for Africa, and the Regional Advisor for Africa. The Consultants will collaborate closely with IMS Partners to gather relevant information needed for this assignment and to avoid duplication of effort and resources.
• IMS shall provide consultants with information related to the task, a comprehensive explanation of the assignment, and technical as well as administrative support, including prompt responses to inquiries and feedback on the tailored module and related materials, training, validation and pre-testing plan, as well as the organisation of Fact-checking hackathons.
• IMS will pay the consultants individually for their time per contract and facilitate the smooth running of the coordinated assignment as much as possible. For this, the consultants will coordinate amongst each other and with the IMS Local Finance and Administration Coordinator.

Applicable Terms and Conditions

• Timeline: The assignment shall be completed no later than 15 May 2028. Any extension must be agreed upon in writing by IMS.
• Scope of Responsibility: Each consultant shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with their individual assignment, including but not limited to:
  • Baseline Assessment data collection, analysis and reporting.
  • Recruitment of trainees, planning and delivering training, validation workshops, pre-testing of the module, and organising fact-checking hackathons. IMS will be responsible for allocating and managing a lump-sum budget for inter-university competitions, such as fact-checking hackathons.
  • Travel and accommodation arrangements related to this task.
  • Organising and participating in meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Payment Terms

The total consultancy fee for the National Expert shall be paid in ETB, while the International Consultant will be paid in USD. Each party will receive their payment in three instalments, subject to satisfactory delivery of outputs and approval by IMS:

• 30% upon signing of the contract and submission of a concept note on or before 15 June 2026.
  • 50% upon submitting the Final Revised Tailored Training Module on Disinformation Literacy and Ethics by 30 April 2028.
  • 20% upon submission and approval of the Brief Summary Assignment Report by 15 May 2028.
• Compliance and Conduct: The Consultants agree to:
  • Adhere to all relevant IMS policies, including but not limited to travel, safety, ethics, gender equality, and ethical use of AI generated content.
  • Refrain from engaging in any activity that may create conflict or commit IMS to any obligation without prior written consent.
  • Immediately report any actual or potential conflict of interest to IMS.
  • No offer, payment, or benefit of any kind that could be construed as corrupt or unethical shall be made or accepted in connection with this contract.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in Journalism, Media and Communication Studies, Applied ethics, Digital Manipulation, Political Science, Information Warfare, Information/Computer Science, or a related field. Specialised knowledge or academic research on disinformation, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence and Data Integrity is an advantage.
• Experience: At least ten years of experience in teaching Journalism, Media and Communication Studies, with proven experience in designing, delivery and monitoring higher education courses, modules, and active learning pedagogies. Experience in developing media literacy training and fact-checking workshops.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in applying ethical frameworks to new technologies, particularly AI and social media algorithms. Awareness of the latest disinformation trends, Generative-AI and AI-generated content.
• Higher Education Engagement: Familiarity with university quality assurance process, learning management systems and student assessment techniques.
• Pedagogical Innovation: Proven experience in teaching and training diverse groups through innovative approaches to ensure applicability of knowledge and skills in real-world experience.
• Ability toencourage university lecturers and senior students to apply counter-disinformation techniques in real-world scenarios and embed them into classroom discussion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic (additional local languages spoken in targeted regions is an asset), strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with a wide range of trainees, university professors, and the International Consultant, ability to present complex pedagogical and project information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to monitor and document changes, deadlines, experience in coordinating and leading competitive fact-checking hackathons and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge and Understanding: Excellent understanding of the media landscape in Ethiopia, including the legal, political, and social challenges created by the spread of disinformation and context-relevant countering disinformation techniques.
• Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity: High ethical standards and a commitment to protecting the rights and safety of journalists, journalism educators, trainers and students, cultural sensitivity, commitment to gender equality and the ability to work effectively in diverse and challenging environments.