Job Vacancy @ BBC Media Action β Research Consultant
Job Description
Terms of reference for research consultant
Project Background
The media sector faces financial hardship due to insufficient funding, resulting in low salaries, operational challenges from resource scarcity and corruption, and undervalued advertising revenue, making outlets vulnerable to soft censorship. Sustainable economic models are crucial to improve this situation. While confidence exists in bodies like the Independent Media Commission (IMC), monitoring the expanding media landscape is difficult due to limited resources and inadequate legal frameworks for regulating social media. Poor equipment further hinders monitoring. Organizations like SLAJ struggle to enforce standards, and the IMC Act needs revision. In addition, though empowering marginalized voices, community radio suffers from political interference, threatening its independence. Print media is perceived as politicized. Stronger oversight is necessary for compliance and effective management.
The overall purpose of the role
BBC Media Action is beginning multiple new projects addressing media freedom and viability of the media sector in Sierra Leone. Although each project has a different focus, they will overall support the implementation of media sector reforms in Sierra Leone, in line with National Action Plan (NAP) for media reform and viability.
Scope of work
We are looking for a research consultant to conduct qualitative research across selected districts, with research locations and stakeholders determined by BBC Media Action in consultation with media partners.
The consultant will be required to conduct a media landscape analysis which will form the baseline of 3 projects regarding media reform through desk research of external sources, a review of all project documentation, and interviews with media stakeholders. This will include a review of new policies, legal amendments, regulations and government processes arising from the projectβs media reform interventions.
The purpose of this research is to identify the challenges and opportunities within these areas. This research will contribute to setting the project up for maximum impact across multiple NAP areas.
This approach will specifically focus on the current challenges within the media landscape (including but not limited to media regulatory and institutional, financial sustainability, and practitioner skills); the opportunities; the threats (legal, political, capture); and the areas where the projects can bring the most change.
In more detail, two reports will be produced as a result of this research:
- A detailed narrative media landscape analysis covering the dimensions of analysis listed below;
- A summary of the above report including a table with baseline scores of a selection of dimensions of the media landscape, according to which improvements/change in the media landscape over the lifetime of the projects will be assessed.
| Topic | Key research questions |
This refers to the extent to which public interest media have access to stable and diverse sources of funding which enable them to operate and maintain editorial independence? | How effective are traditional and emerging revenue streams for media sustainability in Sierra Leone? What is the current level of investment in the media sector in Sierra Leone? How have the income sources of media organizations evolved over the years? What are the financial challenges facing the media sector? E.g. tax incentives, waivers, subsidies etc? What is the initial impact of USAIDβs funding cuts on media organisations? (To be asked in any interviews that are conducted with media organisations). |
This refers to the capacity of local media institutions, sector bodies and coalitions to drive the media reform process | Which are the key media stakeholders that are currently driving media reform in Sierra Leone? Which specific aspect of the media reform process are they championing or leading? What are their successes and challenges in pushing for media reform? Which media coalition has the potential to lead sustainable media change and reform in Sierra Leone? What is the level of coordination among media coalitions and reform initiatives in the media in Sierra Leone? |
This refers to the determination of political leaders or governments to take decisive actions to improve, regulate, and restructure the media landscape in ways that promote freedom, fairness, and public interest. | How much political will is there to drive media reform to enhance media freedom and access to information in the Sierra Leone government? What political support is there for SLBC in terms of its ability to act independently and impartially from the government? |
This refers to the structures, processes, and regulations guiding media operations to ensure accountability, enhance freedom of expression, and protect the rights of individuals and entities within the media landscape. | What is the status of laws and policies on freedom of expression. What challenges does the media face in implementing these laws? What are the challenges faced by regulatory and monitoring bodies of the media sector in implementing these laws? What are main governance and management challenges facing media outlets/organizations? To what extent does the regulatory framework give the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation independence and financial freedoms? To what extent do tax laws and exemptions support local community media in Sierra Leone? |
This involves the way individuals or groups interpret and understand the information presented to them, the trustworthiness, accuracy and factual nature of the content, influenced by their beliefs, experiences, and social contexts. | To what extent does the public trust the ability of the media to hold the government to account? To what extent does the public view Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) as effective in this role? What shapes or drives the trust of audiences for media outlets? What areas (political, economic and social) of content do audiences consider as trustworthy that are produced by media outlets? What are the factors that limit audience trust in the content produced by media outlets in Sierra Leone (particularly as concerns mis- and disinformation)? |
This entails prioritizing meaningful topics for audiences and society, ensuring trust with accurate reporting and factual content. | Who decides on public interest content in community radio stations? How is public interest content sought by the media? How does the media understand and align their content with the needs of audiences? |
This includes, but is not limited, to the ability to research, create, edit, and present content effectively, while demonstrating ethical judgment, communication proficiency, and an understanding of diverse audiences and media platforms. | What is the current capacity of professional skills in the media sector to deliver public service content? |
This refers to the inclusion and representation of individuals of different genders in various roles and in media content, ensuring balanced perspectives and equal opportunities across all levels of media production and decision-making. | What is the current status of gender balance in the media sector? Do media organizations in Sierra Leone have specific policies promoting gender diversity in their recruitment and promotion practices? |
Who we are looking for
We need an experienced researcher who has successfully completed media landscape projects in Sierra Leone, especially qualitative studies. The consultant must show proof of similar work in the media sector in Sierra Leone. The ideal candidate can work alone and as part of a team. The consultant must be able to meet a strict deadline and be flexible under pressure. They will work with BBC Media Action research teams in Sierra Leone and London throughout the research process.
Responsibilities and deliverables
- Conduct desk review.
- Develop landscape research design
- Design study tools.
- Create and complete a scoring measurement for specific key areas that will be discussed and agreed with BBC MA.
- Conduct fieldwork in Freetown and selected districts (To be agreed with the BBC MA).
- Analyze data and write a full report of the rapid media landscape findings β (the format of the report will be agreed with the BBC MA).
Duration of assignment
The research consultant will work approximately 10-12 days between February and March 2025.
| Service | Approximate timing | Anticipated # days (maximum) |
| Initial meeting/discussion with BBC Media Action. | Feb 2025 | 1 hour |
| Reading of key background reports, reviewing the ToR, feedback on the scope of the research, research questions and scoring for the assignment, as well as the sources of data (desk research and interviews) to answer these questions. | Feb 2025 | 1 day |
| Stakeholder interviews and fieldwork (Agreed plan as to whether the fieldwork will be done in person and/or by phone) | Feb 2025 | 4 days |
| Desk research Draft of landscape analysis report & final table with category scoring based on desk research and stakeholder interviews & fieldwork | Feb 2025 | 4 days |
Incorporating revisions from BBC MA to produce:
| 14 March 2025 | 2 days |
| Total | Up to 12 days | |
Mode of working
The role involves a combination of remote work, in-person presence at the BBC Media Action office, and fieldwork travel. An extension to deliver the final report and present findings at a dissemination workshop may be offered based on the successful completion of the above deliverables.
How to apply:
If interested please email Josephus Kongo (Senior Research Officer, BBC Media Action, Sierra Leone) Josephus.kongo@sl.bbcmediaaction.org and Ellen Leafstedt (Senior Research Manager, BBC Media Action, UK) ellen.leafstedt@bbc.co.uk no later than 5 pm 27th February 2025 with the following:
- A short document outlining your experience in conducting rapid media landscape research.
- Proposed services/timings linking to above.
- A copy of CV.
- References.
- A quote detailing costs for providing the services outlined above.
