(ToR) For consultancy service to develop a Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework for media houses and Support selected Media Houses in Developing Institutional Gender Equality Policies
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Role description
Background
The Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA)
, established in 1999 by female journalists and media professionals, is a non‑partisan, not‑for‑profit organization committed to advancing gender equality in and through the media. EMWA has consistently worked to advocate and strengthen women’s rights, participation, representation, and professionalism in Ethiopia’s media sector. Since its establishment, the association has built credibility through initiatives that enhance the capacity of women journalists, promote gender-sensitive content, and improve the portrayal and representation of women in the media. It has also strengthened networking among the professionals, safeguarded women’s access to media platforms, and conducted research on gender and media issues.
Despite progress in Ethiopia’s media landscape, gender inequality and gender‑based violence remain persistent challenges. Women journalists continue to face systemic barriers, including under-representation in leadership roles, workplace discrimination, harassment both offline and online, and persistent gender stereotypes in media content. These barriers undermine professional growth, silence women’s voices, affect retention of women media practitioners, and perpetuate inequities that hinder the development of a balanced and inclusive media environment. EMWA’s collaboration with Fojo Media Institute has expanded into policy-level interventions, and the association has already supported three media houses in developing organizational gender equality policies and enabling workplaces through signed Memorandum of Understanding.
However, Ethiopia’s media sector still lacks a standardized framework to guide gender equality across institutions. Current efforts are fragmented and depend on individual organizational willingness. To address this gap, EMWA is well‑positioned to lead the development of a Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework. This framework will provide consistent guidance for media institutions, setting standards for gender‑responsive practices. At the same time, EMWA will extend targeted support to 15 selected media houses to help them design and implement tailor‑made institutional gender equality policies. Together, these two components—model framework development and institutional support—will create synergy, ensuring both systemic alignment and practical application of gender equality principles across Ethiopia’s media sector.
Objectives
General Objective
The objective of this assignment is to develop a Model Media Gender Equality guideline/Framework that will serve both the wider media sector and the Ethiopian Media Authority as a standardized reference for promoting the adoption of tailor‑made institutional frameworks. It will further support the improvement of newsroom culture and inspire sustainable behavioral change across media organizations.
Specific Objectives
To develop a comprehensive Model Media Gender Equality guideline/Framework.
To identify and understand the gender gaps and opportunities in the selected 15 media houses
To support the development of context-based gender equality policies for 15 media houses
To promote adoption and implementation of gender-responsive standards across the media sector.
Guide the monitoring and follow-up of the media houses in gender equality policy development and implementation in drafting and/or strengthening their institutional gender policies.
Scope of Work
The assignment will include, but not be limited to:
Situational Analysis
Review existing national policies, legal frameworks, and international standards on gender and media.
Review the gender equality policies of media houses that have already been developed.
Conduct a gender audit/ baseline assessment of the target 15 media houses
Prepare and deliver assessment reports for each media house to identify key gaps, challenges, and opportunities in gender representation and inclusion in the target media.
Development of the Model Media Gender Equality Policy
Lead the drafting of the model gender equality guideline/framework
In consultation with the Technical Working Committee, develop an agreed-upon outline for the model gender equality guideline/framework
Align the model gender equality guideline/framework with national policies and international commitments
Facilitate stakeholder and technical working committee consultation workshops.
Facilitate validation workshops.
Submit reports on each of the workshops
Revise and finalize the model gender equality guideline/framework based on feedback.
Support to 15 Media Houses
Provide tailor made technical assistance based on the findings of baseline assessment to selected media institutions to:
Support the development or revision their internal gender equality policies
Provide support to align newly drafted/revised institutional gender equality policies with model gender equality guideline/framework and international commitments
Facilitate participatory policy/ guideline development processes within media houses.
Deliverables
The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:
Inception report with detailed methodology and work plan
Baseline reports gender assessment/audit report for each of the 15 media houses
Draft Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework
Stakeholder consultation and validation workshop reports
Final Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework
Report on Institutional gender equality policies for the 15 selected media houses
Final assignment report with recommendations
Methodology
The assignment should adopt a participatory and inclusive approach, including:
Desk review of relevant documents
Survey of the gender status of the 13 selected media houses
Key informant interviews (KIIs)
Focus group discussions (FGDs)
Stakeholder consultations and validation workshops
Capacity-building sessions
Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to be completed within
six (6)months
from the date of contract signing.
Required Qualifications and Experience
For Lead Consultant/Firm:
Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Media Studies, Communications, or related field
More than 8 years of proven experience in gender studies, policy development, and media sector engagement
Strong understanding of gender equality frameworks and media dynamics
Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building
Language: Excellent writing and communication skills in English Language
Excellent report writing skills and a track record of producing analytical publications
Advanced knowledge of gender equality gaps and national and international policies
Reporting and Coordination
The consultant/firm will report to
Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA)
and work closely with relevant stakeholders including media regulatory bodies, journalist associations, media houses and civil society organizations.
Ethical Considerations
Ensure confidentiality and informed consent in data collection
Apply gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches throughout the assignment
Respect diversity and promote participation of marginalized groups
Budget
The Ethiopian Media Women Association will provide a budget for this project, including consultancy fees, logistics expenses, and any other costs associated with the development of the gender policy.
Activities
%
After submission of the inception report
20%
After submission of 1st draft model media gender equality policy
20%
After submission, selected media houses' baseline assessment report and revised media gender equality policy,
30%
Final model media gender equality policy and completion report
30%
Evaluation:
The success of this project will be evaluated based on the quality and relevance of the gender policy developed, as well as the level of engagement, satisfaction of media houses and stakeholders throughout the process.
How To Apply
Consultants will submit their expression of interest (EOI), including technical and financial proposals and a comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three referees to the following EMWA address until June 12/2026, COB.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P. O. Box: 6473
Mob. 0977300031
Arada sub-city, Woreda 1, Kebele 05, House No. 601
Email-
ethiopianmwa@gmail.com
Skills (mandatory):
Communication
Work experience:
8-12 years
Apply Now!
The Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA)
, established in 1999 by female journalists and media professionals, is a non‑partisan, not‑for‑profit organization committed to advancing gender equality in and through the media. EMWA has consistently worked to advocate and strengthen women’s rights, participation, representation, and professionalism in Ethiopia’s media sector. Since its establishment, the association has built credibility through initiatives that enhance the capacity of women journalists, promote gender-sensitive content, and improve the portrayal and representation of women in the media. It has also strengthened networking among the professionals, safeguarded women’s access to media platforms, and conducted research on gender and media issues.
Despite progress in Ethiopia’s media landscape, gender inequality and gender‑based violence remain persistent challenges. Women journalists continue to face systemic barriers, including under-representation in leadership roles, workplace discrimination, harassment both offline and online, and persistent gender stereotypes in media content. These barriers undermine professional growth, silence women’s voices, affect retention of women media practitioners, and perpetuate inequities that hinder the development of a balanced and inclusive media environment. EMWA’s collaboration with Fojo Media Institute has expanded into policy-level interventions, and the association has already supported three media houses in developing organizational gender equality policies and enabling workplaces through signed Memorandum of Understanding.
However, Ethiopia’s media sector still lacks a standardized framework to guide gender equality across institutions. Current efforts are fragmented and depend on individual organizational willingness. To address this gap, EMWA is well‑positioned to lead the development of a Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework. This framework will provide consistent guidance for media institutions, setting standards for gender‑responsive practices. At the same time, EMWA will extend targeted support to 15 selected media houses to help them design and implement tailor‑made institutional gender equality policies. Together, these two components—model framework development and institutional support—will create synergy, ensuring both systemic alignment and practical application of gender equality principles across Ethiopia’s media sector.
Objectives
General Objective
The objective of this assignment is to develop a Model Media Gender Equality guideline/Framework that will serve both the wider media sector and the Ethiopian Media Authority as a standardized reference for promoting the adoption of tailor‑made institutional frameworks. It will further support the improvement of newsroom culture and inspire sustainable behavioral change across media organizations.
Specific Objectives
To develop a comprehensive Model Media Gender Equality guideline/Framework.
To identify and understand the gender gaps and opportunities in the selected 15 media houses
To support the development of context-based gender equality policies for 15 media houses
To promote adoption and implementation of gender-responsive standards across the media sector.
Guide the monitoring and follow-up of the media houses in gender equality policy development and implementation in drafting and/or strengthening their institutional gender policies.
Scope of Work
The assignment will include, but not be limited to:
Situational Analysis
Review existing national policies, legal frameworks, and international standards on gender and media.
Review the gender equality policies of media houses that have already been developed.
Conduct a gender audit/ baseline assessment of the target 15 media houses
Prepare and deliver assessment reports for each media house to identify key gaps, challenges, and opportunities in gender representation and inclusion in the target media.
Development of the Model Media Gender Equality Policy
Lead the drafting of the model gender equality guideline/framework
In consultation with the Technical Working Committee, develop an agreed-upon outline for the model gender equality guideline/framework
Align the model gender equality guideline/framework with national policies and international commitments
Facilitate stakeholder and technical working committee consultation workshops.
Facilitate validation workshops.
Submit reports on each of the workshops
Revise and finalize the model gender equality guideline/framework based on feedback.
Support to 15 Media Houses
Provide tailor made technical assistance based on the findings of baseline assessment to selected media institutions to:
Support the development or revision their internal gender equality policies
Provide support to align newly drafted/revised institutional gender equality policies with model gender equality guideline/framework and international commitments
Facilitate participatory policy/ guideline development processes within media houses.
Deliverables
The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:
Inception report with detailed methodology and work plan
Baseline reports gender assessment/audit report for each of the 15 media houses
Draft Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework
Stakeholder consultation and validation workshop reports
Final Model Media Gender Equality guideline/framework
Report on Institutional gender equality policies for the 15 selected media houses
Final assignment report with recommendations
Methodology
The assignment should adopt a participatory and inclusive approach, including:
Desk review of relevant documents
Survey of the gender status of the 13 selected media houses
Key informant interviews (KIIs)
Focus group discussions (FGDs)
Stakeholder consultations and validation workshops
Capacity-building sessions
Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to be completed within
six (6)months
from the date of contract signing.
Required Qualifications and Experience
For Lead Consultant/Firm:
Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Media Studies, Communications, or related field
More than 8 years of proven experience in gender studies, policy development, and media sector engagement
Strong understanding of gender equality frameworks and media dynamics
Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building
Language: Excellent writing and communication skills in English Language
Excellent report writing skills and a track record of producing analytical publications
Advanced knowledge of gender equality gaps and national and international policies
Reporting and Coordination
The consultant/firm will report to
Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA)
and work closely with relevant stakeholders including media regulatory bodies, journalist associations, media houses and civil society organizations.
Ethical Considerations
Ensure confidentiality and informed consent in data collection
Apply gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches throughout the assignment
Respect diversity and promote participation of marginalized groups
Budget
The Ethiopian Media Women Association will provide a budget for this project, including consultancy fees, logistics expenses, and any other costs associated with the development of the gender policy.
Activities
%
After submission of the inception report
20%
After submission of 1st draft model media gender equality policy
20%
After submission, selected media houses' baseline assessment report and revised media gender equality policy,
30%
Final model media gender equality policy and completion report
30%
Evaluation:
The success of this project will be evaluated based on the quality and relevance of the gender policy developed, as well as the level of engagement, satisfaction of media houses and stakeholders throughout the process.
How To Apply
Consultants will submit their expression of interest (EOI), including technical and financial proposals and a comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three referees to the following EMWA address until June 12/2026, COB.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P. O. Box: 6473
Mob. 0977300031
Arada sub-city, Woreda 1, Kebele 05, House No. 601
Email-
ethiopianmwa@gmail.com
Skills (mandatory):
Communication
Work experience:
8-12 years
Apply Now!