Call for Proposals Support to Media in Jordan Project: Local radios (private, community and

public) capacitated to produce and broadcast programmes

Reference : STMJO/LR/2017/13

Closing Date : 10 October 2017 (by 18hr00 Amman local time)

Duty Station : Amman, Jordan

Type of Contract : Implementing Partner Agreement

Contract Duration : 8 months (subject to availability of funds).

Contract Start Date : November 2017

Date: 10 September 2017

UNESCO is inviting written proposals from local or international organisations for the work assignment described in attachment A.

To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please find attached the following documents:

(a) Terms of Reference (attachment A);

(b) Background material concerning the work assignment (attachment B)

(c) Financial template (attachment C)

(d) Registration form (attachment D)

Your written proposal should comprise:

A) Technical Proposal consists of the following:

• A description of the organization, including a description of its managerial/administrative capacity and the organization’s previous engagement in the field of media development, journalism education and curricular revision in the Middle East region;

• A detailed approach, strategy and methodology guaranteeing a successful

undertaking of the assignment;

• A detailed work plan for the assignment, including indicators and timelines

• A description of the proposed team, including updated CV’s;

• Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any;

B) Financial proposal to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in

United States Dollars or in Euros.

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Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation best value for money.

Your proposal should be submitted by e-mail no later than close of business (18:00) on 10 October 2017. E-mail proposals should not exceed 10MB.

The e-mail address is: r.arafeh@unesco.org , with cc to c.neri@unesco.org

To ease the email tracing and facilitate quick processing, kindly use the following script “Local radios (private, community and public) capacitated to produce and broadcast programmes” as the email subject.

ONLY selected organizations will receive further notification and correspondences.

It is the organisation’s responsibility to ensure that the proposal is received by the deadline.

Thank you for your interest in this UNESCO assignment; and we look forward to receiving your proposal.

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Attachment A

Terms of Reference

1. Background and Objective

Since 2014, UNESCO Amman Office has been implementing the “Support to Media in Jordan” project, funded by the European Union, in close collaboration with the Ministry of State for Media Affairs and the media community in Jordan. The Support to Media in Jordan project aims to help Jordan’s efforts in advancing the Jordanian media to further increase its freedom, independence and professionalism. During the first phase of the project, UNESCO developed a comprehensive study of the Jordanian media landscape on the basis of UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDI). In the second phase of the project, UNESCO has been implementing activities based on the MDI report recommendations. UNESCO Office in Amman, active since more than a decade in the field of media-development in Jordan, implements the project in close cooperation with the Jordanian stakeholders. The funding for this project is provided by the European Union (EU), within the framework of an agreement signed between UNESCO and EU. For more information on the project, please visit: www.stmjo.com/en.

The project is now in Phase Two, which addresses the findings as well as recommendations of the above-mentioned study in the following areas:

§ Improvement of legal framework, closer in line with international standards; § Entry level journalism education; § Systematic quality training for media professionals; § Independent self-regulatory mechanism; § Media and information literacy (MIL); § Diversity and pluralism in the media.

The MDI analysis observes that most media outlets are based in Amman, with less attention being largely paid to issues of concern to those living in other governorates. Women and certain groups such as refugees are also poorly represented both in media content and in the media workforce. Key recommendation No. 4 reads:” The media sector as a whole could make more of an effort to ensure that they serve all of the people living in Jordan, in terms both of giving voice to their perspectives and of providing them with the information they need, and could strive to become a leading sector in terms of equitable employment practices, with a specific focus on ensuring more equal representation of women at all levels of staff.”

The project supported a comprehensive capacity building for 10 local radio stations across the Kingdom, over 140 radio staff and volunteers and the production of joint radio and news shows. The project also established the organizational framework for a network of 7 local radio stations aiming at fostering cooperation and networking among these radios. In the coming phase, UNESCO identified the need to support the institutional set-up and management of the network.

2. Objective The specific objective of the project is to strengthen an enabling regulatory and institutional environment and build the capacity for an independent, quality based media sector serving the entire population.

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3. Purpose of the Assignment

Increased opportunities for local communities to express themselves in the media, and have access to media that is relevant for their day-to-day lives. 1. Duties/Tasks and Expected Output

Outcome Indicators

Local radios (private, community and public) further capacitated to produce and broadcast programmes allowing men, women and youth from the Governorates to express themselves and receive information relevant to their day-to-day lives.

• Number of local radios supported

• Number of radio initiatives established

• Number of capacity building exercises implemented

• Number of radio staff, reporters and volunteers trained

• Number of programmes/shows produced

1. Activities/Deliverables Activities include:

(a) To engage in a productive and results-oriented working relationship with the Local

Radio Network initiative, which includes seven members;

(b) To organize a retreat for the members leading initiative to define the formal

structure of the network and ensure the regularity of the meetings among the

network;

(c) To provide support to the secretariat of the network through;

i. Assessment of the capacity building needs;

ii. Provision to legal and technical assistance to strengthen the institutional

capacity of the network to ensure governance, democracy and

commitment to journalism ethics of the Network in-line with international

practices and national laws;

iii. Expert assistance to ensure effective coordination mechanism are

established;

(d) To provide mentorship and ongoing supervision to the joint production of news and

programs, serving the interest of local communities;

(e) Provision of technical assistance to the local radios to increase the digital presence

and/or tools, including podcasts production;

(f) To facilitate a roundtable discussion between the radio(s) and different

national/local media outlets to discuss potential networking activities and

dissemination of media content and follow up on the recommendations;

(g) To ensure that gender is mainstreamed in the project. Moreover, the organization should explain which strategy will be applied for gender, as per below:

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1. A project that is gender-sensitive: acknowledges basic gender differentials (for example representation of women, men in workshops/activities);

2. A project that is gender-responsive: it goes further to respond to gender-based needs (for example specific reporting on how a subject is lived differently by men and women).

4. Timing

The assignment will commence in November 2017 and end in June 2018 (subject to availability of funds).

5. Reporting

The following are the list of general reports that will be required from the provider during the implementation period:

• Project inception report; • Work plan with detailed activities schedule; • Periodic progress reports (both technical activity reports for training, workshops,

campaigns etc.); • Periodic financial reports; • Final narrative and financial report with supporting documents.

The selected organization will be required to produce independently verifiable narrative and financial reports according to a reporting schedule agreed to by both parties at contracting phase, which includes both progress and periodic reports and a final report. Periodic reports and final report (in a specific template to be provided by UNESCO at the time of contracting) will include annexes and supporting documentation outlined in the report format, and a certified financial report (also in a specific template to be provided by UNESCO at the time of contracting). This reporting must include a detailed financial report with certified copies of vouchers as proof of expenditure. Finally, the organization should describe which measures/tool will be taken to ensure that the reports include gender disaggregated data and information.

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6. Eligibility Criteria

The organization should be a non-for-profit entity with full respect to the following minimum eligibility criteria.

The organization shall ensure following supporting documentation and evidence is part of the technical proposal.

Applying organizations shall not be listed under any global terrorism list.

# Requirement Eligibility criteria

1 Legal status Should be registered as a non-for-profit entity.

Registration documents should be provided

2 Areas of Expertise/ mandate

Areas of expertise: Media development

Strong record of engagement in similar projects in the Middle East, and preferably in Jordan

Broad knowledge of the Jordanian media and the Jordanian journalism landscape

Strong network of national contacts and trainers in the media, and in the field related to radio

3 Working relationship At least one previous project with one of the following entities, preferably in the Middle East and Jordan: Government, UN Organization, EU delegation, Educational institutions, or any similar international development organization.

4 History of similar assignments

At least successful completion of one project in capacity building of the local radios and assistance in developing and implementation of the new radio program formats with the local radios.

Reference letter(s) (in English) from the project owner/contract awarding entity will be required as part of the submission.

5 Working languages English language is a must, in addition to the Arabic language for the Training component

6 Bank account Valid bank account with name of account holder matches the name of institution (i.e. not personal account).

Letter by bank providing bank account information is a must.

7 Not to be listed in the UN 1267 list

The organization (including personnel/experts) shall not be eligible to submit a Proposal if at the time of the submission: The Offeror is listed as suspended on United Nations Global Marketplace (http://www.ungm.org) as a result of having committed fraudulent activities, The organization’s name is mentioned in the UN 1267 list issued by the Security Council resolution 1267 that establishes a sanctions regime to cover individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaida and/or the Taliban; The organization should not be debarred by the World Bank Group, or included in the UNPD Suspended Vendor List.

8 Mandatory documentation/ Supporting documents

- Registration/ incorporation certificate

- Organizational chart of the Offeror

- Organization’s profile/ CV and profile of its key staff

- History of previous projects

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- Relevant reference letters

- Audited financial statement for 2015 and 2016

- Power of attorney

- CVs of proposed Experts and key project personnel

- Submission of a technical proposal and a financial proposal

7. Awarding Criteria

# Technical criteria points

Part One: Institution’s qualifications and expertise: Up to

200 points

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(mandatory/ 25 points) The intuition has a sound structure that ensures a successful undertaking for the work assignment proven by a good profile for the institution and key personnel, flow decision-making process, a well-established financial and administration system, and solid performance during the last three years.

25 points

2 (mandatory/ 25 points) A healthy financial position in 2013 and 2014 proven by null debts and the ownership of fixed assets. 25 points

3 (mandatory/ 50 points) The institution should have relevant technical experience in related professional areas of media development through undertaking at least one project and proven by submitting a supporting document b

50 points

4 (desirable/ 50 points) Documented track record of implementing projects in the MENA region and/or other regions of the world. 50 points

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(desirable/ 25 points) A demonstrated ability to work with government counterparts, civil society organizations, UN affiliated organizations, educational institutes, or any international development/ aid agency (proven through at least by one previous cooperation in form of reference letter)

25 points

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(desirable/ 25 points) Experience in managing funds with a strong financial capacity to support implementation of the project; proven by running at least one project worth more than US$100,000

Proof: Financial audited statements for years 2013 and 2014

25 points

Part Two: Methodology and work plan Up to

300 points

7 (desirable/ up to 45 points) The Institution was able to present a sound strategy and an applicable technical approach that both guarantee a successful implementation for the project.

45 points

8 (desirable/ up to 50 points) A clear work plan; which is relevant to the work assignment and timelines that carefully considers proposition of a reasonable number of project personnel, a detailed listing of proper sequence of activities and reasonable duration.

50 points

9 (desirable/ up to 40 points) The institution considers its own financial capacity to mobilize the project within its own financial resources during the first month of implementation (should be clearly indicated by the institution in the technical proposal)

40 points

10 (desirable/ up to 30 points) The institution is willing to incorporate modern project management techniques and methodologies during the implementation of the project; including project monitoring and control, fully-fledged documentation and reporting

30 points

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procedures. Supporting element: Description of project management methodology and any IT tools.

11 (desirable/ up to 45 points) The institution considered different potential risks may affect timely implementation of project activities and provided an adequate risk mitigation plan. 45 points

12 (desirable/ up to 45 points) The institution considered proper engagement of all project stakeholders and provided a sound communication plan and clear escalation procedures. 45 points

13 (desirable/ up to 45 points) The institution proposed a timely resourcing plan for the project personnel, trainers/ teachers including identification and contracting, facilities, and other project requirements.

45 points

Part Three: Key personnel Up to

200 points

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(mandatory/ up to 200)

The institution was able to propose suitable key candidates for the assignment.

Roles, names, location in organigram, and a detailed CV of each project staff should be provided.

Proven professional track record of the staff to be assigned to the project, supported by adequate documentation of previous projects.

200 points

Total scores for the technical part: 700

Minimum passing score for technical criteria (70%): 490

Financial Proposal Total

300 points

Price proposal submitted by the Organization according to Attachment C Up to 300 points

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Attachment B

Any relevant background information/documents

Media Development Indicators (MDI) report for Jordan:

http://stmjo.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/JordanMDI_EN_small.pdf

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Attachment C

Template for financial proposal submitted by a non-for-profit organization

See separate document

Attachment D

Vendor Form

See separate document