Call for Tender: Syrian Media Expert Consultants The International Fund for Public Interest Media
Ad hoc consultancy roster
About the International Fund
The International Fund for Public Interest Media is a multilateral fund dedicated to supporting and financing independent journalism. The International Fund provides core grants to media outlets and develops strategic partnerships to develop new solutions and create lasting change to support public interest information where the need is greatest. We operate in low and middle-income markets across four regions: Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.
About the Tender
The Fund is inviting applications from experienced Syrian media experts to join a consultancy roster providing demand-driven advisory support across its Syria grantmaking programme. We are looking to appoint a small number of consultants ( 1-2) to draw on flexibly according to expertise, availability, and need. The total volume of work across the roster is estimated at up to 30 days per year, with individual allocations varying depending on the nature of each assignment and the expertise required.
All consultants will be expected to maintain strict objectivity and independence in all advisory work, including in relation to individual media organisations and actors in the Syrian media ecosystem.
Scope of Work
Grantmaking support
Support outreach to eligible media organisations as part of the Fund's call for proposals
Provide contextual input to the eligibility screening and due diligence process, including assessments of individual organisations' editorial independence, reputation, and standing within the sector
Support the Fund in identifying and engaging independent jurors with relevant expertise
Ecosystem engagement and coordination
Support the Fund's engagement with Syrian media networks, professional associations, and reform processes
Facilitate connections between the Fund and relevant actors inside Syria
Provide advisory input to the Fund's system-level activities, including the media sustainability convening and quarterly coordination mechanism
Landscape and sector intelligence
Provide up-to-date analysis of the Syrian media landscape, including emerging developments in the regulatory environment, funding dynamics, and the operating conditions facing independent media
Advise on key actors, networks, and relationships within the Syrian media ecosystem, including inside Syria
Flag risks, opportunities, and contextual developments relevant to the Fund's portfolio and strategy
Person Specification
Deep knowledge of the Syrian media landscape, including independent media, and the ecosystem of support organisations
Strong network with Syrian media actors and journalists
Background in journalism, media development, or a closely related field
Direct understanding of the operational, financial, and editorial challenges facing independent Syrian media organisations
Demonstrable objectivity and independence — no current editorial, governance, or financial relationships with Syrian media organisations
Fluency in Arabic essential; English proficiency required
Ability to work flexibly on an ad hoc basis and respond to time-sensitive requests
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
Knowledge of the Syrian media landscape — depth and currency of knowledge of the Syrian media ecosystem, including independent media, state and regional actors, and the broader support environment
Relationships and networks — strength of existing relationships with Syrian media actors, journalists, and relevant organisations, including inside Syria
Professional track record — relevant background in journalism, media development, or a closely related field, and evidence of relevant advisory or analytical work
Objectivity and independence — demonstrated approach to maintaining impartiality, including disclosure of any current or recent relationships with organisations likely to be active in the Syrian media funding space
Value for money — the proposed day rate in relation to the expertise and experience offered
The Fund reserves the right to appoint one or more consultants to the roster depending on the quality and complementarity of applications received. Work will be allocated across the roster according to expertise and need; individual consultants should not assume a guaranteed minimum volume of work.
Contract Details
Ad hoc consultancy roster, with a total estimated volume of up to 30 days per year across all appointed consultants
Assignments will be allocated according to expertise, availability, and the requirements of each piece of work
Remote, with availability for occasional travel to the region as needed
All consultants will be required to complete a conflict of interest declaration prior to commencing work and to update this declaration on a regular basis
How to Apply
Please submit the following to Priscilla Sekyiwah Afful ([email protected]) by 29 May 2025:
A CV
A brief cover note explaining your relevant experience and your approach to maintaining objectivity and independence in advisory work of this kind
Your proposed day rate
Apply To This Job