Issue Date: 10.29.25

Proposal Due Date: 11.17.25 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time  

Anticipated Award Date: As soon as possible

Location of the consultant: Based in East African countries preferred, remote possible 

Estimated dates of work: up to 30 days, with potential adjustments based on scope.

Competitive Procurement

To Whom It May Concern:

IREX is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to support short-term SAFE operations in East Africa. Project activities may include facilitating trainings, advising on individual risk mitigation strategies, and coordinating workshops tailored to local contexts. The consultant will provide strategic guidance, contribute to reporting, ensure financial compliance, and collaborate with local stakeholders. The remaining time of the project is between 2-5 months. Please note this position is a consultancy-based job with a timeline depending on the needs of the project and funding.

IREX will prioritize local nationals based in East Africa with experience of working in the region and continent on journalist safety or holistic safety issues.

IREX reserves the right to withdrawal this request for proposals at any time up to the award of the contract. 

Proposal Requirements

Individuals interested in providing this service must submit a CV which demonstrates the consultant's experience and capacity to:

• Provide expert guidance and recommendations on project implementation, as agreed in the scope of work;
• Provide guidance on administrative processes relevant to project execution;
• Supervise the writing of, and write, work plans and other project strategy documents;
• Draft complex documents, including program reports and evaluations;
• Ensure high quality project deliverables and results are being met;
• Advise local partners and serve as a technical resource;
• Coordinate with local staff and stakeholders to support project implementation;
• Provide recommendations and proposed solutions to implementation challenges, in consultation with the SAFE DC team;
• Maintain effective relations and coordination with program partners;
• Regularly communicate updates to SAFE DC team;
• Ensure that budgetary guidance is followed;
• Responsible for adhering to organizational policies and funder regulations;
• Participate in skill share with project stakeholders;
• Engage with project stakeholders as needed to support deliverables; and
• Additional tasks may be agreed upon in writing as part of the consultant’s scope of work.

The ideal consultant will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Related fields may include Management, Journalism, Communications, Education, Evaluation and Learning, Business, Finance, Security-related fields, as well as any Sciences or Social Sciences.
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive job experience or a master’s degree and 9 years of experience.
• In-depth knowledge of journalism sector as well as operating environment and media landscape in Africa;
• Proven track record of working effectively with other projects, media and civil society, high-level host country and host government counterparts, and other international partners.
• Must possess the skills to independently manage project components and provide expert-level support.
• Experience conducting trainings, preferably experience training individuals in emergency protocols, risk management, digital security, or psychosocial care;
• Experience interacting and developing relationships with media professionals;
• Experience developing risk assessments, management and mitigation plans for organizations and individuals;
• Ability to travel within East African Countries
• Proficiency in regional languages is highly preferred (e.g. Hausa, Yoruba, Lingala, Swahili, Amharic or Somali).
• English language skills required.
• Effective oral and written communication credentials.
• Strong representational and organizational skills

IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information, including references. Issuing this call does not commit IREX to select any applicant/expert. IREX might select more than one candidate from this call. IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and consultant(s) performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor(s) for a period of up to three years without issuing a new call for applications.  

Proposal Submission Requirements

If you are interested in furnishing this service, please submit a CV to this application. 

If you decide to submit a proposal, it must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date indicated above. Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion. All proposals submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

If you are interested in furnishing this service, please email a CV to sdoroshenko@irex.org that includes your daily rate requirements.

Candidate Evaluation

The criteria are listed in descending order starting with the most important factors to be evaluated.

• Previous experience (40%)
• Qualifications (50%)
• Immediate Start Availability (10%)

Renewal

IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and vendor performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor for a period of up to three years without issuing a new RFP.