Position Summary:

Under an upcoming activity, the USAID/NERI program is seeking to provide technical assistance to support the Borno State government (BOSG) to establish four (04) community radio stations across the regions of the State. By supporting community radio stations to provide relevant content in local dialects, NERI is seeking to reach communities currently unreached by radio programming. This will further contribute significantly in the effort to scale up efforts of the BOSG to reach their citizens through media, and continue to create a niche for itself in the battle against the insurgents as well as emerging threats in the Northeast.

State radio stations, under threat of violence, have seen their FM footprint and talent pool significantly reduced. Financial constraints prevent them from purchasing or replacing equipment and employing and training new staff. Under this consultancy, NERI seeks to hire a community radio expert to provide technical assistance to the Borno State Ministry for Home Affairs, Information, and Culture. The STTA will be responsible for a) conducting reviews of the existing investment in media infrastructure in Borno State, and b) Assisting with the development of a workable strategy for the State Government to deploy their aspiration to cover most parts of the State and reach people with information in a timely manner. NERI proposes the establishment of four (04) community FM radios across the Borno State and the STTA is to carefully articulate a coverage plan taking into cognizance peculiar socio-cultural and political sensitivities.

The STTA will also be responsible for strengthening the linkages of Dandal Kura (a Kanuri language radio program) with the proposed community FM radios as repeater stations across Borno State, and offer recommendations on how these will coordinate well to effectively advance and achieve the overall program goal in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. The STTA will take the lead in the design and articulation of how to make connections for the community FM radio stations to contribute to the implementation of NERI media activities in the NE, and provide technical assistance to the grantee in managing set-up commitments, content generation and ensuring sustainability.

Reporting & Supervision:

This position reports to NERI’s Chief of Party in Abuja.

Deliverables:

1. Monthly Report/Updates on activities of STTA when deployed.
2. Report of reviews with management of awardee on the prospects, set-up, equipping and sustainability of the proposed community FM radio stations. This should include plans for locally-sourced content development.
3. Practical management structure for proposed community FM radio stations.
4. A detailed coverage plan with justifications, maps and coordinates of possible locations for the proposed community FM radio stations.
5. Menu of options, investment plan and recommendations. The primary audience for this will be the Ministry; the secondary office will be NERI.
6. Submitted and approved final report that presents overall outcomes of assignment and identified opportunities for further engagement.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Closely work with the relevant staff and management of the Borno State Ministry for Home Affairs, Information and Culture as primary point of engagement while deployed in the field.
• Participate in the process to objectively identify the locations for establishment of the proposed community FM radio stations.
• Conduct a review and develop a framework for setting up, management and sustainability of the four (4) proposed community FM radio stations.
• Undertake regular on-site monitoring visits to other existing media establishments in Borno for learning and practice that will support delivery on this assignment.
• Propose for NERI’s approval a draft signal coverage plan with justifications of identified catchment areas.
• Support awardee to critically think through their aspiration and offer a draft resource investment plan for the establishment of the community FM radio stations.

Timeline:

• This assignment is expected to last for 04 months – with July/August 2017 expected start date

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Practical experience in setting up and managing the establishment community FM radio stations in post-conflict settings is a strong requirement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage culturally diverse groups in developing countries, preferably in West Africa.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to manage social and political sensitivities in a culturally diverse team.
• Excellent communications skills and time management abilities.
• Computer literate in Excel and Word.
• Higher education degree in humanities, social science, peace building, creative writing or similar field of study considerable experience in-lieu of qualification.
• Fluency in English required.
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant experience.
• Willingness to travel within Borno State (security to be provided by NERI program)