Call for Expression of Interest: International Learning Expert & Researcher at International Media Support (IMS)

(Long-Term / Part-Time Consultancy)

Location: Remote (with travel to Sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Ethiopia, Central African Republic)

Organization: International Media Support (IMS)

Programme: African Media Integrity & Resilience Programme (AMIRP)

Contract Type: Consultancy / Part-Time

Fee Range: €43,000 – €53,000 EUR (Travel & local research support covered separately)

Application Deadline: August 16, 2026 (Midnight CET)

About the Role

International Media Support (IMS) is seeking a qualified International Learning Expert & Researcher to lead the research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) component of the African Media Integrity & Resilience Programme (AMIRP).

Funded by the European Union, AMIRP is a 30-month initiative (January 2026 – June 2028) operating across Ghana, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic (CAR). The programme aims to build independent, sustainable, and resilient media ecosystems capable of countering mis- and disinformation.

As the primary Learning Expert, you will design research frameworks, synthesize programmatic learnings, facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops, and produce high-impact knowledge products for international development and media actors.

Key Responsibilities

Research Design & Frameworks: Develop and implement robust research, MEL, and learning methodologies tailored to media viability, journalists’ safety, public interest content, and enabling environments.
Work Planning & Technical Guidance: Formulate action plans, define roles, and provide technical quality assurance for data collection and analysis alongside local research assistants and MEL teams.
Outcome Research: Investigate programmatic outcomes across the four main work areas to evaluate how quality public interest journalism contributes to countering disinformation.
Facilitation & Knowledge Exchange: Lead online webinars (3+) and in-country learning workshops (2 per country) to synthesize findings and encourage cross-country learning.
Knowledge Product Creation: Produce, quality-assure, and publish 6+ knowledge products (analytical briefs, synthesis reports, and research papers) tailored for donor and practitioner audiences.
Strategic Recommendations: Deliver actionable insights and document best practices to inform future media development initiatives and donor strategies.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education: PhD or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Journalism/Media Studies, Communication, Education/Adult Learning, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in research, learning, and Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) within international development or media programmes.
Regional Expertise: Proven experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa or comparable development contexts.
Language Skills: Excellent written and spoken English (required) and fluency in French (required).

Key Competencies

Proven track record in multi-country initiatives involving diverse civil society and media stakeholders.
Experience applying mixed-method (qualitative & quantitative) learning frameworks across different socio-political contexts.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex programme data into strategic research findings rather than purely evaluative reports.
Strong workshop facilitation skills in multi-lingual settings (English and French).
Expertise in at least one key domain: media development, media viability/sustainability, journalists’ safety, media policy, or mis/disinformation.

Compensation & Working Conditions

Consultancy Fee: €43,000 – €53,000 EUR (covers professional fees).
Expenses: Travel, subsistence, and ground event costs are reimbursed/covered directly by IMS and consortium partners.
Support: Local research assistants and M&E support are funded separately by IMS.
Start Date: By November 1, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must visit: >> IMS Application Portal for details & to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) electronically by August 16, 2026 (Midnight CET).

Your submission must include:

Technical Proposal: Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Proposed Method of Work (maximum 5 pages).
Financial Proposal: Total budget in EUR including consultancy fee and breakdown of anticipated expenses.

Shortlisted candidates will receive a Request for Tender (RFT) with full Terms of Reference by August 28, 2026.

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