Consultant – Establishment of a Community Radio in Afar Region

Location: Addis Ababa, Sifra and Semera, Afar Region and other places as required, Ethiopia

Organization: MERSA Media Institute

Deadline: February 18, 2026

Job Description

• Duration: Three (3) months – Expected start date: February 21, 2026
• Employment Type: Contract.

Organizational Profile

MERSA Media Institute (MMI) is implementing the project titled “Laying the Groundwork for Peace and Democratization through Media Innovation, Civic Partnership, and Engagement.” The project aims to strengthen the capacity of partner organizations and emerging civil society actors by providing technical, legal, and operational support to enhance their institutional sustainability and compliance.

As part of this initiative, MMI is supporting the establishment of a Community Radio in Afar, a new community-based civil society organization (CSO). The support includes legal registration, technical structuring, governance design, business planning, and licensing compliance.

Position Summary

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical, legal, and organizational support for the successful establishment, licensing, and operational readiness of the Community Radio.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate and coordinate a technical committee visit to assess antenna location and infrastructure.
• Identify required broadcasting equipment and provide a written technical assessment report.
• Develop and finalize a comprehensive business plan.
• Prepare a technical proposal for submission to the Ethiopian Media Authority and ensure compliance with licensing standards.
• Integrate and adapt editorial policy into the proposal.
• Collaborate with MMI in designing radio programming structure aligned with community needs.
• Provide legal recommendations to strengthen governance and accountability.
• Support registration processes including TIN acquisition and bank account setup.
• Support planning and coordination of a fundraising event and community engagement efforts.
• Submit a final consultancy completion report.

Deliverables

• Technical Assessment Report
• Comprehensive Business Plan
• Technical Proposal submitted to Ethiopian Media Authority
• Integrated Editorial Policy
• Governance & Legal Compliance Recommendations
• Fundraising & Community Engagement Report
• Final Consultancy Completion Report.

Requirements

• Proven experience in media development, particularly community radio establishment.
• Experience drafting business plans and technical proposals for media licensing.
• Knowledge of Ethiopian media law and CSO regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in governance structuring and institutional development.
• Strong report writing and documentation skills.
• Experience working with civil society organizations is an asset.

Reporting Line

The Consultant will report to the Project Manager and the Executive Director of MERSA Media Institute.

Payment and Budget

The consultancy fee is set as per the budget line of the activity. Payment will be made upon satisfactory submission and approval of all deliverables. Applicable withholding taxes will be deducted as per Ethiopian law.

How to Apply

Application Requirements

Please send the following documents to: recruitment@mersamedia.org by Feb 17, 2026:

• Updated CV
• Technical proposal (A one page plan on how to implement it)
• Financial proposal (daily rate in USD) along with evidence of payment on any prior engagements.
• Copy of valid trade license and TIN (if applicable)