Tender Description

Conflict-Sensitive Journalism Training for Somali Media Professionals

Strengthening Ethical Reporting and Peacebuilding Through Responsible Journalism

Are you a journalist or media professional committed to promoting accurate, balanced, and conflict-sensitive reporting in Somalia?

Who We Are

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We believe in the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and support people in understanding their rights. Our aim is to inform, connect and empower people around the world.

BBC Media Action, in partnership with UNDP Somalia, invites applications from journalists and media professionals across Somalia to participate in an intensive Conflict-Sensitive Journalism Training and Mentoring Program aimed at strengthening ethical reporting, countering misinformation, and enhancing the media's role in promoting peace, social cohesion, and informed public discourse.

About the Program

BBC Media Action and UNDP Somalia are implementing a Conflict-Sensitive Journalism Training Program targeting mid-career Somali journalists from the Federal Member States of Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, South West State, and Banadir Region.

The program will support journalists to strengthen their professional skills and develop content that contributes to peacebuilding, reconciliation, accountability, and informed citizen engagement.

A total of 120 journalists will participate in the program, with 20 journalists selected from each training location and a target of at least 50% women participants.

Training and mentorship activities will be conducted separately within each Federal Member State and Banadir Region.

Training Schedule (Tentative)

What Participants Will Learn

The program will equip journalists with practical knowledge and skills to:

• Understand the principles and practice of conflict-sensitive journalism.
• Report on conflict, crises, and sensitive issues ethically and responsibly.
• Identify and counter misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
• Produce balanced, accurate, inclusive, and evidence-based reporting.
• Apply professional standards and ethical journalism principles.
• Report effectively on peacebuilding, reconciliation, governance, and social cohesion initiatives.
• Use practical tools to analyze conflict dynamics and understand their impact on media reporting.
• Strengthen personal safety and risk awareness when covering conflict-related stories.

Selected participants will also have opportunities to access mentoring, peer-learning networks, and professional development resources.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from media professionals currently working in Somalia, including:

• Print journalists (newspapers and magazines)
• Radio journalists and producers
• Television reporters, producers, and presenters
• Online journalists and digital media practitioners
• Social media content creators and media influencers
• Editors and newsroom managers
• Independent and freelance journalists

Applications are encouraged from professionals working in:

• Government-owned media outlets
• Private media organizations
• Community media organizations
• Independent and freelance media platforms

Women journalists, young media professionals, and journalists from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be actively working in the media sector in Somalia.
• Have a minimum of one year of journalism or media experience.
• Demonstrate interest in ethical, responsible, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
• Be available to participate fully in the training and mentoring program.
• Commit to applying the acquired skills in their professional work.
• Be available to attend the whole of the training workshop
• If selected for mentoring be committed to producing conflict sensitive stories.
• Be based in or primarily working within the Federal Member State or region for which they are applying.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A brief cover letter or statement of interest (maximum 300 words) in Somali
• Two samples of recent journalism work (articles, audio, video, digital stories, or social media content)
• Confirmation that you have permission from your editor to attend the training course, participate in the mentoring (if selected) and willingness to broadcast/publish conflict sensitive stories produced after the training.

Skills Required

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