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Consultant for Power Up Comprehensive Study, Pacific Islands

Gender-based violence (GBV) has increased at an alarming rate in countries across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Groups already at the margins of society, including adolescent girls, migrant women, displaced boys, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people living with a disability, have been pushed further to the periphery by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has closed shelters and weakened support systems and services for GBV survivors. The pandemic also gave cover to governments to further reduce freedom of movement and expression, a situation that has not been reversed in many countries since Covid-19 restrictions eased. The suppression of freedom of expression (FOE) more broadly and the decline of FOE are heavily impacting women, girls, and other marginalized groups. While diverse women’s and feminist organizations, networks, and movements are best placed to respond with strategies to end GBV and safeguard FOE, the re-traditionalization of roles, increased care responsibilities for women, and increased cyber-attacks in the wake of Covid-19 has reduced the space for women’s organizing.

The Asia Foundation’s Pacific Island office is looking for an individual, group, or organization to conduct a scoping study of the media landscape in Melanesia—Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands—to identify the key priority areas and gaps around addressing gender-based violence and safeguarding freedom of expression.

The Asia Foundation has designed the two-year Power Up: Strengthening Women’s Coalitions to Address Gender-Based Violence and Safeguard Freedom of Expression program to support the participation and leadership of women human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society activists in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Power Up is intended to strengthen individual women’s organizations and networks, foster connections and collaboration, and amplify the voices, actions, and organizing of women leaders and activists across four areas that social movement researchers have shown to be the most effective levers for change: increased awareness and agency among women, increased access to resources and services for women and girls, changes in harmful gender and social norms, and changes in policies and laws. This approach recognizes change needs to happen in all four areas to be impactful.

Objectives

The comprehensive study should examine:

  • The state of media freedom and freedom of expression relative to human rights
  • The portrayal of women, girls, and diverse identities in media
  • The extent to which the media and human rights defenders operate and work together.
  • The impact of technology on GBV, relative to media
  • The challenges, opportunities, and capacity gaps of media organizations and human rights defenders

This study will be limited to Melanesia: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

The consultant is expected to collect data from media associations and councils and human rights defenders and organizations from the target countries, including but not limited to:

  • Fijian Media Association/Fiji Media Council
  • Media Association of Solomon Islands
  • Media Association of Vanuatu
  • Media Council of Papua New Guinea,
  • Including at least two to four human rights defenders or organizations.

Scope of Work

The consultant’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

  1. Scoping Study
    • Analyzing the policy and institutional media landscape in the target countries, including the operating environment, policy linkages, and indirect advocacy opportunities.
    • Analyzing the media portrayal and representation of women, girls, and diverse identities, especially around gender-based violence issues and freedom of expression.
    • Analyzing the number of women (including diverse identities) working in the media industry and the number that hold leadership positions.
    • Analyzing how technology influences GBV and impacts of media personnel reporting on national, sensitive, and everyday issues.
    • Documenting challenges and benefits experienced by activists and human rights defenders (HRDs) in their collaborations with the media.
    • Evaluating media and HRD training needs, support that is needed, and knowledge and capacity gaps.
  1. Presentation of Findings
    • Presenting updates, findings, and recommendations to Power Up partners during scheduled networking sessions (at least two sessions)

The scoping study will serve as a baseline for assessing the impact of the Power Up program in the Pacific Islands by the end of year two.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to utilize a rigorous and comprehensive methodology, which may include:

  • Desktop and literature review, including and not limited to:
    • Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) State of the Media report,
    • Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Prevalence and Impact of Sexual Harassment on Female Journalists: a Fiji Case Study
    • Reports on freedom of expression and women’s equality, media freedom in the Pacific region
  • Analysis of media content, sample portrayal of women, girls, and diverse identities in Pacific Island media
  • Interviews with key stakeholders
  • Surveys or focus group discussions.

The consultant is expected to ensure ethical considerations, sensitivity to the cultural context, and adherence to ‘do-no-harm’ principles.

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

  • A revised study plan that will further define the approach, methodology, target groups, and timeline – linked to key milestones.
  • A draft report, including an evidence matrix of findings and recommendations for each objective and scope of work.
  • A final report. The report will address any comments or amendments as requested by the Power Up partners and follow a format outlined by The Asia Foundation.
  • Two presentations to Power Up partners—schedule of presentations will be at specific stages of the consultancy.

The Asia Foundation’s Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed below will be performed by Asia Foundation staff:

  • Facilitate introductions to the Power Up partners and media associations.
  • Provide guidance on the report layout.
  • Organize networking sessions for the consultant to present findings and recommendations.

Qualifications

The ideal consultant should possess the following:

  • Demonstrated expertise in gender-sensitive research and human rights in the Pacific.
  • Demonstrated experience in media analysis and an understanding of the media landscapes in the target countries.
  • Demonstrated capacity to write clear and well-constructed reports in accordance with agreed terms of reference and within specified time constraints.  
  • Familiarity with the Pacific Islands context and issues related to women’s representation.
  • Ability to collaborate and coordinate with relevant organizations or authorities to gather information.
  • Experience conducting similar work in the Melanesian Countries is desirable.

Selection Criteria

The selection of the consultant will be based on:

1) Capacity 

  1. An overview of the capacity (individual or organization) to deliver the scope of services. 
  2. Relevant examples and case studies in performing a similar assignment in the Pacific Islands
  3. Identified personnel who will be involved in delivering the services and their relevant experience. 
  4. Sample of previous written work
  5. Preference will be given to Pacific Island individuals and organizations, and qualified candidates from the Pacific Island region are encouraged to apply.

2) Approach 

  1. Description of the proposed approach to scoping study (methodology)
  2. Detailed work plan to deliver the services.  

3) Financial proposal 

  1. A fee structure. 
  2. Proposed milestone payments. 

Timeline

The consultancy is expected to take place between March and May 2024, with key milestones as follows:

  1. Signing of contract (March 2024)
  2. Inception meeting and draft study plan due to the Foundation (March 2024)
  3. Review plan finalized based on feedback (March 2024)
  4. Data collection and analysis (March to April 2024)
  5. Presentation 1 of initial findings to Power Up partners (March to April 2024)
  6. Presentation 2 of findings to Power Up partners (April to May 2024)
  7. Draft report submission (May 1, 2024)
  8. Final report submission (May 14, 2024)

Proposal Submission

Interested consultants are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal, including:

  • Methodological approach
  • Work plan with milestones.
  • Proposed budget (with a breakdown of fees per deliverable and associated costs)
  • CV highlighting relevant experience.
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