Terms of Reference: AMIRP Media Fellowship – Thematic Trainer / Consultant (Digital Transformation and Responsible AI in Journalism)

Location Type: Office-based (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Employment Type: Full-time Consultancy

Career Level: Mid-Level (3–5 years of relevant experience)

Application Deadline: July 16, 2026

Number of Positions: 1

I. Background

The African Media Integrity & Resilience Program (AMIRP) is a multi-year initiative implemented from 2026 to 2028 to strengthen the capacity, independence, integrity, and sustainability of media organizations in Ethiopia. The program contributes to improving access to reliable information, promoting public accountability, and supporting inclusive civic engagement.

Funded by the European Union (EU), coordinated by International Media Support (IMS), and implemented by OMNI Ethiopia in partnership with DW Akademie and other partners, AMIRP supports public interest media through a structured Media Fellowship. Selected media houses across television, radio, print, and digital platforms benefit from training, practical application, tools, tailored consultancy support, mentorship, and follow-up guidance.

As media organizations continue to adapt to changing audience behavior, digital platforms, emerging technologies, and the growing use of artificial intelligence, the Fellowship includes a dedicated component on Digital Transformation and Responsible AI in Journalism. This component helps participating media houses strengthen their digital workflows, improve audience engagement, explore practical digital tools, and apply AI responsibly, ethically, and safely within newsrooms and organizational contexts. This Terms of Reference seeks to engage a lead thematic trainer/consultant to design and deliver this vital component.

II. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified thematic trainer/consultant to design and facilitate a practical learning package on Digital Transformation and Responsible AI in Journalism for selected media houses under the AMIRP Media Fellowship.

The assignment aims to support participating media organizations to assess their digital readiness, identify opportunities for digital innovation, strengthen newsroom and organizational workflows, and explore responsible uses of AI in journalism, content production, audience engagement, and media management. The consultant will design and deliver context-relevant training sessions, practical tools, assignments, and follow-up guidance grounded in the Ethiopian media context.

III. Scope of Work

The lead thematic trainer/consultant will be expected to:

Review relevant program documents, including needs assessment findings and application responses, to analyze digital transformation and responsible AI needs across participating media houses.
Design a practical Digital Transformation and Responsible AI in Journalism module for two Fellowship cohorts, including exercises, assignments, templates, tools, and guidance notes tailored to the Ethiopian media context.
Develop practical assignments and thematic outputs that support digital workflow improvement, audience engagement, innovation, responsible AI use, and outlet-level consultancy processes.
Coordinate with relevant program colleagues to ensure the curriculum complements existing digital and AI-related tools, including the AI Sandbox where applicable.
Conduct a Train-of-Trainers (ToT) for assistant trainers and co-facilitate sessions with them to strengthen facilitation, follow-up, and participant engagement.
Provide limited follow-up support to selected media houses, including online clinics, assignment feedback, and technical guidance, and contribute to outlet-level digital transformation and responsible AI implementation plans.
Document key learning, participant engagement, lessons learned, and recommendations for future Fellowship cycles.

IV. Expected Deliverables

An inception note outlining the proposed approach, methodology, work plan, timeline, and adaptation of the module.
Practical modules, slides, handouts, exercises, assignments, case examples, digital workflow tools, and responsible AI guidance.
A brief ToT plan with facilitation notes and guidance materials for assistant trainers.
Delivery of agreed training sessions, workshops, masterclasses, or clinics for the relevant Fellowship cohorts.
Limited technical support to participating media houses, including assignment reviews and outlet-level planning support.
A short report after each cohort summarizing delivery, participant engagement, key observations, lessons learned, challenges, and recommendations.

V. Duration and Level of Effort

The assignment will take place during the AMIRP Fellowship implementation period, from August 2026 to June 2028, with exact dates to be agreed upon with OMNI Ethiopia. The estimated level of effort is 20–30 working days, with the final number of days to be agreed during contracting based on the Fellowship schedule and delivery format.

VI. Eligibility Criteria

Relevant experience in digital transformation, digital media, newsroom innovation, responsible AI, media technology, or related fields.
Good understanding of the Ethiopian media context, including challenges related to digital readiness, audience engagement, platform use, innovation, and responsible technology adoption.
Experience designing and delivering practical training, coaching, or technical support for media organizations, journalists, editors, managers, or digital teams.
Strong facilitation, communication, and reporting skills, with fluency in English (knowledge of Amharic and/or other Ethiopian languages is an added advantage).
Required Skills: Decision-making, communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents combined into one single PDF file:

Cover letter expressing interest and suitability for the assignment.
Updated CV or organizational profile.
Examples of similar previous work, where available.
Brief technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology.
Financial proposal indicating daily rate and estimated number of days, inclusive of applicable taxes.

Please submit your application electronically to info@omniethiopia.org and copy Yodit.bayissaa@gmail.com with the exact subject line: “AMIRP Fellowship Application – Digital Transformation and Responsible AI”.