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.

To respond directly to the practical sustainability challenges facing Ethiopian media houses, the Fellowship includes a dedicated component on Media Viability and Business Resilience. This component helps participating organizations strengthen their business models, improve financial planning, explore realistic revenue opportunities, and build stronger institutional systems for long-term resilience. This Terms of Reference seeks to engage a lead thematic trainer/consultant to design and deliver this essential business management track.

II. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified thematic trainer/consultant to develop and facilitate a practical learning package on Media Viability and Business Resilience for selected media houses under the AMIRP Media Fellowship.

The assignment aims to help participating media organizations assess their current business and sustainability challenges, identify realistic opportunities for revenue diversification, strengthen internal business planning practices, and improve their overall institutional resilience. The module will support media managers, editors, and key commercial staff to transition from general theory to practical, actionable organizational restructuring.

III. Scope of Work

The lead thematic trainer/consultant will be expected to:

  • Review program frameworks and needs assessments to analyze viability gaps across participating media houses, accounting for differences in media type, size, maturity, and current business models.
  • Design a practical Media Viability and Business Resilience module for two Fellowship cohorts, incorporating customized exercises, assignments, templates, tools, and clear guidance notes.
  • Develop actionable templates that support institutional planning, strategic business development, and outlet-level consultancy processes.
  • Conduct a Train-of-Trainers (ToT) for local assistant trainers and co-facilitate sessions with them to optimize engagement and instructional delivery.
  • Provide targeted follow-up support to selected media houses, including online clinics, strategic business feedback, and technical inputs into implementation plans.
  • Document structural outcomes, key lessons learned, and institutional recommendations for future iterations of the fellowship.

IV. Expected Deliverables

  • An inception note outlining the proposed approach, operational methodology, timeline, and localized curriculum adaptations.
  • Practical training modules, slidedecks, handouts, revenue planning templates, business model frameworks, and case examples.
  • A brief ToT plan accompanied by clear facilitation guidelines for local assistant trainers.
  • Execution of agreed workshops, interactive masterclasses, or business development clinics.
  • Direct advisory support to fellowship media houses, including business plan evaluations and outlet-level institutional planning support.
  • A concise, analytical report following each cohort, detailing participant engagement, operational challenges, and strategic lessons learned.

V. Duration and Level of Effort

The assignment is scheduled to run during the AMIRP Fellowship implementation cycle from August 2026 to June 2028, with specific timelines coordinated directly with OMNI Ethiopia. The estimated level of effort is 20–30 working days, with final parameters established during the contracting phase.

VI. Eligibility Criteria

  • Substantial professional experience in media viability, media business development, corporate resilience, media management, or related institutional advisory fields.
  • Deep understanding of the Ethiopian media ecosystem, specifically regarding financial constraints, regulatory hurdles, revenue generation, and long-term sustainability challenges.
  • Proven track record in structuring and conducting hands-on training, consulting, or executive coaching for media executives, commercial directors, or senior editors.
  • Strong strategic facilitation, written communication, and reporting skills, with complete professional fluency in English (Amharic proficiency is a significant asset).
  • Required Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, decisive decision-making, corporate communication, high attention to detail, and problem-solving.

How To Apply

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

  1. Cover letter expressing interest and suitability for the assignment.
  2. Updated CV or organizational profile.
  3. Examples of similar previous work, where available.
  4. Brief technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology.
  5. 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 – Media Viability and Business Resilience”.

Application Deadline: July 16, 2026