Public tender for the provision of online trainings and related training materials for Sudanese journalists

Context
Reporters Without Borders – known internationally as Reporters sans frontières (RSF) – is an independent NGO working globally to promote the freedom, pluralism and independence of journalism. Fighting against censorship and providing support to journalists and media outlets persecuted because of their activities, RSF defends an essential pillar of democracy.
With consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), RSF is an independent organisation based in Paris. Strong with 6 sections abroad, bureaux is 7 cities, 4 representatives and network of correspondents in 130 countries, RSF has a strong potential to mobilise, alert on issues related to the freedom of the press and the protection of journalists and media professionals.

Intervention context
Violations of press freedom and threats to journalists are changing and RSF’s mandate has consequently evolved. The fight led by RSF worldwide aims to ensure greater safety for journalists and other media workers worldwide, and their defenders, both online and offline, through a comprehensive and agile approach, so that they can continue to deliver and produce reliable information to civil society. Many crises threaten the work of journalists and media workers. These crises are multi-faceted, often unplanned, and affect press actors differently depending on the situation and the national, regional, and international context.
According to RSF, a crisis is a serious attack on press freedom that directly threatens the safety of press freedom actors in a country, a region or globally, especially online. RSF’s action concerns press freedom actors who are faced with immediate and direct threats because of their work and who cannot resist the negative consequences by themselves.

In this context, RSF seeks to implement its activities with mitigated security and safety risks, and to provide material support to its collaborators and beneficiaries of its activities. Indeed, the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in dire consequences, particularly for journalists and the civilian population.

Impact on Journalists and Media:

• The war has led to the closure of most media outlets, particularly in Khartoum.
• Around 210 journalists inside Sudan and 90 outside have been displaced.
• Journalists in western Sudan, particularly in Darfur, face severe challenges due to tribal militias and armed groups.
• The fates of many journalists in Darfur remain unknown, making it difficult to establish contact with them.
• Journalists lack protection and the ability to move within conflict areas.
• Independent reporting is scarce, with most information coming from the warring parties.
• Only two Sudanese media outlets, Radio Dabanga and Sudan Bukra TV, continue to operate from outside Sudan.

Violations Targeting Journalists:

• Several journalists have lost their lives, either due to direct attacks or collateral damage.
• Over 33 journalists have been arrested or detained by both sides of the conflict.
• Threats and intimidation have been directed at journalists, with some being forced to stop working.
• Physical assaults have been reported, with instances both inside and outside Khartoum.
• Journalists’ homes have been raided, vandalized, and looted, and their vehicles taken by force.
• The headquarters of media institutions have been attacked and destroyed, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur.
• Authorities in various states have restricted the activities of journalists who have escaped from Khartoum.
• The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a grave humanitarian crisis and has had a devastating impact on the ability of journalists to report on the situation. Journalists have faced severe risks to their safety and freedom, with many violations reported during the conflict.

Expression of needs
Consultants may apply to one or all topics raised :

• Personal Safety including gender-oriented approach
• Digital Safety: Provide cybersecurity training, protective software, and a secure platform for communication (Priority)
• Psychological Safety: Psychosocial support and trauma counselling is crucial for journalists and media workers who survived or report on the war.

Objectives

• Develop a comprehensive Train-the-Trainer Program for Sudanese Journalists on Physical and/or Digital, and/or Psychological Safety.
• Train trainers online on best practices in journalist safety, including preparation for hazardous situations, digital security, and psychological stress management.
• Provide trainers with the tools, skills, materials and knowledge necessary to effectively deliver safety training to other journalists in Sudan
• Elaborate specific training materials (toolkits, tutorials …) for Sudanese journalists (english and arabic version) to be uploaded online, in addition to the materials already available via the training webcenter https://safety.rsf.org/

Duration of the Training
The consultants shall include their training planning proposal in the technical proposal by taking into account the digital constraints (internet connection shortage,…) encountered by Sudanese journalists. The consultant may detail the number and duration of the sessions, details of the main topics raised, format and other modalities on a timeline of activities.

Expected Deliverables

1. Online Training Program: a detailed training program that covers aspects of journalist safety in both physical, digital, and psychological domains. The program should include a comprehensive description of modules, schedules, and learning objectives.

2. Training Materials: a comprehensive set of training materials, including PowerPoint presentations, training modules, case studies, practical exercises, and educational resources for all three safety domains (physical, digital, and psychological). The trainer must create interactive practical exercises to enhance participants’ skills in journalist safety. These exercises should be tailored to each safety domain.

3. Trainer’s Manual: a comprehensive trainer’s manual that will serve as a guide for future training. The manual should contain detailed information on journalist safety and guidelines for conducting training. Materials shall be web friendly as they will be used to constitute the webcentre contents (dedicated to journalists in the region).

4. Participant Assessment: individual documented follow-up of the participants, signed lists of participants, evaluation forms filled for all trainees including assessment tools to measure participants’ understanding and their ability to deliver journalist safety training. This may include quizzes, practical exercises, and skills assessments.

5. Final report : final review of the action plan, the results obtained, the participant assessment, the training reports compiled and analysed to produce clear conclusions and recommendations for next actions to undertake (mid-long term support to Sudanese Journalists).

Training Modalities

The Train-the-Trainer program will be conducted in remote (online format) for security reasons. The consultant shall employ a participatory and interactive approach to ensure a deep understanding of safety concepts online.