Call for a consultant – Research project on media literacy

RNW Media; Haarlem; In loco; EUR 17.000 - 33.000; Part-time

Descrizione del lavoro

RNW Media is seeking a consultant to lead a research project investigating media literacy methodologies for an EU-funded initiative, focusing on the Libyan media ecosystem with potential additional case studies.

Deliverables will be bilingual (Arabic and English) and include reports and verified collection tools. The assignment runs for seven weeks (May/June–July 2025) and will be conducted remotely from the consultant's base.

Mansioni

• Lead research on media literacy methodologies for an EU-funded project.
• Map the information landscape focusing on Libya and additional case studies.
• Deliver bilingual Arabic and English reports and tools.

Descrizione del lavoro

Call for a consultant –Research project on media literacy

Call for a consultant –Research project on media literacy

In a challenging, international and dynamic environment

RNW Media

Duration of theresearch task: 7 weeks (May/June– July 2025)

Type of contract/partnership: Short-term consultancy (external)

RNW Media Focal Point: Giovana Fleck, Media innovation manager for information integrity and Sana Naqvi, Senior Impact Manager, RNW Media

About this Consultancy RNW Media is seeking a consultant to lead a research project investigating media literacy methodologies for an EU-funded project with a focus on the media ecosystem in Libya. The Libyan information space will be one among other case-studies, from countries to be defined with the consultant.

Language Arabic and English (bilingual deliverables required).

1. INTRODUCTION

RNW Media is an international media development organization based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, dedicated to harness the power of independent digital media to uphold human rights and advance the public good. Working in more than 40 countries across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, West and East Africa, East Asia, Central and South America, we defend media and internet freedom, the right of every human being to access to information and freedom of expression.

With over 75 years of experience, RNW Media has evolved from an international radio broadcaster into a champion of independent digital media. Our work with our partners has demonstrated how a diverse, resilient, and trustworthy digital media ecosystem can inform people, shift narratives, influence social norms, and drive policy change, reinforcing the essential role of independent media in open and democratic societies.

RNTC, the internationally renowned training center of RNW Media, provides journalism and media training to journalists, media makers and communication professionals. Through The Vine, RNW Media’s global community, with more than 25 independent and public interest digital media, 80 media trainers, and 10,000 RNTC alumni, we facilitate media coalition, partnership, and movement building.

2. PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT

The primary purpose of this research project is to identify and evaluate effective media literacy methodologies that can strengthen the resilience of digital media ecosystems against disinformation, propaganda, manipulation and information gaps. The project aims to map the current information landscape in the region, with a specific focus on Libya, to understand how civil society, particularly young people (for this project, we work with an age group between 18 and 35 years) and change-makers, consume, share, and verify information, and how regional dynamics shape information

The findings will serve as a foundational blueprint for RNW Media to design targeted interventions that promote information integrity, uphold human rights, and foster a more transparent, democratic digital space. The scope of the consultancy encompasses a comprehensive exploration of both traditional and online media makers, key stakeholders, and the specific educational gaps within the target regions in media literacy. While Libya serves as a primary case study, the consultant will work with RNW Media to define additional comparative contexts. The research will produce insights into the digital habits of audiences, resulting in bilingual (Arabic and English) deliverables that include reports, verified collection tools, and strategic recommendations.

3. CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY TEAM and DIGITAL CONTEXT ANALYSIS and LEARNING NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The consultancy is open to all qualified consultants. The consultancy project team may constitute one person or a team of experts. In the latter case, the applicants should propose a team specifying team member’s expertise (with the lead being The Consultant).

The consultant is managing the entire process (including but not limited to preparing research protocol, consent/assent forms when and if needed, data collection tools, work schedule, risk assessment, etc.) remotely from a home/work base. RNW Media is not able to support travel in any of the countries covered by this project. While the consultant might have several online consultations with key stakeholders and young people, actual in-country field work can be implemented by local field facilitators (In-Country Facilitators, ICFs) contracted directly by the consultant.

The consultant will agree tasks and timeframe with the ICFs, coordinate their work, be responsible for the quality of the deliverables of ICFs and accept the deliverables of ICFs. Their fees as well as local fieldwork costs will be covered by the consultant and under the consultant’s supervision. Once data is collected, the consultant will organize and cover for their translation into English before submitting them to the