Independent Consultant with SEAH and Safeguarding Expertise

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Feasibility study for establishing a support mechanism for survivors of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in the media sector in Sierra Leone BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international charity. We support the independent media essential to democracy and development; and support people facing insecurity, inequality and poverty with information they can trust – to protect health, bridge divides and challenge prejudice. With our partners, we reach millions through creative communication and trusted media, helping people have their say, understand their rights, responsibilities and each other, and take action to transform their own lives.

BBC Media Action leads the PIMHIE (Public Interest Media and Healthy Information Environments) programme, which works to foster robust information ecosystems and strengthen independent media to produce high-quality, trusted journalism. Funded by UK International Development through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), this global initiative focuses on mentoring and training, research and strategic work through our in-country offices and our delivery partners. Together, we aim to combat disinformation, promote gender equality, encourage innovation, support financial viability and local ownership of media outlets, and advance regulatory reforms.

In the context of PIMHIE, BBC Media Action will conduct a feasibility study in Sierra Leone toward the establishment of a support mechanism for journalists who have experienced sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) in newsrooms. In alignment with the country’s National Action Plan (NAP) on media viability which seeks to address gender inequities in the sector, the study will be conducted to engage with stakeholders and present recommendations for piloting a survivor support mechanism by March 2026.

For this, the study will identify local service providers with expertise in different aspects of managing such a support mechanism. The local services that have been identified so far are as follows: - A confidential reporting mechanism for journalists to report SEAH, and case management to oversee triage and referrals for survivors.
- Psycho-social counselling services.
- Careers advice for journalists who may be looking to change their employer.
- Legal advice and support for survivors of SEAH who may want to consider their legal options for current / former employers who fail to protect their staff. This could potentially be expanded to consider class / group actions if appropriate.

As part of the feasibility study, a safeguarding framework and a survivor protection protocol will be developed for use by partner organisations that will offer support services under the mechanism. In addition, the study will include case studies of journalists who have experienced SEAH and their efforts to seek redress, highlighting the barriers that survivors face in reporting cases and in seeking support. BBC Media Action plans to arrange focus groups discussions in partnership with local journalists’ groups to facilitate the development of these case studies.

Findings from the feasibility study and learning from the pilot phase of the survivor support mechanism, along with any other relevant findings and information, will inform the design of a longer-term, holistic SEAH prevention programme for the media sector in Sierra Leone. While the support mechanism will remain at its centre, it is envisaged that the future programme will also include:
- Awareness-raising and training for the wider media sector, in particular for media leaders and sector stakeholders.
- Gender equality policy and sector-led advocacy.
- Institutional strengthening through the development of safeguarding policies, reporting protocols, and relevant training.

The feasibility study will be led by an independent consultant with SEAH and safeguarding expertise, and will be supported by BBC Media Action’s Sierra Leone and Global Media Development teams. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Gender Equality Working Group in Sierra Leone which is tasked with addressing gender inequities in the media industry.

The consultant will also have access to country-specific findings from one of the largest global surveys on sexual harassment in media workplaces that BBC Media Action is currently supporting under PIMHIE. This study, led by WAN-IFRA Women in News in partnership with City, University of London, builds on previous research conducted in 2020 in 20 countries and aims to reassess sexual harassment in diverse media contexts globally, including in Sierra Leone. Whilst this work is expected to be published in early 2026, ongoing analysis will be made available to the consultant, with the understanding that the work in Sierra Leone will be shaped by this evidence.

SUMMARY OF CONSULTANCY:
Period of attachment: January – February 2026.
Total envisaged effort: Approximately 20 to 30 days, depending on what is agreed as part of the selected consultant’s proposed approach.
Reporting to: Project Manager from BBC Media Action’s global media development team.
Location: Up to 15 days in Sierra Leone (including travel days) and up to 15 days of desk-based remote work.

SCOPE OF WORK: With this feasibility study, BBC Media Action aims to develop a blueprint for setting up a safe and independent survivor support mechanism for journalists in Sierra Leone who have been affected by SEAH in the workplace. The consultant will lead on all aspects of research and writing for this study, coordinating with BBC Media Action’s Sierra Leone and Global Media Development teams. The feasibility study is expected to:
• Provide an overview of global good practices in managing survivor-centered support networks for individuals who have faced SEAH in workplaces, with a specific focus on the media sector.
• Propose a detailed framework to establish a safe, confidential and context-sensitive survivor support mechanism for journalists in Sierra Leone.
• Identify suitable local service providers that have proven expertise in survivor services and are willing to extend their services to journalists who have experienced SEAH in newsrooms. BBC Media Action’s Sierra Leone team has identified some local partners who are uniquely placed to provide specific services. For example, Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) is the largest representative body for women journalists and is already supporting its members on a number of SEAH cases.
• Develop a safeguarding framework that is aligned with CAPSEAH principles. This should also involve the development of a detailed survivor protection protocol that will guide the operation of the support mechanism.
• Recommend any other policies that might be developed in the future to ensure adherence to global standards.
• Create a dissemination plan for the study, focusing on outreach to donors that might have a strategic interest in funding the mechanism in Sierra Leone and potentially in other countries.

DELIVERABLES and TIMELINE:
Deliverable: Consultancy induction with Global Media Development and Sierra Leone teams
Responsible: BBC Media Action
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 5-9 January 2026

Deliverable: Regular coordination on progress
Responsible: Consultant
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): January - February 2026

Deliverable: Study outline and structure
Responsible: Consultant
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 16 January

Deliverable:Review and feedback on outline
Responsible: BBC Media Action
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 23 January 2026

Deliverable: Sierra Leone field visit
Responsible: BBC Media Action
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 12-23 January 2026

Deliverable: First draft of feasibility study
Responsible: Consultant
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 9 February 2026

Deliverable: Review and feedback
Responsible: BBC Media Action
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 16 February 2026

Deliverable:Final study submission
Responsible: Consultant
Timeline (to be confirmed with the consultant): 27 February 2026

QUALIFICATIONS: BBC Media Action is open to proposals from individuals who meet the following requirements:

• Thorough understanding of gender-based violence and SEAH in workplace settings, including both in-person and online harassment.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding within the context of international development and the practical application of ‘do no harm’ principles.
• Experience in conducting research with people affected by trauma using a survivor-centred approach.
• Familiarity with the media sector, particularly power dynamics and gender-related imbalances in media organisations and newsrooms in the African context.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into accessible narratives and insights.
• Commitment to inclusive and equitable approaches in liaising with culturally diverse partners and teams.
• Experienced in multi-stakeholder coordination to be able to prioritise and meet deadlines, while remaining flexible in adapting to changing needs.

CONFIDENTIALITY and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY All documents prepared during the assignment will be treated as the Property of BBC Media Action. The documents or any part, therefore, cannot be shared, sold, used and reproduced in any manner without prior written approval of BBC Media Action. Any use of AI for the preparation of documents should be in strict compliance with the BBC’s editorial and AI guidelines, and must be approved by BBC Media Action before its use.

How to apply

HOW TO APPLY
Please send the following information by email to anindita.roy@uk.bbcmediaaction.org before 5pm (GMT) on 16th December:
• Up-to-date CV.
• One-page letter of application that briefly sets out how you would tackle this assignment.
• Two reference contacts from previous employers
• Freelance daily rate in GBP or USD.
BBC Media Action may need to conduct different background checks for the successful candidate, including against proscribed lists issued by the UK government and the European Commission, as well as with local authorities in the country where the candidate is resident. In submitting your application, you are consenting to these checks being carried out by BBC Media Action