The Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) is a leading provider of multimedia humanitarian news and analysis (www.IRINnews.org). IRIN is presently seeking applications from Kenyan nationals for the following positions:

Terms of Reference: Evaluation of IRIN Radio northern Uganda project

Background

IRIN initiated radio activities in northern Uganda in response to requests from UN OCHA and donors to collaborate in ongoing efforts to support the Juba peace process. The primary objectives of the IRIN radio project are to increase the quantity and quality of humanitarian information available to listeners in the north, and to build capacity among local radios so they better serve their communities. The project has supported activities primarily in the districts of Gulu, Lira and Apac. It has worked with radio stations, local reporters, women’s groups, internally displaced communities, among others.

Purpose

As part of its commitment to the donor, the German government, and for the purposes of its own internal monitoring and evaluation, IRIN wishes to commission an independent evaluation of the project, which is due to wind up by 1st September 2008. The evaluation may help to shape IRIN’s planning of future radio interventions and activities.

Scope and Methodology

The review will assess the extent to which the project fulfilled its stated objectives in providing information in support of the peace process to local communities, and building capacity to enable local radios to better serve their communities. It should also assess the extent to which the project’s outputs had a role in informing a wider international audience.

The evaluator will look at the project’s approach and methodology, and judge the innovativeness and efficacy of the chosen activities and the way they have been developed. S/he will assess the way the project complemented and/or interacted with other concurrent media projects in the north. The review should quantify the outputs and results achieved, and through qualitative analysis seek to estimate the impact the project has had on key beneficiaries. The evaluator should also evaluate the extent to which the activities have elements of sustainability for the future. Finally, the evaluator will make any relevant suggestions or recommendations that may become “lessons learned” for future IRIN planning.

The evaluator will visit and interview project partners in Gulu, Lira, Apac and Kitgum, including radio stations, IDP groups, women’s groups, and bicycle reporters; sample the views of local listeners through focus group sessions; review documentation and programming; interview project personnel and any other relevant persons.

Deliverables

A Final Report in clear, concise English, structured with sections on: Approach & Methodology, Activities, Media background and other players, Outputs and Results, Impact Analysis, Sustainability, Summary of Findings, Recommendations, Annexes.
The evaluator will present a debriefing to IRIN management in Nairobi on the key findings and recommendations in the report.

Time Frame

The evaluation will place during a 10-14 day period during July, with a view to presenting a draft report by 1st August 2008 latest.

Qualifications

The evaluator will have a strong local radio background, familiarity with humanitarian issues and organizations in the East Africa region, and a sound knowledge of northern Uganda. Local language skills will be an advantage.

Applications

Suitably qualified applicants should send their CV, with a brief proposal outlining the review plan, to:

Louise Tunbridge, IRIN Radio Coordinator, Nairobi, Kenya


Closing date for applications: 26 May 2008

Intern, Dakar (re-Advertisement):
IRIN West Africa is seeking a well-motivated intern with a background in journalism and possibly humanitarian issues, strong research and writing skills, to be attached to the English service of IRIN Dakar office, covering West Africa. Fluency in French is also required.
Contact:

Internship: IRIN has an exciting new internship opportunity at its Nairobi headquarters for a creative and dynamic graphic designer to produce maps, graphs, charts, Flash animations and interactives for online publication. An ability to translate numbers and tables into eye-catching and high-impact maps and visuals in a small format is a must, as is a high degree of proficiency in Illustrator, Flash or equivalent software tools.
Contact with "Graphics" in the subject line with a CV and links to examples of recent online work.

Freelancers: IRIN is interested in hearing from experienced journalists with excellent writing skills and creative ideas who are interested in contributing to IRIN.

In order to be considered, please send us your CV with a covering note, which must include some story ideas suitable for IRIN's specialist humanitarian subject area.
Mail us at . Expressions of interest from Francophone countries may be sent in French. We'll get back in touch only if we feel there's a good fit.

Currently (January 2008), we are particularly looking for stringers in the current locations: Algeria, Angola, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Gaza City, Geneva, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, northern Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, New York, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan (Khartoum and South Sudan) Syria, Vietnam, Washington DC, Western Sahara, Yemen and Zanzibar.