Investigative Journalism Training Draft Scope of Work (SOW).docx

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U.S. Embassy Program Strategic Goals and Objectives

The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, announces an Open Competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that will train regional journalists in investigative journalism specific to combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and illicit trafficking of humans, wildlife and forestry products.

This funding opportunity aligns with State-USAID Joint Regional Strategy (JRS) for Africa Objective 3.2, to “promote and protect fundamental human rights for all people, including marginalized populations by improving equality and inclusion to advance human rights, bolster civil society capacity, and support independent and professional media,” and Objective 4.2, to “accelerate equitable, inclusive, and accessible actions to address the climate crisis, build the capacity to adapt, and foster resilience to climate related environmental changes.” It also supports the U.S. Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa’s aim to Foster Open Societies by working “with African governments, civil society, and publics to increase transparency and accountability, including by supporting investigative journalism, combating digital authoritarianism, and enshrining laws, reforms, and practices that promote shared democratic norms.”

U.S. Embassy Darkar’s goal is to help foster greater public awareness of IUU Fishing and illicit trafficking that degrade livelihoods of coastal communities and ecosystems and impede local participation in and the development of related commercial sectors and promote respect for the rule of law. This program aligns with the Mission Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) Goal to Strengthen maritime law enforcement capacity, enhance maritime domain awareness, and counter illicit transnational maritime activities consistent with international law. Furthermore, this aligns with strategic goals under the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (SAFE) Act which provides a whole-of-government approach to counter IUU fishing and related threats to maritime security.

Overall, grant-making authority for this project is contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

The West African subregion that includes Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal is an epicenter for IUU fishing. In addition, the West African subregion is increasingly suffering from continued illicit trafficking of humans, wildlife and forestry products. Multiple actors are contributing to mounting challenges to the region’s artisanal fishing and forest communities. IUU fishing is depleting the availability of fish resources for local economic actors particularly among women and youth, severely degrading marine ecology, and the region’s ability to develop its blue economy. Similar impacts are affecting forest communities where criminal actors supply illicit timber and wildlife, demand for which is partly tied to foreign interests. Global enterprises have also engaged in human trafficking in the region. Together, these dynamics exacerbate current high unemployment, contribute to migration, and inhibit governments from developing existing and future economic activities that would directly benefit citizens.

While countries in the West African subregion face challenges in monitoring their coastal waters, they are somewhat capable of interdicting vessels and actors engaging in suspicious or illegal activity in their waters and forests. U.S. Embassy Dakar has identified three specific local challenges contributing to IUU fishing and trafficking in the region. In many cases foreign actors can take advantage of legal loopholes to obtain and operate under locally flagged ships and thus go undetected by authorities. Interlocutors suspect a network of local officials and businesses collaborate to facilitate the provision of local flags for vessels which allow foreign companies to engage in IUU fishing without recourse. The general population is unaware of the presence and acute negative impact IUU fishing and illicit trafficking have on the present economy and the associated impediments to economic growth. While civil society and fishing associations are aware of the dangers, the lack of general public awareness reduces pressure to motivate governments to implement necessary laws and policies and to dismantle corrupt networks. Local fishing association representatives have noted that few judges are trained in maritime law. Judicial systems’ limited capacity and ability to process cases contribute to continued illegal activity. As a result, IUU fishing cases rarely proceed to litigation that would result in the prosecution of malign actors and dismantling of networks.

Led by U.S. Embassy Dakar, this funding opportunity will be a new project for the West African subregion.

Projects should be designed to achieve the following:

Objective 1: Provide journalists an in-depth understanding of the impact and trends related to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and the illicit trafficking of humans, wildlife and forestry products.

Objective 2: Provide journalists techniques and best practices to publish or produce written or audio-visual products as well as effective methods to release information.

Projects should provide the necessary skills and techniques that will improve the knowledge of these issues and tradecraft of journalists to report on them. Journalists should become empowered and use the knowledge acquired in the training to publish or produce, by their own volition, written or audio-visual products that uncover IUU fishing and illicit trafficking to create public awareness, expose networks and reveal malign actors.

Applicant Project Objective 1: XXX

Objectives of the project should be SMART:

· Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved

· Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success

· Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained give the available resources

· Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate within the country or beneficiary audience

· Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the project

Activities To achieve the goals and expected results, the project should include the following: insert activities/suggested actions here:

· Train journalists in investigative journalism in Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and the illicit trafficking of humans, wildlife and forestry products.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

To achieve the goals and expected results, the program could include the following: insert activities/suggested actions here:

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Expected Results Specific results could include the following:

· Journalists will have a thorough understanding of the various conditions, such as legal frameworks, loopholes, corrupt practices, and clandestine activity that facilitate IUU fishing and illicit trafficking.

· Journalists will understand the various markets for traffickers.

· Journalists will understand common actors in West Africa.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Performance Indicators

· The number of participants trained on IUU fishing and illicit trafficking activities.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Inputs (resource and time requirements):

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Outputs (actions completed and/or items produced):

· Participants trained on IUU fishing and illicit trafficking activities.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Data should be disaggregated as follows:

· Number of participants

· Media outlets represented by the participants

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Targets (measurable; quarterly and/or other milestones):

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Outcomes (results or changes caused by these activities):

· Journalists produce written and/or visual products on IUU fishing on illicit trafficking.

· XXX

· XXX

Applicant Project Objective 2: XXX

Objectives of the project should be SMART:

· Specific: Detailed and specifies what will be achieved

· Measurable: have associated metrics or measurements of success

· Attainable: appropriately challenging, objectives can be reasonably attained give the available resources

· Relevant: align with the policy/program goal and appropriate within the country or beneficiary audience

· Time-Bound: achievable within the timeframe of the project

Activities To achieve the goals and expected results, the program should include the following: insert activities/suggested actions here:

· Training sessions led by experts in investigative journalism providing techniques and best practices to journalists to publish or produce written or audio-visual products as well as effective methods to release information.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

To achieve the goals and expected results, the program could include the following: insert activities/suggested actions here:

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Expected Results Specific results could include the following:

· Journalists will possess to tools to create an investigative journalism action plan for researching and drafting material.

· Journalist will better understand the best methods and channels to release produced material for targeted audiences.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Performance Indicators

· The number of participants trained in investigative journalism in techniques and best practices to publish or produce written or audio-visual products as well as effective methods to release information.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Inputs (resource and time requirements):

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Outputs (actions completed and/or items produced):

· Participants trained on techniques and best practices to publish or produce written or audio-visual products as well as effective methods to release information.

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Data should be disaggregated as follows:

· Number of participants

· Media outlets represented by the participants

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Targets (measurable; quarterly and/or other milestones):

· XXX

· XXX

· XXX

Outcomes (results or changes caused by these activities):

· Journalists produce written and/or visual products on IUU fishing on illicit trafficking.

· XXX