Intergovernmental Authority on Development ,Editor for Pilot IGAD Magazine

Terms of Reference for a
Consultancy

IGAD Magazine Consultant

1 Background of the
Consultancy

The Intergovernmental Authority
on Development (IGAD) whose members are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya,
Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda was established in 1986, in response to
the recurr
ent droughts of 1970s and 1980s. In 1996, the mandate of IGAD was
expanded to encompass food security and environmental protection; economic
co-operation and political and humanitarian affairs. The intention of the expanded
mandate of the organisation was to act as a vehicle through which the
sub-region’s resources and energies would be collectively mobilised and
channelled to address robust and sustainable socio-economic development. IGAD
has three priority areas of operation; namely:

• Food Security and Environment
Protection;

• Regional Economic Cooperation
and Integration; and

• Peace and Security, and
Humanitarian Affairs

IGAD has variety print and
digital publications that cover the activities of the organization. However,
with the discontinuation of the print edition of the IGAD Newsletter, it has
become apparent that there is a need to develop a medium that can complement
the existing publications by reaching out to wider audiences. A quarterly
magazine is potentially effective medium to accomplish.

2 Objective of the
Consultancy

The role of the consultant editor
is to organize articles on the work and achievements of IGAD departments,
partners and the organization as a whole, and to unite these articles with a
common voice in a pilot magazine. The magazine will also include feature
articles (in text and or pictures) on thematic topics from the region. A
unified message is crucial to the success of the magazine.

The success of the pilot issue
will determine the continuation of the Quarterly Magazine.

3. Voice

The IGAD Magazine is intended to
improve the image of the organization by providing detailed information about
the organization’s activities in the region. The magazine will compliments
other electronic and print publications from IGAD. Content of the publication
will raise awareness of high priority issues in the region.

4. Demographics

The primary target readership for
the IGAD Magazine are our Member States, Partners and the Public including the
academic institutions and Non-government Organizations.

5. Distribution

The Magazine will be distributed
throughout the region with deliveries to IGAD, Member States, Partners, and
subscribers from the academic communities, diplomatic communities and
interested general public.

6. Main tasks of the
Consultancy

Under the supervision of the
Information and Documentation Section with an oversight of an editorial
committee and in collaboration with the IGAD Divisions, Institutions and
Partners, the consultant editor will be responsible for generating a pilot
issue for an IGAD quarterly magazine.

● Structure the content of the
pilot issue to best convey the role of IGAD in the region.

● Select content that reflects
the variety and depth of IGAD operations and successes in the region.

● Proofread articles with the
highest degree of scrutiny.

● Foster an efficient and
positive working relationship with freelance contributors

7 Expected Results of the
Consultancy

● A pilot issue of an IGAD
quarterly magazine that well represents the contributions of IGAD in the
region.

● The creation of an efficient
system among the various content contributors from IGAD, Partners and freelance
writers/photographers

● Guaranteed top quality writing
in the IGAD quarterly magazine pilot issue.

8 Deliverables

● A brief survey researching and
recording the type of content IGAD and partners seek to generate for a
magazine, and their capability of creating such content.

● A written strategy for
collecting content for the pilot issue.

● A strategy for hiring freelance
writers/photographers when necessary

● A prospective layout for the
magazine.

● A compiling and editing of
content to for the pilot issue.

● The finished, printed pilot
issue.

● A report on the creation
process of the pilot issue including recommendations for the process regarding
further potential issues.

9 Work plan

Month 1

Product 1:Take a brief survey of what content IGAD,
Member States and Partners want to contribute. It is also important to gage
their ability to do so.

Product 2: Create a written strategy that describes
step by step the process of magazine creation from the initial gathering of
content through the final printing of each issue. This strategy should be
catered specifically to IGAD.

Month 2

Product 3: Create a strategy for hiring outside
writers when necessary. IGAD understands that there will be occasional need to
hire outside writers/photographers as consultants. This strategy should reflect
the circumstances under which outside writers/photographers will be needed and
a proposed frequency of hiring them.

Product 4: design a prospective layout for the
magazine, which could include several layout options. This rough draft will
give the Editorial Committee and the Communications Team a starting point, and
feedback will be given and adjustments can be made if necessary.

Month 3 and Month 4

Product 5: Gather a collection of content for the
first issue and apply it to the layout to create a rough draft. This draft will
be reviewed and adjustments can be made.

Month 5

Product 6: The final product of the magazine pilot
issue.

Month 6

Product 7: Create a report on the creation process
regarding the pilot, including recommendations for the process regarding
further issues. This report will include any adjustments that need to be made
to the process and an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the creation
of the pilot issue.

10 Education and
Experience

• At least a Masters degree in
English Language, Public Relations, Journalism, Editing, Business Management,
Project Management, or other fields related to English writing and Editing.

• Demonstrated work in a diverse
environment

• Experience working in both
individual and team settings

• At least 10 years in the fields
of editing, journalism, project management, or any other job related to the
production of English language media

11 Skills and Abilities

• Strong English Reading and
Writing skills

• Full knowledge of writing
styles and grammar

• Strong written and oral communications
skills in English

• Skilled in photography and
graphics

• Working knowledge of desktop
publishing and design software

• Cross disciplinary abilities

• Ability to work in a diverse
environment

• Ability to work with staff in a
variety of departments