Consultant - Conduct a Study on Quality Content and Coverage of Nutrition Reportage in Nigeria and Develop Briefs for Engaging the Media at Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)

Background
The Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS) is a project designed to strengthen the Nigeria nutrition systems to be more Result-driven, Effective, Serviceable, Efficient and Transparent (RESET). This is to facilitate the delivery of Nutrition interventions and to hold government accountable on commitments made to allocate, release and use transparently funds for implementation of high impact Nutrition interventions in Nigeria through evidence-based advocacy.

Malnutrition in Nigeria is caused by several factors, for example, lack of food, improper feeding and caring practices, economic and political structures, low status and lack of education among women, etc. Therefore, a multi-sectoral approach is required for a reduction and eventual eradication of the scourge. The UNICEF conceptual framework (UNICEF 2013) brings to the fore the need for multi-actors, disciplines, sectors and systems in this effort as evidence increasingly suggests that solving malnutrition can benefit from a systems approach (WHO 2009; Hammond & Dube’s 2012).

PINNS project adopts a systems approach to strengthening bodies burdened with the responsibility of reducing malnutrition in Nigeria. It pays attention to the unpredictable interaction among factors, sectors, disciplines and determinants of nutrition, bringing to the table key tools and technical support required for the effective coordination and implementation of programs. PINNS seeks to focus on strengthening governance, policy implementation, effective coordination, financing, building the capacity of state actors, generation and effective communication of evidence and promoting accountability. This collective effort will contribute to a reduction in malnutrition, thereby improving the nutritional status of Nigerians, particularly women and children. The organizational capacity of CS-SUNN to become a leading voice on nutrition advocacy in Nigeria by deepening expertise gained from the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project and building new ones is also one of the goals the project intends to achieve.

Rationale

• Malnutrition remains a serious challenge that has severe consequences for families and countries and contributes to under development. Reducing malnutrition and improving Nigeria’s Nutrition Systems require efforts by government, communities, CSOs and the nation at large. The Media as instruments of mobilization, awareness creation, information exchange and dissemination has a great role to play in setting nutrition as an agenda for public discourse. The need for the media to play its role as watchdogs of the society in reviewing performance of nutrition stakeholders, identifying bottlenecks and holding them accountable is germane to eradicating the scourge in Nigeria.
• This assignment is designed to generate a baseline on quality-content, frequency and reach of nutrition reports by media personnel, organisations and channels in the country. This will form the basis of our engagement with the media in pushing for improved quality of content, frequency and coverage of nutrition issues and thus contribute to improving nutrition visibility in the country through the PINNS project.
• The consultant is expected to identify current interest of media outlets in nutrition, media organisations that uphold ethical principles in reporting and those that disregard such principles, (especially regarding nutrition issues as they concern women and children) as well as, picked-up themes/quotations from and references made to CS-SUNN’s work, accuracy of content, reach and frequency of reportage on nutrition issues.

Purpose of Assignment

• The consultant is to collect and analyse information (News, Infographics, Audio-visuals, Newspaper clippings, Audio/Video cues etc.) on nutrition-related content of print, broadcast and online media and present the results, in order to gauge the quality/accuracy of content, level/reach of coverage and frequency of nutrition reportage in the Nigerian Media.
• He/she will also map influential media personnel who can become allies for improving nutrition visibility on the PINNS project.

Specific Tasks
The specific tasks for the consultants are:

• Develop study design and tools including a media tracking tool.
• Review 2016 and 2017 National daily newspapers, National weekly newspapers, National monthly editions: mass and specialized magazines, Online news agencies, National radio and TV stations and all social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, on-blogs, etc) to ascertain the accuracy and frequency of nutrition issues and their level of reach/coverage.
• Analyse content on reportage of Nutrition by the Nigerian media paying attention to prominence, primary and secondary content, stakeholders, orientation of reporting and tone of reporting across all media (Traditional; Radio, TV and Newspapers and New Media)
• Develop briefs for engaging with the media on improving quality of content and frequency of reporting nutrition issues.
• Identify the emerging challenges and constraints to increasing visibility of Nutrition in the Nigerian media space with regards to accuracy, frequency and reach/coverage and proffer solutions.

Expected Outputs
By the end of the assignment the following outputs will be expected:

• A final report on study on quality content and coverage of nutrition reportage in Nigeria and develop briefs for engaging the media. Report must include mapping of influential media personnel in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa and their willingness to contribute to improving nutrition reportage in the country.
• Study design and tools
• Brief on quality content and coverage of nutrition issues in Nigeria
• A summary of the study report of not more than 10 pages.
• Media tracking tool

Type of Consultants Required
The would-be consultant should have the following skills:

• At least 7 years of experience in media monitoring, including quantitative/ qualitative analysis, and advanced degree in relevant discipline.
• Experience in journalism and understanding of Nutrition Issues;
• Extensive experience in media monitoring/Content analysis and press clipping, preferably for non-profit and international organizations
• Already established partnerships with media which will be monitored
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure to produce reports and briefs
• Flexibility in responding to the needs of the contracting agency

Timing of Consultancy:

• The assignment will be carried out in Abuja and focal states (Lagos, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna) and will last for 20 working days in the month of May/June 2018. Assignment must be completed and final submissions made by close of business of the 22nd of June, 2018.