Berghof Foundation Project: “Infrastructures for Peace: Towards social cohesion through inclusive mechanisms for conflict transformation”
Call for Applications 2025-82404
Terms of Reference for a Media Expert, Southwest State, Somalia (Contract for Consulting Services)
1. Consultancy Description
The consultant will, together with the project team, develop the concept for a regular media output
(which can either be a radio show, a TV show, social media series or some other form of
communication). The contract will be for a period until the end of 2025 with the possibility of
extension.
2. Berghof Foundation’s Work in Southwest State, Somalia
The Berghof Foundation has been actively working in Somalia for many years. Since 2025, the
organization is also supporting peace work in Southwest State and wants to strengthen social
cohesion, contribute to a peaceful dialogue and build stronger trust between the different
communities of the federal state.
Within the current project, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project team is
setting up a network of local peacebuilders and supports them in their community work on climate
adaptation, conflict mediation and social cohesion. The organization also wants to set up a regular
media output, establishing a platform for dialogue for local peacebuilders, grassroots organizations
and government representatives that are working for sustainable peace in the federal state.
3. Main Tasks and Responsibilities
In close coordination and cooperation with the Berghof Foundation’s project staff in Mogadishu and
Berlin, the Consultant’s tasks may include but are not limited to:
- Develop the concept for a media output with regular episodes.
- Develop a social media strategy for the media output.
- Prepare the content of each episode and implement it.
- Be responsible for the logistical preparation of the media output, as well as the communication
with related entities (e.g. radio/TV stations, guests and other project partners).
- Interact and maintain good relationships with partners, experts and stakeholders.
- Stay up to date and regularly inform the project team on current socio-political discourse and
trends in Southwest State.
- Implement the social media strategy, e.g. posting regular messages encouraging active
participation of followers (and moderating responses) on the various (upcoming and past) topics
highlighted through the media output.
- Conduct, as needed, interviews in advance for upcoming episodes.
In addition to the above list, the Berghof Foundation reserves the right to request deliverables not
explicitly mentioned in the above list of tasks, but related to the scope of the present framework
service contract.
4. Scope of the Service Contract
The consultant is expected to be based in Southwest State. The duration of the service contract is
envisioned to start as early as possible and run until 31 December 2025, with the possibility of
extension until 31 December 2026.
5. Supervision and Reporting
The successful candidate will primarily report to the Mogadishu-based Project Manager and will work
closely with the Berlin-based Senior Advisor and Project Manager.
Applicants shall demonstrate that they fulfil the following criteria (to be assessed on the basis of all
supporting documents listed in Section 9):
- Strong journalistic background, ideally with expertise in front of the camera and at a microphone (TV, radio) and with social media
- Comprehensive knowledge about the topics of climate change, climate security and conflict transformation
- Excellent knowledge of the Somali and Southwest State context
- Technical know-how on the production of a radio/TV show
- Skilled and professional usage of various social media platforms
- Strong organizational, management, logistics and communication skills, with experience in organizing events
- Excellent verbal and written language skills in Somali and Southwest State dialects. Spoken and written proficiency in English is a plus.
- Charisma and an outgoing, curious personality
- Good networker with the ability to engage with a large range of stakeholders
Applicants should bring the following additional skills:
- Strong ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
- Strong empathetic skills
- Good coordination skills
- Ability to work under time pressure
- Curiosity, creativity, passion and perseverance
7. Excluding and Awarding Criteria
Excluding criteria:
- Not being able and willing to work in Southwest State, Somalia
- No fluency in all regional dialects
- Insufficient multipartiality1
How to apply
8. Application Procedures
The applicant must submit the following documents to Mr. Pascal Grimm at p.grimm@berghof-foundation.org until 9 November 2025:
- A cover letter (ideally in English, alternatively in Somali)
- A detailed CV including a track record of previous experiences and professional capacity
The evaluation of the applications will be based on the information provided. For more information,
please write to p.grimm@berghof-foundation.org.
