The International Press Institute (IPI) is seeking a consultant to research and draft a report on trends and challenges of access to information for climate and environmental reporting in Africa. This research will be undertaken as part of IPI’s Climate and Environmental Journalism Africa (CEJA) programme to strengthen climate and environmental journalism in Africa. This report will provide evidence for policy makers and advocates to strengthen climate and environmental journalism in Africa by improving access to information policies and practices.
The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism. It promotes the conditions that allow journalism to fulfill its public function, the most important of which is the media’s ability to operate free from interference and without fear of retaliation.
Context
Strong access to information policies and practices are essential for robust, public interest reporting on climate and environmental issues. As African countries confront the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, natural resource extraction, and biodiversity loss, journalists play an important role in informing the public, scrutinising decision-making, and promoting accountability. Their work often depends on timely access to critical data and information. However, climate and environmental journalists often face barriers in accessing this information, and this can undermine their ability to fully investigate and report on matters of public interest.
Scope of report
This study (10-15 pages) seeks to map access to information laws and policies and their implementation in six priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The study should include:
- A mapping of existing laws and policies related to access to information in six countries.
- An assessment of gaps in implementation for journalists covering climate and environmental topics.
- Clear and actionable recommendations for improving the legal and policy environment to improve the enabling environment for public-interest journalism, in line with international and regional standards, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) resolution calling on African states to enable access to climate and environmental information.
Qualifications
- Excellent research and writing skills.
- Previous experience conducting research on human rights, freedom of expression, media freedom, and/or access to information.
- Strong understanding of media freedom issues in Africa.
- Strong knowledge of access to information laws and policies at national, regional and international levels.
- Availability to deliver the report within the stated timeline.
Timeline
The consultancy is expected to be completed within ten (10) weeks from the start of the assignment on July 1st at the latest, as follows
- Draft report outline and detailed plan by July 5, with feedback from IPI by July 8
- First draft by July 31, with feedback from IPI by August 7
- Second draft by August 16, with feedback from IPI, by August 21
- Final draft by August 31
- The consultant will remain available for potential remaining questions or final inputs up to September 10.
Compensation
Interested consultants are requested to submit a financial proposal for undertaking the assignment. The financial proposal should provide a breakdown of costs and indicate the consultant’s total fee for completing the assignment and all associated deliverables.The maximum fee is USD 4,500, inclusive of all any professional fees, communication costs, and any other expenses related to the assignment.
How to apply
Interested candidates are required to submit their expressions of interest via email to [email protected] by June 22, 2026, including the following documents:
- Technical and financial proposal: Explanation about the consultant(s) understanding of the ToRs, including a brief proposed approach and methodology (1-2 pages max) to accomplish the tasks.
- CV, highlighting the level of expertise and experience required for this task
- Copies or links to past, relevant research work and reports drafted by the consultant.