Digital Safety Trainer

IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to provide digital safety expertise for individuals and organizations across Europe and Eurasia in the media profession who are experiencing or at risk of digital threats. Responsibilities will include providing contextualized digital safety and risk management support to journalists, media practitioners, and media organizations. The consultancy end date is May 31 and all activities will be conducted virtually.

IREX will prioritize local nationals based in Europe and Eurasia.

IREX reserves the right to withdrawal this request for proposals at any time up to the award of the contract.

Proposal Requirements

Individuals interested in providing this service must submit a CV which demonstrates the consultant’s experience and capacity to:

• Provide digital risk assessment and mitigation planning sessions to at-risk individuals and organizations; session length ranges from several hours to several days depending on the needs and can spread across one day or multiple;

• Ensure integrated approach to safety and work in coordination with other support service providers and program staff;

• Provide follow up and mentoring to those receiving support on as-needed basis;

• Use program tools to support data collection on needs and feedback on the provided support;

• Assist with increasing awareness about the support available through the program;

• Provide reports and updates to program staff when requested and participate in program meetings;

The ideal consultant will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in System Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering or any related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience providing Digital Security and Risk Management support including but not limited to topics such as cyber security risk assessment and management, information management and digital security.

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting risk assessments, leading risk management processes, and developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures for individuals and organizations (preferably from a holistic perspective);

• Demonstrated experience training and mentoring at risk individuals or organizations on digital security;

• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles;

• Experience in training and working in coordination with other experts and coordinating content and methodology;

• In-depth knowledge of the journalism sector and safety needs of journalists and media practitioners;

• Experience working in high-risk environments or emergency situations or experience providing digital security support to at risk individuals and organizations with urgent needs;

• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills;

• Experience working in regional settings and across various cultures;

• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and provide written reporting in English;

• Proficiency in regional languages is highly preferred (ex. Ukrainian, Georgian, Russian)

• Experience of working constructively as part of a team in virtual settings.

IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information, including references. Issuing this call does not commit IREX to select any applicant/expert. IREX might select more than one candidate from this call. IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and consultant(s) performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor(s) for a period of up to three years without issuing a new call for applications.

Proposal Submission Requirements

If you are interested in furnishing this service, please submit a CV to this application that includes your daily rate requirements.

If you decide to submit a proposal, it must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 1. Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion. All proposals submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

Candidate Evaluation

The criteria are listed in descending order starting with the most important factors to be evaluated.

• Previous experience and qualifications (70%)

• Cost (20%)

• Immediate start availability (10%)

Renewal

IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and vendor performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor for a period of up to three years without issuing a new RFP.