IREX Georgia

2012 Grants Contests

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:10:12 +0000

Updated on April 30th, 2012

IREX G-MEDIA program announces following grants contests:

1. Grants contest open to regional- and minority language media, regardless of platform: Download the RFA (DOC file)

2. Limited competition, open to G-MEDIA subgrantees only, Content in Regional- and Minority-Language Media: Download the RFA (DOC file)

3. Public Affairs Content Production, with Emphasis on Elections Reporting, Open to print media outlets: Download the RFA (DOC file)

4. Public Affairs Content Production, with Emphasis on Elections Reporting, Open to regional TV companies: Download the RFA (DOC file)

5. Public Affairs Content Production, with Emphasis on Elections Reporting, Open to radio companies: Download the RFA (DOC file)

6. Grants Contest open to individuals operating online media – Download the RFA (DOC file)

7. Limited competition open to G-MEDIA grantees operating online media – Download the RFA (DOC file)

8. Grants Contest open to online media – Download the RFA (DOC file)

9. Limited competition for G-MEDIA subgrantee open to online media – Download the RFA (DOC file)

10. Limited competition open to G-MEDIA subgrantees only Public Affairs Content Production, with Emphasis on Elections Reporting – Download the RFA (DOC file)

Download the Budget Template - English and Georgian (XLS file)

New Edition of Notes from Undergrad

eka — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:11:44 +0000

A new, Spring 2012 edition of Notes from Undergrad newsletter has been just released. We hope you enjoy.

Notes from Undergrad- Spring 2012

Notes from UnderGrad is a forum for the Global Undergraduate
Exchange Program community to express views and share the Global
UGRAD program participant and alumni experience. The newsletter is
sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US
Department of State and produced by IREX.

RFA for Daily Catering Services

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:15:08 +0000

Request for Applications

Provision of Daily Catering Services for

The Multimedia Education Center (MEC) S.M.A.R.T. Café

Issue Date: April 20^th, 2012

Application Due Date: May 11^th, 2012 (By close of business day 6:00pm)

Anticipate Start date: May 27^th, 2012

Introduction

The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX), under the scope of G-MEDIA program, requests applications for provision of catering services to the Multimedia Education Center (MEC) cafe. The Center operates from 10:00am to 10:00pm every day, except Sundays. Its services are used by over 100 students daily and by more during special events. The café should provide healthy and affordable snacks, meals and beverages to the students, staff members and MEC visitors.

About IREX

IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. Since its founding in 1968, IREX has supported over 15,000 students, scholars, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and other professionals. IREX serves as a major resource for universities, governments, and the corporate sector in understanding international political, social, economic, and business developments.

The IREX Mission

Foster democracy in transitioning societies
Strengthen and help internationalize educational, nongovernmental, and media organizations
Support the highest-quality research in the social sciences and humanities
Identify and train the next generation of leaders by working together with universities, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, governments, and corporations

About G-MEDIA Program

Funded by USAID, Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability Program (G-MEDIA) is to improve the public’s access to a range of sources of news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels. The program seeks to raise the quality and diversity of media content and broaden delivery channels; improve professionalism, including through university journalism education; depoliticize the regulatory environment and strengthen journalists’ capacity to address infringements to their rights and breaches of professional ethics; and improve the viability of media outlets.

IREX has designed and implemented independent media projects in more than 20 countries across Europe and Eurasia. IREX also publishes the annual Media Sustainability Index (MSI), a valuable tool that analyzes the status and progress of independent media

About the Multimedia Education Center (MEC)

The Multimedia Education Center (MEC) is a state-of-the-art training and learning facility, established by the IREX-implemented and USAID-funded G-MEDIA (Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability) program. The MEC is designed to meet the rapidly changing needs in journalism education and news gathering. This unique facility is equal parts laboratory, studio and forum, and offers an immersive learning environment for journalism students.

The MEC is made up of a S.M.A.R.T Media Lab, classrooms, a discussion club and a café. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for the values assigned to serve users who will occupy the facility: Scalable, Multi-purpose, Agile, Resourceful and Trusted. The S.M.A.R.T. Media Lab features state-of-the-art thinking about electronic classrooms, studio design, open space architecture, and mobile-oriented media labs.

The entire space functions as a large multi-platform stage where every square meter provides a studio-grade environment available for interviewing, editing, producing and hosting multi-platform content. One unique feature of the MEC is that the gear, furniture and even the walls can be easily moved to change the design and layout of the space.

Having a café inside the MEC allows for greater comfort for students, instructors and visitors.

Task Description

The purpose of this RFA is to select a vendor to operate the MEC’s S.M.A.R.T. café on a daily basis by providing healthy and affordable snacks, meals and beverages for the Multimedia Education Center students, staff and visitors.

The S.M.A.R.T. café is a fully furnished facility with over 32 sq./m and has the ability to seat up to 30 people at a time.

Café furniture includes corner couches, round café tables with round chairs, a bar stand with plenty of cabinet space and bar stools.

Interested individuals and businesses should submit the following information in their application:

1. Vendor name, address, and name of primary contact person

2. Cover letter with the statement of qualifications and experience in the field of catering

3. An itemized breakdown of the meals and services provided and present with the final pricing including additional fees and taxes

4. List of the major equipment owned to equip the S.M.A.R.T Café

5. Proposed monthly rent payment for occupying the MEC facility

6. Resumes of key personnel and staff personnel who would be working at the MEC Café. Please include how many personnel would be allocated to the café and specify their tasks and responsibilities.

7. List of client references

8. Certificate of company registration

9. Proof that company does not have debts to the tax authorities

10. Any other pertinent information needed to evaluate proposal

In addition, interested individuals and businesses are requested to visit the site and inspect the MEC S.M.A.R.T. Café prior to submitting their application. Please refer to the contact information on the bottom to schedule an MEC visit.

Additional information

The S.M.A.R.T. Café is fully furnished and is a smoke free and odor free environment. Cooking in the Multimedia Education Center is not allowed. All food delivered must be premade and not overly aromatic. The vendor who will be awarded a bid will be responsible for bringing the necessary appliances for warming up the food if applicable, as well as an appropriate refrigeration system.

The IREX and MEC staff will review the submitted applications and they will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria.

Responsive proposals will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria:
•Cost Effectiveness (35%)
• Qualifications of key personnel (15%)
• Healthy menu: healthy snacks, meals and beverages (25%)
• Organizational capacity – ability to provide complete and thorough documentation as required (15%)
• Past references (10%)

The proposal should be submitted by: 6:00pm Wednesday, May 11, 2012

Please e-mail or deliver the application and supporting documents to the contact information indicated below.

Please submit your application to the attention of

TinatinGogolashvili-Radford

Multimedia Education Center Manager

Multimedia Education Center

10a Al. Chavchavadze St. Tbilisi 0102

Or e-mail to tgogolashvili-radford@irex.org

Training – How to Report on Elections

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:14:34 +0000

The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) program Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability (G-MEDIA) invites journalists and editors from Western Georgia to participate in the workshop

How to Report on Elections

While sharing the same agenda, three-day seminars on how to monitor pre-election campaign and report on it, will be held on April 26,27,28 for the reporters coming from Western part of Georgia, at IREX Office at the following address: 6 MarjanishviliStreet, Tbilisi. The seminars are open to participation by journalists (reporters, correspondents,editors) working in Western Georgia and having experience in covering of elections.Similar workshop will be conducted for journalists from Tbilisi and Eastern Georgia on April 23, 24, 25, 2012.

The workshops are delivered within the frames of The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) program Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability (G-MEDIA).

G-MEDIA program is implemented through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Nick Thorpe, international trainer with vast experience in broadcasting and online journalism, will lead the workshops. See Nick Thorpe’s short bio below.

The journalists Western part of Georgia interested in participating in the workshop must complete the attached Program Participant Application Form and a cover letter. Both documents must be mailed to the following address: trainings@irex.ge, no later than 6 pm on April 20,2012.

Cover letter should not exceed one page and must contain information about relevant experience of the applicant.Relate why you became interested in this training and how you plan to apply knowledge acquired in the course of the training.

The number of participants is limited, and applicants will be selected on the basis of completed application forms and cover letters. Selected applicants will be informed on April 23, 2012.

Training organizers will cover all travel, accommodation and nourishment costs of participating journalists and editors from the regions. Upon completion of the training, participants will receive certificates.

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Contact persons:

TinatinBasharuli

Tel.: 2 912608, extension 115

Ana Nizharadze

Tel.: 2 912608, extension 116

Bio

Nick Thorpe was first western journalist based in Hungary as freelance correspondent for BBC, the Independent, and UPI. He covered collapse of Communism in Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia and East Germany. From 1990 he became East Europe correspondent for the newspaper Observer. He covered collapse of Yugoslavia and wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, Macedonia. Since 1996, Mr. Nick Thorpe is the correspondent of BBC in Central Europe.

Training – How to Report on Elections

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:12:36 +0000

How to Report on Elections

While sharing the same agenda, three-day seminars on how to monitor pre-election campaign and report on it, will be held on April 23,24,25 for the reporters coming from Eastern part of Georgia, at IREX Office at the following address: 6 MarjanishviliStreet, Tbilisi. The seminars are open to participation by journalists (reporters, correspondents,editors) working in Tbilisi as well as in the regions of Eastern Georgia and having experience in covering of elections.Similar workshop will be conducted for journalists from Western Georgia on April 26, 27, 28, 2012.

The workshops are delivered within the frames of The International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) program Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability (G-MEDIA).

G-MEDIA program is implemented through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Nick Thorpe, international trainer with vast experience in broadcasting and online journalism, will lead the workshops. See Nick Thorpe’s short bio below.

The journalists from Tbilisi and Eastern part of Georgia interested in participating in the workshop must complete the attached Program Participant Application Form and a cover letter. Both documents must be mailed to the following address: trainings@irex.ge, no later than 6 pm on April 18,2012.

Cover letter should not exceed one page and must contain information about relevant experience of the applicant. Relate why you became interested in this training and how you plan to apply knowledge acquired in the course of the training.

The number of participants is limited, and applicants will be selected on the basis of completed application forms and cover letters. Selected applicants will be informed on April 20, 2012.

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Contact persons:

TinatinBasharuli

Tel.: 2 912608, extension 115

Ana Nizharadze

Tel.: 2 912608, extension 116

Bio

RFP – Business Plan for the MEC

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:56:25 +0000

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Issue Date: March 30, 2012
Proposal Due Date: April 23, 2012 (By close of business day 6:00 p.m.)
Anticipated Award Date: May 4, 2012

All Bidders should prepare a response before April 20, 2012.

I. Introduction
IREX, (International Research & Exchanges Board), under the scope of G-MEDIA program invites interested and qualified organizations to submit a proposal for the development of a Business Plan for the IREX Multimedia Education Center to ensure its sustainability after the end of the grant period.

II. Project Requirements

A. Background
About IREX
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. Since its founding in 1968, IREX has supported over 15,000 students, scholars, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and other professionals. IREX serves as a major resource for universities, governments, and the corporate sector in understanding international political, social, economic, and business developments.

The IREX Mission
• Foster democracy in transitioning societies
• Strengthen and help internationalize educational, nongovernmental, and media organizations
• Support the highest-quality research in the social sciences and humanities
• Identify and train the next generation of leaders by working together with universities, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, governments, and corporations

About G-MEDIA Program
Funded by USAID, Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability Program (G-MEDIA) is to improve the public’s access to a range of sources of news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels. The program seeks to raise the quality and diversity of media content and broaden delivery channels; improve professionalism, including through university journalism education; depoliticize the regulatory environment and strengthen journalists’ capacity to address infringements to their rights and breaches of professional ethics; and improve the viability of media outlets.
IREX has designed and implemented independent media projects in more than 20 countries across Europe and Eurasia. IREX also publishes the annual Media Sustainability Index (MSI), a valuable tool that analyzes the status and progress of independent media

About Multimedia Education Center
The Multimedia Education Center (MEC) is a state-of-the-art training and learning facility, established by the IREX-implemented and USAID-funded G-MEDIA (Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability) program. The MEC is designed to support improvement in Georgia’s professional journalism community by focusing on innovative uses of technology in teaching and learning about journalism.

The MEC is designed to meet the rapidly changing needs in journalism education and news gathering. This unique facility is equal parts laboratory, studio and forum, and offers an immersive learning environment for journalism students.

The MEC is made up of a S.M.A.R.T Media Lab, classrooms, a discussion club and a café. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for the values assigned to serve users who will occupy the facility: Scalable, Multi-purpose, Asymmetrical, Resourceful and Trusted. The S.M.A.R.T. Media Lab features state-of-the-art thinking about electronic classrooms, studio design, open space architecture, and mobile-oriented media labs.

The MEC’s unique structure allows educators to take students out of classrooms and into a studio environment which challenges many traditional solutions about how to organize classrooms, computer labs, studio and editing space, meeting rooms, technology, security, sound control, lighting and other aspects of a multimedia newsroom.

The classrooms at the MEC are all digital-ready: All rooms feature high-bandwidth wireless service and digital projectors. Up to 50 Student workstations are made up of Macbook Pros with the complete Adobe Master Collection of professional media software included. In addition, students have access to a wide range of quality cameras, microphones, audio recorders, iPads, and other mobile devices.

The S.M.A.R.T. Media Lab can also be used as a live event space for lectures, movie screenings, conferences, workshops or political debates. The lab’s design also provides broadcast-quality live streaming of video from these events. The lab’s prime camera for live streaming is a top-level Sony XDCAM of the same quality used by CNN, BBC and other professional studios. Having a café inside the MEC allows for greater comfort for students, instructors and visitors.

The main beneficiaries of the Center are the students of the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and the newly established Media School of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

B. Task Description

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain the services of a qualified organization to assist IREX/G-MEDIA with developing a Business Plan for the Multimedia Education Center that will propose diverse and stable revenue sources to reduce MEC reliance on donor funding and build a basis for its sustainability.

C. Scope of Services

IREX is seeking an organization that can develop a successful Business Plan for the Multimedia Education Center. The successful proposal will explain what the business plan will address, what components it will include and how it will help the MEC achieve sustainability.

III. Proposal Timeline

A. RFP Release – March 30

B. Deadline to Submit Questions – April 9
All questions must be submitted in writing, no later than 6:00 p.m. on April 9, 2012 to the address listed at the end of the document. E-mails are accepted. E-mail subject line must be MEC Business Plan.

C. Response to written questions (TENTATIVE) – April 16

D. Deadline for Proposal Submission – April 23

E. Review/Approval of Proposal – May 7

F. Announcement of winner (TENTATIVE) – May 8

G. Contract start date (TENTATIVE) – May 14

IV. Proposal Submission
A. Proposal must be received no later than April 23, 2012

B. All correspondence, , must be submitted to:

Tamar Gabisonia, Senior Journalism Education Officer
IREX Georgia
6 Marjanishvili Street
Tbilisi 0102, Georgia
Email: gmedia@irex.ge

C. Proposal Format

Proposals must be submitted in BOTH hard copy and electronic copy in English before the deadline and should contain the following:

1. Cover Letter with the following information (maximum one page):

a. Contractor’s company name, mailing address and telephone number
b. Name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a contact person
c. Title of this solicitation
d. Submission date of the proposal
e. Contractor’s total proposal budget
f. Signature of an individual authorized to enter into contracts for the Contractor

2. Contractors Qualifications – Summary of organization’s background and experience performing the services described in this RFP, including detailed evidence that their organization has previous experience with similar services on projects of similar scope and range as the project specified in this RFP.

Summary of Contractors experience, knowledge, and understanding of the Media Industry and Journalism Education in Georgia;

3. Contractor References – Provide minimum of two corporate references from previous engagements similar in nature and size to the effort described in this RFP’s SOW. Include the following information for each reference:

a. Brief Description of the Contract/Project
b. Contact Name and Title
c. Contact E-mail
d. Contact Phone

4. Team Qualifications – Describe the qualifications of key members of the proposed engagement team as they relate to the general requirements set forth in this RFP’s Scope of Work. Identify the role that each member is expected to play and describe the experience, education, knowledge and skills each member possesses as it related to their proposed role. Provide a resume of the relevant experience of each Contractor team member proposed. Provide a minimum of two references for each team member proposed.

5. Project Management Approach – Describe the project management approach the Contractor proposes to take to accomplish the requirements outlined in the SOW on time and within budget, and for meeting customer quality expectations.

Identify the tools the Contractor proposes to use and the project management artifacts it will produce as part of managing the business planning engagement.

6. Understanding and Description of the Tasks to be Performed (Work Plan) – Include a description of your understanding of the Scope of Work. Emphasize your understanding of the MEC objectives and the major activities that must be performed to complete the work. Describe the activities you will perform to complete the required work.

Provide a high-level work plan for this effort. The work plan must identify major activities, estimated start and end dates, and deliverable milestones. At minimum the work plan must map each primary task to a deliverable. The response must include any additional information that the Contractor deems necessary to explain how the Contractor intends to meet IREX’s requirements. Include the following as appropriate:

a) Overview of the required tasks and outcomes
b) Description of how the tasks will be performed
c) Work plan for each task
d) Gantt chart view of the project schedule
e) Samples of work from other projects, or outlines of what deliverables are proposed for the required tasks.

7. Cost Worksheet. Budget proposal excluding VAT which itemizes all costs required to accomplish the work by task. To itemize salaries, indicate each project team member’s name and title, estimated number of hours to work by each, the hourly wage for each, and each employee’s total salary for the work. Hourly wages submitted shall remain in effect until project completion. If the estimated number of hours worked is exceeded, IREX bears no responsibility to compensate for those hours.

8. Certificate of company registration

9. Proof that company does not have debts to the tax authorities

10. Any other pertinent information needed to evaluate proposal

E. Proposal Condition

A. Contingencies

This request does not commit IREX to award a contract. IREX reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or any part(s) of any or all proposals if IREX determines it is in the best interest of the IREX to do so.

B. Evaluation Process

Responsive proposals will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria:

• Completeness of Proposal, including all documents and information identified as required in this RFP, and satisfaction of minimum qualifications (5%)

• Qualifications of the Contractor’s firm above the minimum requirements stated in the SOW (10%)

• Qualifications of the proposed team members above the minimum requirements stated in the SOW (25)

• Project management approach (10%)

• Proposed Business Plan Structure (20%)

• Cost (30%)

C. Incurred Costs

This request does not commit IREX to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request and Proposer agrees that all costs incurred in developing this proposal are the Proposer’s responsibility.

D. Contract Award

Contract will be awarded based on a competitive selection of proposals received.

E. Contract Negotiations

IREX may require the potential contractors selected to participate in negotiations to submit revisions to pricing, technical information, and/or other items of their proposals as may result from negotiations. The contents of the proposal of the successful Proposer will become contractual obligations, subject to negotiation, and failure to accept these obligations in a contractual agreement may result in cancellation of the award.

RFP for CSJMM Strategic Planning Services

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:32:09 +0000

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Issue Date: March 30, 2012
Proposal Due Date: April 23, 2012 (By close of business day 6:00 p.m.)
Anticipated Award Date: May 4, 2012

All Bidders should prepare a response before April 20, 2012.

I. Introduction
IREX, (International Research & Exchanges Board), under the scope of G-MEDIA program is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to provide Strategic Planning Services for IREX/G-MEDIA sub-grant recipient Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA).

II. Project Requirements

A. Background

About IREX
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. Since its founding in 1968, IREX has supported over 15,000 students, scholars, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and other professionals. IREX serves as a major resource for universities, governments, and the corporate sector in understanding international political, social, economic, and business developments.

About CSJMM

IREX/G-MEDIA grant recipient the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) is one of three graduate schools at the Zurab Zhvania Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), a non-profit organization concerned with building capacity for effective government, media and civil society. CSJMM currently offers three master’s degree programs: Journalism and Media Management; Journalism and Communication Management and Public Relations. In addition to its degree granting courses, CSJMM trains students and professionals in non-degree programs and trainings.

B. Task Description

IREX is seeking a vendor to facilitate a strategic planning process for the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management (CSJMM) that will provide guidance to its management for future decision making and continuous development of its programs and services. The purpose of the strategic planning process will be to assist in (1) determining the local needs which should be addressed; (2) developing a comprehensive and effective 10 year strategic plan.

C. Scope of Services

IREX is seeking a vendor who can assist CSJMM in developing Strategic Plan that will ensure achievement of its mission: to support the development of independent media in the Caucasus by means of educational and training programs in journalism, communication and media management. The school’s philosophy is that journalists– well-grounded in skills to report fairly and accurately and communication specialists — facilitating a free access to information– will raise the level of journalism where they practice, and will serve the public by providing truthful information and upholding the highest ethical standards of the profession.

IREX is seeking the best strategy that will enable CSJMM to accomplish its mission by (1) exploiting the opportunities and strengths while (2) neutralizing its threats and (3) and correcting (or avoiding) its weaknesses.

IREX recognizes that development of a long range plan should be done as a collaborative process. The strategic planning will include planning, facilitating and evaluating a Planning Retreat with the CSJMM management and staff and, IREX/G-MEDIA representatives to:
• Review and revise, as necessary CSJMM vision and mission statements
• Develop short and long-long term goals and objectives
• Develop key strategies
• Develop key indicators and outcomes that can serve as the basis for performance measurement

The location, cost and event planning of the retreat will be coordinated through IREX/G-MEDIA.

D. Deliverables

Contractor will be responsible for submitting the first draft of the Strategic Plan to IREX and CSJMM for review. After making corrections and revisions to the draft, contractor will make official presentation of the final Strategic Plan to CSJMM and IREX representatives. The dates for submitting the first draft and final Strategic Plan will be specified in the agreement between IREX and Contractor.

IREX anticipates that successful development of a strategic plan will lead to a follow-up project in which vendors will be asked to submit proposals for execution of the plan and direct implementation assistance.

III. Proposal Timeline

A. RFP Release – March 30

C. Answers to written questions (TENTATIVE) – April 16

D. Deadline for Proposal Submission – April 23

E. Review/Approval of Proposal (TENTATIVE) – May 4

F. Announcement of winner (TENTATIVE) – May 7

G. Contract signed (TENTATIVE) – May 14

IV. Proposal Submission
A. Proposal must be received no later than the date and time for proposal submission: April 23, 2012 (By 6 p.m.)

B. All correspondence, including the proposals, must be submitted to:
Tamar Gabisonia, Senior Journalism Education Officer
IREX Georgia
6 Marjanishvili Street
Tbilisi 0102, Georgia
Email: gmedia@irex.ge

C. Proposal Format

Proposals must be submitted in BOTH hard copy and electronic copy in English before the deadline and should contain the following:

1. Summary of organization’s background and experience in similar projects. Vendor must have minimum of (5) years of experience in facilitating the strategic planning process for an educational institution or similar type of organizations.

2. Name, phone number and address of at least three references from similar contracts.

3. A brief synopsis explaining how the vendor sees CSJMM’s needs and how Vendor plans to meet these needs.

4. A detailed description of the proposed plan to achieve the Scope of Services, Section II, as understood by the vendor and the proposed timeline.

5. Cost. Budget proposal excluding VAT which itemizes all costs required to accomplish the work by task. To itemize salaries, indicate each project team member’s name and title, estimated number of hours to work by each, the hourly wage for each, and each employee’s total salary for the work. Hourly wages submitted shall remain in effect until project completion. If the estimated number of hours worked is exceeded, IREX bears no responsibility to compensate for those hours.

6. Resumes of key staff that will be assigned to the project;

7. Certificate of company registration;

8. Proof that company does not have debts to the tax authorities;

9. Any other pertinent information needed to evaluate proposal.

E. Proposal Condition

A. Contingencies

B. Evaluation Process

All proposals will be subject to a standard review process developed by IREX. This includes technical review and evaluation, as well as cost evaluation. The primary consideration shall be the effectiveness of the organization in the delivery of comparable or related services based on demonstrated performance. Performance factors to be evaluated include past experience, delivery date of Strategy Document, cost effectiveness, quality of service, ability to provide complete and through documentation as required by IREX.

Responsive proposals will be evaluated and scored on the following criteria:
• Cost Effectiveness (25%)
• Qualifications of key personnel (25%)
• Quality and appropriateness of the overall methodology and planned activities (30%)
• Organizational capacity – ability to provide complete and through documentation as required (10%)
• Past references (10%)

C. Incurred Costs

D. Contract Award

Contract will be awarded based on a competitive selection of proposals received.

E. Contract Negotiations

IREX may require the potential contractors selected to participate in negotiations and to submit revisions to pricing, technical information, and/or other items of their proposals as may result from negotiations. The contents of the proposal of the successful Proposer will become contractual obligations, subject to negotiation, and failure to accept these obligations in a contractual agreement may result in cancellation of the award.

RFA, Limited competition, open to G-MEDIA subgrantees only

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:35:37 +0000

Request for Applications

Limited competition, open to G-MEDIA subgrantees only

Public Affairs Content Production, with Emphasis on Elections Reporting

Announced: March 26, 2012

IREX is conducting a competition in the frames of its Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability (G-MEDIA) Program, which is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). IREX has a limited pool of funds to support one year of public affairs content with an emphasis on elections reporting in media outlets, which have successfully implemented G-MEDIA-funded public affairs content production projects in 2011-2012.

Eligible applicants may apply for the following amounts:

A Tbilisi based television station is eligible to apply for a grant not exceeding USD 90,000.
A Tbilisi based print media outlet is eligible to apply for a grant not exceeding USD 150,000.
A regional print media outlet is eligible to apply for a grant not exceeding USD 100,000.
A regional radio station is eligible to apply for a grant not exceeding USD 25,000.
A Tbilisi based radio is eligible to apply for a grant not exceeding USD 25,000.

The grants aim to allow media outlets to build on their achievements to date and further improve and expand production of public affairs content, vital for maintaining democratic discourse in Georgia and serving informational needs of their audiences. Upcoming parliamentary elections should be one of the key themes of the content produced.

The applicants are required to present a revenue generation plan – to show how production of proposed content will lead to increased income from advertising and sponsorship to gradually substitute grant funding. The applicants need to describe how they will measure increase and demographic change in audience, which advertisers they will target and which strategies they will employ to capture their attention.

IREX is willing to consider applications for a grant from media outlets, which, while implementing G-MEDIA funded projects, have demonstrated commitment to press freedoms and highest professional standards, endured both market and political pressures, and excelled in providing quality content to their audiences; have made every effort to make their ownership and finances transparent to public and provided their employees with higher degree of editorial independence; provided public with forum for quality discussions of topics of high societal importance; have shown greater creativity and employed non-traditional approaches, including use of new media, for expansion and growth; have shown greater care and efficiency in managing funds provided by donors as well as their own financial resources; have shown concern and care for the professional development of their employees, supported ethical practices and encouraged out-of-box thinking.

Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate results they have achieved (audience numbers, generated revenue, improved distribution, etc) with the help of G-MEDIA funding in 2011-2012 and explain clearly how they plan to maintain them and build on them with the help of a new grant – for example, further improve production quality, improve reach, diversify content and re-package it for various platforms, broaden audience, diversify revenue sources, use new media tools and interactive features in innovative ways, etc. The proposed activities should feed into media outlet’s overall development strategy and enhance its prospects of becoming self-sustaining.

Content produced as a result of the above new grant will be uploaded on the G-MEDIA Multimedia Platform in addition to being published/broadcast/posted by respective subgrantees through their own platforms. This approach will help to increase the audience and impact of the content produced.

This Call for Applications will be followed by an Open Door Day which will take place in IREX office on March 30, 2012, at 11:00 am. At Open Door Day interested applicants will be provided with more detailed guidance on the application process.

The winners of the competition shall receive technical assistance from IREX in the form of customized consulting and coaching.

Subgrantees will receive consultations on media law from GYLA and on multi-media approaches from IREX/G-MEDIA’s Senior New Media Manager.

Applications should be received no later than April 11, 2012, to be considered for a subgrant. Questions regarding this grant application should be submitted to Tatuli Gogadze no later than April 10, 2012. See additional contact information below.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications

The G-MEDIA Grants Committee will review the applications against the following criteria:

Organizational Capacity

1. Degree of editorial independence the media outlet exercises;

2. Degree of financial and ownership transparency;

3. Proven commitment of the applicant to the highest journalistic standards;

4. Potential to grow and improve, assessed on the basis of past performance;

5. Ability of the organization to efficiently handle proposed workload.

Quality of Proposal

1. How important the proposed program is for Georgian society;

2. Effective use of new media tools;

3. The applicant found ways to engage audiences;

4. Feasibility of plan aimed at making program self-sustaining;

5. Efficiency use of resources requested from IREX;

Expected Impact

How wide reaching program’s impact is;
Contribution of the program in raise of professional standards in the industry.

This request for grant application does not commit IREX to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application not funded or contract for the services or supplies described herein. IREX reserves the right to reject any of the applications received. In issuing this Grants Application document, IREX is not acting as an agent or on behalf of USAID and USAID will not be party of any resulting Subgrant from this grants program.

Please download the Grant Application - RFA Public Affairs Program for grantees Eng Grant APP Part2

Please send signed and sealed application (scanned, in PDF format) electronically to Tatuli Gogadze at tgogadze@irex.ge Please request confirmation of the receipt after submission. Alternatively, you can submit hard copy of the application, signed and sealed, accompanied with electronic copy recorded on CD (scanned, in PDF format) to Tatuli Gogadze at the address below:

IREX G-MEDIA Program

6, Marjanishvili Street

Tbilisi 0102, Georgia

Office: +(995 32) 291 26 08

Fax: +(995 32) 229 19 05

About IREX

The IREX Mission

Foster democracy in transitioning societies
Strengthen and help internationalize educational, nongovernmental, and media organizations
Support the highest-quality research in the social sciences and humanities
Identify and train the next generation of leaders by working together with universities, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, governments, and corporations

About G-MEDIA Program

Please download the Grant Application – RFA Public Affairs Program for grantees Eng Grant APP Part2

New Media Coordinator vacancy

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:51:33 +0000

JOB OPPORTUNITY

International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX)

Position: New Media Coordinator

Start Date: Immediately

Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

About IREX

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of $60 million and a staff of 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.

Summary of Program

Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability Program (G-MEDIA), funded by USAID, is to improve the public’s access to a range of sources of news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels. The program will seek to raise the quality and diversity of media content and broaden delivery channels; improve professionalism, including through university journalism education; depoliticize the regulatory environment and strengthen journalists’ capacity to address infringements to their rights and breaches of professional ethics; and improve the viability of media outlets.

Summary of Position:

The New Media Coordinator is a Tbilisi-based full time position and reports to the Chief of Party. New Media Coordinator will be responsible for serving as main point of contact in G-MEDIA on all new media-related matters.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Description of Responsibilities:

Counsel G-MEDIA senior management on new media-related needs and developments relevant to G-MEDIA implementation;
Organize annual Media Innovation Camps with participation of media managers and journalists from conventional media, citizen journalists, journalism students, bloggers and technology activists and in cooperation with G-MEDIA resource partners:

Select topics
Select participants
Select trainers
Select teaching approaches
Supervise implementation of training sessions and lectures
Plan and implement various contests for participants to stimulate innovative thinking
Design follow-up activities for time periods in between annual Innovation Camps to encourage participants to apply new knowledge to practice

Organize various learning experiences and environments for G-MEDIA’s diverse beneficiaries. The formats include but are not limited to to in-house consulting, group training sessions, Information Sessions/lectures, field trips, study tours, demo classes, contests and presentations.
Assist international and local trainers and G-MEDIA resources partners in preparing training modules and materials and advise them on local needs and conditions.
Conduct trainings for various groups of beneficiaries.
Provide in-house consulting to selected beneficiaries.
Provide technical advice on new media applications to G-MEDIA beneficiaries and partners.
Assess media organizations in terms of use of new media. The assessment will indicate the weak points and opportunities and will show the effect of that to the whole organization performance.
To follow up the development of G-MEDIA partners websites and prepare reports on how to improve the online content and services.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field; research products and enhancements and their applicability to G-MEDIA and its partners’ and beneficiaries’ need.
Assist Senior Journalism Education Adviser and Journalism Education Coordinator with incorporation of new media component in the curricula of journalism schools.
Counsel G-MEDIA local implementing partners (GYLA and TIG) on new media tools and applications.
Provide consulting to GIPA CSJMM on how social networks and other new communication means can be used for e-learning and help with development of e-learning system.
In cooperation with Grants/Finance Manager and G-MEDIA Senior Management designate money from New Media Technology Fund and Skills and Cross Platform Journalism Grants for various projects (assist in development of Call for Proposals, in assessing applications, preparing contracts with the winners and monitoring of project implementation).
Work closely with the recipient of Media Portal Support Grant.
In cooperation with G-MEDIA Media Literacy Consultant develop a strategy of integrating social media and other new media tools in media literacy component.
Write monthly reports about the in-house new media-related activities and the activities that are provided to G-MEDIA partners and beneficiaries.
Travel to Georgia’s regions and outside Georgia as required.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

University degree, Masters degree preferable;
Fluency in Georgian and English languages, both spoken and written;
High degree of computer literacy;
Good understanding of social media, citizen journalism and other new media platforms and tools;
Good understanding of opportunities that technological advances create for media;
Familiarity with Georgian media landscape;
Contacts with communities of bloggers, programmers and technology activists in Georgia;
Journalistic experience/background in media preferable;
Teaching and training experience;
Strong event management skills;
Strong presentation skills;
Innovative thinking;
Strong problem solving skills;
Self-motivated and result oriented;
Team player.

Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to IREX/Georgia at resumes@irex.ge no later than Friday, 6:00 pm, March 30, 2012. Please indicate name of vacancy in a subject line.

2012-2013 University Administration Support Program Announced

eka — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:21:51 +0000

IREX has announced a new round of 2012- 2013 University Administration Support Program. The University Administration Support Program provides competitively awarded short-term fellowships for mid and senior-level university administrators to spend approximately eight weeks with counterparts at respected US public universities to work on specific university administration reform projects.

This year eligible universities from Georgia are:

Akaki Tsereteli State University (Kutaisi)
Gori University
Ilia State University
Sokhumi State University
Tbilisi State University
Telavi State University

Appliaction deadline is Tuesday, May 1st, 2012. For details please follow the link: http://irex.ge/programs/education/uasp