TOR - MEDIA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT ON AFRICA CREDIT RATING AGENCY (AFCRA)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/OSF/ MPIC/06 /2025: MEDIA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT ON AFRICA CREDIT RATING AGENCY (AFCRA)

1. Background of the Assignment:

At its 28th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly (AU) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2017, the Assembly, through Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.631 (XXVIII), directed the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to provide support to AU Member States in the field of credit ratings. Following the decision the APRM proceeded to develop a policy framework to guide the needed support to member states.

The purpose of the framework is to provide strategic and operational support to the Member States in the pre-rating preparatory phase, managing the rating exercise and in the implementation of post-rating admissible recommendations. To achieve this purpose, the policy framework outlines several objectives. The first is to sensitize various sectors on the implications of the sovereign credit ratings on both domestic-rated institutions and instruments. Second, to support Member States in undertaking periodic financial, political, economic and social impact analysis and to prepare and make available reliable data for use by CRAs to avoid estimations that prejudice Member States being reviewed. Third, the framework seeks to support Member States’ analysis and evaluation of the ratings produced by the CRAs and their impact through the generation of independent opinions. Additionally, the policy framework seeks to support member states in articulating and establishing the architecture for managing and regulating CRAs through existing public institutions. Fourth, the policy framework guides the establishment of a network of experts and practitioners to improve the sharing of best practices in international sovereign credit ratings. This network also supports the harmonization of the regulation of the credit rating industry on the continent. Finally, the policy framework seeks to provide technical support to governments in the implementation of admissible recommendations while providing technical support to Member States to establish a regulatory environment for licensing and supervising CRAs operating in the respective Member States.

The APRM has since established partnerships with various non-state and private sector institutions. Among these institutions is the Open Society Foundation (OSF) which has partnered with the APRM and is providing financial support to strengthen the human capital for delivery of the framework. In this regard, the APRM seeks to appoint Media and Public Information consultant: APRM Support on Credit Ratings to support the delivery of the programme mandate.

The Media and Public Information Consultant: APRM Support on Credit Ratings shall be located in the Directorate of Governance and Specialized Reporting and shall, in addition to other key research roles, be responsible for support the Lead Researcher’s work on sovereign credit research and analysis.

1. Objectives of the Assignment

The consultancy aims to:

1. Provide support in creating and disseminating media content related to APRM’s activities on sovereign credit ratings.
2. Enhance public understanding of credit ratings and their impact on African economies.
3. Strengthen the APRM’s media presence and outreach through effective communication strategies.

• Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director, the consultant will:

1. Content Creation:

• Assist in drafting press releases, articles, and blogs related to APRM’s sovereign credit rating reviews.
• Develop content for APRM’s social media platforms, ensuring timely updates on relevant activities and events.
• Support the production of multimedia content, including videos, infographics, and newsletters.

1. Media Engagement:

• Monitor media coverage on sovereign credit ratings and APRM’s related initiatives.
• Support in maintaining relationships with journalists and media houses, including creating and updating media contact lists.
• Assist in organizing media briefings and press conferences.

1. Public Information Support:

• Research and compile relevant data and insights to support public awareness campaigns.
• Coordinate the dissemination of APRM reports and publications to stakeholders and the public.
• Contribute to the preparation of presentations, speeches, and information materials for APRM events.

1. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track and analyze the performance of APRM’s media and communication efforts, including social media metrics.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on media activities and public engagement outcomes.

1. Qualifications and Skills- Mandatory Requirements

• A degree or current enrollment in a program in Business studies, Journalism, Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills with an ability to adapt content for various platforms and audiences.
• Knowledge of social media management and digital communication tools.
• Interest in governance, economic development, and African affairs.
• Excellent research and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.

1. Duration and Location

• The consultancy is for a period of 8 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs.
• The position will be based at the APRM Secretariat in Midrand, South Africa. Remote working arrangements may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

• The APRM Secretariat will bear the cost of a return air ticket (economy class) and, in the event of travel to other countries as part of the assignment, pay DSA at standard UN rates for the country of work. Thus, all travel for APRM business within and outside South Africa shall be at the cost of the APRM, including costs for Visas but will not include costs for medical insurance which may be provided for travel where permissible. The Consultant will be covered under the terms of the APRM business travel insurance policy as underwritten by AIG South Africa Ltd.

1. Benefits

• Opportunity to gain practical experience in media and public information within an African Union entity.
• Exposure to high-level engagements and discussions on sovereign credit ratings and African governance.
• Monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses.

• Key Deliverables

The consultant is expected to collaboratively execute the following tasks in support of the AfCRA Communication Campaign:

1. Identify and tailor key messages from AfCRA’s mandate, objectives, and feasibility findings specifically for State and Public Institutions as the primary audience.
2. Synthesize AfCRA-related technical content and draft excerpts for use in policy briefs, opinion articles, press releases, and audiovisual materials aimed at public sector stakeholders.
3. Identify and strategically utilize contemporary dissemination platforms (e.g., national broadcasters, institutional newsletters, public service communication channels, webinars).
4. Participate in periodic reviews of the dissemination strategy to refine content, outreach methods, and stakeholder engagement approaches.
5. Engage public institutions to solicit feedback on the relevance, clarity, and feasibility of AfCRA’s proposed role and recommendations for the African credit rating ecosystem.
6. Conduct media monitoring to track references to AfCRA in public discourse, especially among national institutions, and report trends and sentiment.
7. Provide administrative and coordination support to the APRM/AfCRA Communications Team and designated officials during the planning and execution of campaign activities.
8. Assist in developing and executing AfCRA’s Communication and Dissemination Strategy, including content for digital campaigns, visibility materials, and public sector outreach.
9. Support the design, editing, and formatting of communication materials to ensure high-quality, accessible, and visually appealing content aligned with AU/APRM branding guidelines.

• Technical Evaluation Criteria

IX)General Information

Eligibility criteria, and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Union Procurement Manual Version April 2024 dated. For clarification only interested consultants may obtain further information at the address E-mail: tenderinfo@aprm-au.org , seven (7) days before the tender closing date. All responses shall be published on APRM website.

X). Mode of submission

The Technical & Financial proposal long side the relevant documents must be submitted via email at tender@aprm-au.org on or before 14^th July 2025 at 12 PM (SAST) on or before 14^th July 2025 at 12.00 PM(SAST). The financial proposal shall give a breakdown of all cost and shall be USD currency. Proposals shall be opened on 14^th July 2025 at 12.00 PM (SAST).

Submissions must be titled: PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/OSF/ MPIC/06 /2025: MEDIA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT ON AFRICA CREDIT RATING AGENCY (AFCRA)

All applications must be in writing, accompanied by relevant documents as prescribed in the evaluation criteria and addressed to:

Project Coordinator

African Peer Review Mechanism

Private Bag x09, Halfway House, 1685

Physical Address: 230 15th Street, Randjies Park, 1st Floor

Midrand, South Africa

Tel: +27 11 256 3400/01/29

Fax: +2711 256 3456

The documents must be submitted online/virtually via email at tender@aprm-au.org 

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