Call for tender reference number: CA1C_OT_001
Publication date: September 24, 2025
Deadline for submission of bids: October 8, 2025, midnight (CET)
CONTEXT & OBJECTIVE
TRIAL International is a Geneva-based NGO that fights impunity for international crimes and supports victims in their pursuit of justice. We provide legal assistance, conduct investigations, and advocate for human rights alongside our partners.
From November 12 to December 19, 2025, former Congolese minister Roger Lumbala will be tried before the Paris Assize Court for crimes against humanity. This unprecedented trial in France represents a key moment in the fight against impunity for crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and will receive extensive media coverage.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Working closely with our communications and DRC program teams (all based in Geneva) and our partners, you will be the media focal point in Paris throughout the trial, with a daily presence at the Palais de Justice.
Your tasks will include:
- Implement the communication plan and disseminate key messages.
- Prepare press releases in coordination with our partners.
- Manage relationships with journalists present and identify new media opportunities.
- Coordinate and organize interviews with our spokespersons.
- Produce regular press reviews and a final report.
- Accompany two Congolese journalists invited to cover the trial.
For further details, please refer to the attached terms of reference.
CALENDAR
- Deadline for questions: September 30, 2025
- Deadline for submission of bids: October 8, 2025, midnight (CET)
- Consultant selection: October 23, 2025
- Duration of services: November 12 to December 19, 2025 (+ 2 days of preparation)
ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Participation in the call for tenders is open to all qualified candidates, whether individuals or legal entities, regardless of their nationality or place of residence. However, all candidates must meet the following criteria:
- The candidate must have the legal right to carry out the mission in Paris and to practice in France. They are solely responsible for ensuring that their situation complies with labor law and other applicable legislation.
- Excellent knowledge of the French media landscape and proven experience in media relations, ideally within a human rights organization.
- Perfect command of French and very good fluency in English, both spoken and written.
- Ability to popularize complex legal cases for a non-specialist audience.
- Proven experience coordinating with multiple international organizations/partners.
- Ability to work independently and remotely, maintaining fluid communication with various interlocutors (lawyers, attorneys, journalists, plaintiffs)
- Prior knowledge of the functioning of the Palais de Justice in Paris (accreditations, communications contacts, access rules) is an asset.
How to apply
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A natural or legal person may only submit one bid. If a natural or legal person submits more than one bid, all bids in which they participated will be excluded. Subcontracting is not permitted.
Please submit your proposal electronically to procurement@trialinternational.org with the subject line “Call for Tender No. CA1C_OT_001: Media Relations Consultant – Coverage of a Trial for International Crimes.”
Candidates may submit questions in writing to the following address: procurement@trialinternational.org until midnight (CET) on September 30. Please mention “Question – Call for Tenders No. CA1C_OT_001” in the subject line of the email. TRIAL International is under no obligation to provide clarifications for requests received after this date. Responses to questions will generally be sent by email. However, if a question is deemed relevant to all candidates, the response will be published on the website.
The submitted file must consist of a technical offer, a financial offer and the required administrative documents, sent in three separate files:
Technical offer:
- Detailed CV.
- Examples of press releases and reviews distributed.
- Two professional references (name, position, email, telephone).
Financial offer :
- The offer must be formulated as a global, fixed-price offer. It must be accompanied by a detailed breakdown of the various costs (remuneration, travel expenses, etc.), provided for information purposes for the evaluation. Prices must be expressed in euros and include all applicable taxes.
Administrative documents
- Registration of the legal entity or proof of registration as self-employed in accordance with the applicable legislation in the country of residence.
- Signed Offer Declaration Form.
All correspondence and documents relating to the call for tenders must be written in French. Supporting documents may be written in another language. Prices must be expressed in euros and include all applicable taxes.
SELECTION CRITERIA
TRIAL International is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair public procurement process. All candidates will be treated equally and the evaluation process will be conducted.
The following selection criteria will be applied to submitted applications:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Experience and expertise in media relations in the human rights or judicial sector (40%).
- Quality of work examples provided (20%).
- Relevance of the profile and suitability to the needs of the mission (20%).
- Relevance and competitiveness of the financial offer (20%).
TRIAL International will not be held responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by candidates in preparing and submitting their offers to TRIAL International. Any missing information or documentation may result in the rejection of the offer. Offers submitted by other means will not be considered. Late offers will be automatically rejected.