Trainer in Digital Safety for Journalists At Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression

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Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) is an independent non-governmental, non-profit organization. We seek to build a society that guarantees freedom of expression and belief, human rights, and justice. Our vision is a democratic world based on justice, freedom, equality, and respect for human rights and dignity.

Within the framework of the Media and Freedoms Program, and as part of its efforts to strengthen the technical capacities and digital protection of Syrian journalists, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression seeks to implement a training program entitled:

“Digital Safety for Journalists”

Accordingly, SCM announces its intention to contract a Trainer to prepare and deliver an in-person (physical) training targeting 30 participants, in accordance with the Terms of Reference below.

This training aims to strengthen the capacities of Syrian journalists in digital safety, security auditing, and mechanisms for responding to digital threats
Terms of Reference

Purchase of services (Trainer)

  1. Training Title:

Digital Safety for Journalist

  1. General Objective:

To strengthen safety standards and protection mechanisms for journalists facing digital harassment and digital attacks by enhancing capacities in digital security and conducting individual security audit processes.

  1. The Detailed Objectives:
  • Conduct three training workshops (3 days * 5hours for each group), covering at a minimum:
    1. Enhancing the safe use of digital platforms and social media.
    2. Developing skills in protecting sensitive data, personal information, and journalistic sources.
    3. Promoting the safe, responsible, and ethical use of artificial intelligence tools in journalism.
  • Enhancing the capabilities of targeted trainees in:
    1. Recognizing digital risks and threats related to their work.
    2. Strengthening journalists’ digital security and safety capabilities through practical exercises based on real-world scenarios.
    3. Conducting individual digital security audits for participants to identify vulnerabilities and risks, provide practical recommendations for addressing them, and equip them with the necessary tools and software.
    4. Developing mechanisms for protection and response to harassment, threats, smear campaigns, and digital attacks.
    5. Assisting participants in developing personal plans to improve their digital security and protect their accounts, devices, communications, and journalistic sources
  1. Expected Deliverables:
  • Developing a comprehensive training package on digital safety and security auditing for journalists, including theoretical content, practical exercises, and assessment tools.
  • Preparing a detailed training schedule and timeline, outlining the topics, sessions, activities, and duration of each session.
  • Conducting three training workshops, with three training days per group and five hours per day.
  • Conducting individual digital security audits for the targeted participants, identifying weaknesses and risks, and providing practical recommendations for addressing them.
  • Preparing and submitting a final report documenting the activities implemented, the number of participants, the results achieved, the challenges, recommendations, and the outputs of the pre- and post-training assessments.
  1. Target Group:
  • 30 participants divided into three groups.
  • Syrian journalists from different media sectors (broadcast, radio, print, digital media).
  • From different geographical areas across Syria.
  1. Required Qualifications and Skills:
  • At least a university degree in a relevant field (preferably digital security, computer science, information security, or a related field).
  • At least five years of experience in the field of digital security.
  • Demonstrated experience in delivering interactive training for journalists and/or civil society workers.
  • Ability to simplify complex concepts and transform them into practical training content.
  • Excellent training skills, including preparation of training packages, effective communication, provision of feedback, conducting evaluations, and report writing.

The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression is an independent, non-governmental, and non-profit civil society organization. It works to build a society that guarantees freedom of expression and belief, human rights, and access to justice. Its vision is a democratic world based on justice, freedom, and equality, respecting human dignity and rights.

Within the framework of the Media and Freedoms Program, and in its endeavor to enhance the technical capabilities of Syrian journalists and their digital protection, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression seeks to implement a training program entitled:

Digital safety for journalists

Accordingly, the center announces its desire to contract with a trainer to prepare and implement an in-person (physical) training targeting 30 participants, in accordance with the terms of reference listed below.

This training aims to enhance the capabilities of Syrian journalists in the field of digital safety, security auditing, and mechanisms for dealing with digital threats.

Terms of Reference for Training

1. Training Name:

Digital safety for journalists

2. General objective:

Strengthening safety standards and protection mechanisms for journalists facing harassment and digital attacks by enhancing digital security capabilities and conducting individual audits.

3. Detailed objectives:

  • Conduct three training workshops (three days * five hours per group) covering at least:
  1. Promoting the safe use of digital platforms and social media sites.
  2. Developing skills in protecting sensitive data, personal information, and journalistic sources.
  3. Promoting the safe, responsible, and ethical use of artificial intelligence tools in journalistic work.
  • Enhancing the capabilities of the targeted trainees in:
  1. Digital risks and threats associated with their work.
  2. Enhancing the capabilities of journalists in the field of digital security and safety through practical training based on realistic scenarios.
  3. Conducting individual digital security audits for participants, with the aim of identifying weaknesses and risks, providing practical recommendations for addressing them, and supplying them with the necessary tools and software.
  4. Developing mechanisms for protection and response to harassment, threats, smear campaigns, and digital attacks.
  5. Helping participants develop personal plans to improve their digital security and protect their accounts, devices, communications, and journalistic sources.

4. Expected outputs:

  • Preparing a comprehensive training package on digital safety and security auditing for journalists, including theoretical content, practical exercises, and assessment tools.
  • Prepare a detailed schedule and timetable for the training, outlining the topics, sessions, activities, and the time allocated to each session.
  • Three training workshops will be conducted, with three training days for each group and five hours per day.
  • Conduct individual digital security audits of targeted participants, identify weaknesses and risks, and provide practical recommendations for addressing them.
  • Preparing and submitting a final report that documents the activities carried out, the number of participants, the results achieved, the challenges, the recommendations, and the outputs of the pre- and post-evaluation.

5. Target group for training:

  1. 30 participants divided into three groups.
  2. Syrian journalists from various media outlets (visual, audio, written, digital).
  3. From various regions of Syrian geography.

6. Qualifications and skills required for training:

  1. At least a university degree in a relevant field (preferably in digital security, computer science, information security or any related field)
  2. At least five years of experience in the field of digital security.
  3. Proven experience in delivering interactive training for journalists or civil society workers.
  4. The ability to simplify complex concepts and transform them into practical training content.
  5. Excellent training skills include preparing training materials, effective communication, providing feedback, conducting assessments, and writing reports.

How to apply

equired documents:

CV proving the required experience and qualifications.At least two references from previous work.Financial offer including:The required Financial compensation.The validity of the offer (availability period – offer validity date)

  • Application Link:
https://forms.gle/yqWMrqvHMK2BVdbN6
  • Email for any questions or explanations

journalist@scm.org

  • Evaluation criteria:

Experience (65%)Financial offer (35%)

  • Contract duration:

Until complete execution of the obligations of the contract

  • Deadline for submission of the offers:

10th August 2026 (5:00 P.M Paris time)

  • Expected starting date of execution:

17th August 2026

Documents required for application:

A CV detailing the required experience and qualifications. At least two work references. A financial offer including: the desired compensation. Offer validity period (work duration – expiry date).

  • Application link:

https://forms.gle/yqWMrqvHMK2BVdbN6

  • Email for questions

journalist@scm.org

  • Evaluation criteria:

Experience and qualifications (65%) Financial offer (35%)

  • Contract duration:

Until the contract obligations are fully implemented

  • Application deadline:

August 10, 2026 (5 pm Paris time)

  • Expected start date for implementation:

August 17, 2026