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Project Director, Global Digital Media and Access to Information Project

Internews Europe

Project Director

-Global Digital Media and Access to Information Project-

Job Description

Job Title: Project Director, Global Digital Media and Access to Information Project

Reports to: Director of Programmes, Internews Europe

Location: London

Deadline: January 15th 2012

Starting Date: January 2012

Duration: 18 months

BACKGROUND:

Internews is an international media development organisation whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard.

Internews Europe is implementing an 18-month project aiming at strengthening the professionalism and availability of independent media and information across the key global regions of the Middle East, Africa , Asia and Eurasia. It will be undertaking this through the strategic deployment of a range of information technologies and the targeted capacity building of a range of key local and regional actors, including journalists and local partner organisations.

GENERAL FUNCTION:

The Project Director is responsible for the development, management, (programmatic and financial) and coordination of the Global Digital Media and Access to Information Programme.

• Overall Project Management; provide leadership and direction for the implementation of all project activities ensuring that the project’s goals are achieved while improving effectiveness and maximizing impact;

• Team Management: Direct the efforts of a team of new information technologies experts, web developers , journalism consultants, trainers and mentors in order to assure that high quality standards of professional training and related new media tools are delivered according to project commitments;

o Online tools Delivery: Manage an ICT Project Manager (responsible for the delivery of ICT components) by feeding in strategic input about needs, impact and sustainability.

o Adoption of online tools: Manage the organization of localization, testing and training design activities.

• Manage relations with project partners and beneficiaries: negotiate and manage contracts, supervise and monitor the implementation of activities, ensure smooth communication with all parties involved ;

• Trainings: Design, organise and supervise trainings for journalists, and local partners.

• Content Monitoring: ensure that on-line content is in line with professional standards of journalism and editorial guidelines;

• Financial Oversight: ensure that financial and administrative processes are controlled and compliant with organisational and donor requirements; assist partners as needed in financial reporting;

• Local partners capacity building: provide organizational development support to local partners and beneficiaries in each country as appropriate; mentoring of local partners staffs through strong management, specialized trainings, upgraded resource materials and tools, and effective feedback;

• Coordination of project activities and partners: work closely with Internews Europe project directors working in the same field and Internews Network regional management, media partners and institutions, and relevant organisations to collaborate and to leverage resources where possible;

• Official Correspondence: prepare or oversee the production of all official communications, briefings and reports to donors and partners as required;

• Regional and in-country environment and challenges: maintain a thorough knowledge of the issues affecting the independent media sector and information space . Maintain tight relationships with the media sector, journalists, and bloggers and a general understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing stakeholders in each target country.

• Representation: represent Internews at all external events including meetings, roundtables and conferences with government officials, partner organizations and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each necessary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential task. Necessary

• Minimum 7-year experience managing international media and development projects; ability to plan, set goals, monitor progress and evaluate results;

• Experience managing partnerships and teams of up to 5 people;

• Extensive experience working in challenging information environments ;

• High levels of judgment on security related issues ;

• Knowledge of new media and civil society organizations structures and as well as non-profit operations;

• Excellent understanding of new media platforms , social media, crowdsourcing, online advocacy, online volunteer engagement, digital security issues and their relationship to freedom of expression and access to information ;

• International experience in journalism training and production or in supervising and developing media training and production programmes;

• Experience working with or managing ICT Project Managers, in participating in content and testing activities of ICT components.

• Strong critical thinking and writing skills; excellent communication skills;

• Experience creating and managing budgets;

• Proven interpersonal and networking skills with international organisations and donors.

• Willingness to spend time in physically and emotionally demanding environments.

• Good knowledge of one or more of key global regions (Middle East, Africa , Asia and Eurasia) of the project.

Desirable

• Language skills a decisive plus.

• Proven experience in designing and commissioning online content platforms, particularly open source software systems.

• Knowledge of media research and monitoring methodology;

CONDITIONS:

• Full time – 18 months

• Starting date - January 2012

• Type of contract : Consultancy

• Benefits: international pay package

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Some regional travel will be required by the candidate who will need to show strong personal balance and high flexibility. In some locations, safety issues, a lack of adequate heating, air conditioning, electricity, hot water, phone lines and reliable transportation infrastructure are among other challenges.

TO APPLY:

• Please send your application file (resume in English of no more than 3 pages, motivation letter and the names and contacts of three referees) to jobs@internews.eu

• Reference to mention: “PD – GDM” and name in the subject line

• Deadline for applications: January 15th 2012

• Incoming Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis after January 4th and strong candidates contacted immediately.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.

How to apply:

TO APPLY:

• Please send your application file (resume in English of no more than 3 pages, motivation letter and the names and contacts of three referees) to jobs@internews.eu

• Reference to mention: “PD – GDM” and name in the subject line

• Deadline for applications: January 15th 2012

• Incoming Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis after January 4th and strong candidates contacted immediately.