Resident Journalism Advisor Location: Central African Republic

GENERAL FUNCTION:

The Resident Journalism Advisor (RJA) will train the local team of new journalists and correspondents at Radio Zereda from the CRCN project. The RJA will support Radio Zereda and its correspondents to produce daily humanitarian radio programs and mentor a broad-network of journalists and correspondents in Obo, as per the scope of the project. More specifically, the RJA will play a vital role in the implementation of this groundbreaking project in CAR in the following capacities:

• Design, implement and oversee all aspects of a regular training and mentoring program for local reporters and correspondents working with on the CRCN project.

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with the local radio station and the Network for Community Radios, including ensuring that the programming is broadcast and the early warning network functions appropriately.

• Support Radio Zereda and the Network for Community Radios in the production of high quality humanitarian radio programming in the most appropriate language(s) covering key themes including but not limited to services available to affected communities, health, registration, or protection issues.

• Compile regular and timely rundowns of the humanitarian radio programs and messages relayed through the early warning network for distribution to the wider humanitarian community through the Humanitarian Media Liaison Officer (HMLO) from the HIF project.

• In close coordination with the HMLO project, liaise with relevant humanitarian agencies in the production of humanitarian news and information to disseminate important messages, news and information for affected communities (e.g. regarding food/water/shelter material distribution points, medical facilities and mobile media clinics, registration processes, announcements, etc.), as required.

• Coordinate with the HMLO to ensure a smooth link between humanitarian activities and the production of humanitarian information.

• Prepare and assemble materials for monthly and quarterly reports, in compliance with donor guidelines, including documenting achievements and challenges for Internews learning purposes, as required.

• Ensure efficient coordination and complementarity with the other Internews’ projects and partners in CAR, as required.

• Support the Project Director in developing and devising new directions and opportunities to support local independent media in region.

• Be proactive and produce regular materials (i.e. blog posts, photos, podcast…) documenting the live of the project for reporting purposes, as required.

• Liaise with international media and promote Internews’ work, as required.

• Any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (must have all)

• Extensive experience in broadcast training and mentoring.

• Extensive experience in facilitation and training using hands-on participatory approaches.

• Fluency in spoken and written French and English.

• Extensive experience working in relief operations in challenging environments, preferably in Sub Saharan Africa.

• Fluency in use of digital field recording equipment, basic studio equipment and software, such as Adobe Audition and/or CoolEdit Pro.

• Demonstrated skills in partnership/stakeholder management.

• Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and a highly fluid environment.

• Good interpersonal and networking skills to liaise authoritatively with figures from the local media community and the international aid sector.

• Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and create programming accordingly.

• An understanding of the vision/mission, core values and objectives of Internews.

• Understanding of and passion for the area of communications with disaster-affected communities.

• Excellent communication and reporting skills, both written and oral.

• Excellent time management and the ability to prioritize a heavy workload under pressure.

• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.

• Willingness to work in demanding, stressful, and, at times, dangerous situations under difficult living conditions with respect for basic security rules.

• Psychological resilience and a sense of humor.

• Relevant university degree.

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector including the UN cluster system and capacity to train reports on the humanitarian system.

• Knowledge of citizen journalism and familiarity with ways to leverage social media will be an asset, as will knowledge and experience of mapping and crowd-sourcing software (i.e. Ushahidi and Open Street Map) and mobile technology software (i.e. FrontlineSMS and Freedom Fone).

More About Internews’ projects in CAR

In September 2011, Internews in CAR was the first recipient of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) “Communication for Peace Building” priority grant program, which supports innovative practice and research designed to increase understanding of how communication flows and technology can best be leveraged to improve the practice of peace-building. Internews is also the lead for the learning group for the first round of grant recipients. The project, “Mobile2Radio: Connecting Local Media, Humanitarian Actors and Communities through Innovative Communication Flows”,works with FrontlineSMS and UNOCHA to connect and research the relationship between humanitarian agencies and local media.

In November 2011, Internews Europe was awarded a new grant for additional programming in CAR through the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) to run “Integrating Local Media and Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) into Humanitarian Response”, a project that will start simultaneously to the CRCN one. Also working with FrontlineSMS and UNOCHA, and also partnering with Usahidi, the HIF project will set up an innovative system that will foster a bounded network of trusted local media organizations to gather real-time first-hand information from affected populations to create a two-way communication flow with humanitarians. This system, managed by a Humanitarian Media Liaison Officer (HMLO), will eventually improve emergency response, community participation and community resilience.

Internews in CAR

Starting in 2010, in advance of a national election, Internews began working in CAR to improve the quality of media, especially local radio stations, to report more effectively on human rights and governance issues in partnership with Mercy Corps. Training was provided to the staff of almost all community radio stations and CAR’s national radio station, as well as to communications students from the National University of Bangui in a six-month training program. In 2011 Internews created a unique network connecting all 15 community radio stations in CAR, participating in the other two Internews projects in CAR. The Association of Journalists for Human Rights, a local organization founded in December 2010 at one of the training sessions organized by Internews, runs the network. It connects the stations with one other and enables humanitarian agencies to quickly exchange information with communities throughout the country.

How to apply:

TO APPLY

Please visit Internews' website to apply:

https://sj.tbe.taleo.net/SJ11/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=INTERNEWS&...

Or http://www.internews.org/about/employment/default.shtm

EOE M/F/D/V