Research Development Coordinator

For many people around the world, access to reliable information is by no means a given. Nevertheless, impartial information is of crucial importance to all of us if we wish to survive and develop as human beings. Free Press Unlimited works to ensure that objective news coverage and information are and remain available to people the world over. Particularly in countries where there is little to no press freedom.

Across the globe, journalists and media pioneers have taken it on themselves to supply their communities with objective information. Free Press Unlimited actively supports these professionals in over forty countries, by offering them, among other things, trainings and temporary financial and material support, and by strengthening their professional capacity. So that as many people as possible gain and keep access to truly vital information.

We are currently seeking to hire a Research Development Coordinator who will set up and implement a functional Resource Development department within Free Press Unlimited and create (high impact) results in the field of resource development on the longer term. The Research Development Coordinator will work under the guidance of and will report to the Director of Policy & Programmes.

The core activities are:

Strategic vision:

• To develop and implement an annual work plan, along with targets and benchmarks;
• Advise Director P&P on a targeted approach key towards key organizations, institutions and individuals;
• Follow policy statements, parliamentary debates and industry trends in both the aid and philanthropy communities;
• Keep abreast of stakeholders, competitors and other peers, globally, per subject, and per country/region. Build relationships to encourage information sharing and joint advocacy. Identify possibilities for strategic partnership;
• Develop and promote shared understanding of Free Press Unlimited's competitive advantage in approach and expertise. Identify opportunities to emerge as a 'thought leader';
• Encourage synergy with communication efforts to ensure that key messages are reaching key stakeholders through appropriate methods;
• Encourage synergy with monitoring and evaluation efforts to capture success stories, best practices, lessons learned and replicatible tools and models;
• Provide ongoing mentoring to staff on related issues.

Proposal development:

• Devise and promote adherence to criteria for pursuing funding opportunities;
• Pre-position Free Press Unlimited prior to expected calls, including identifying needs for assessments, research, partnerships and other groundwork;
• Work with Management Team to assign clear roles and responsibilities including a designated proposal leader at start of proposal development;
• Interpret and communicate donor requirements, preferences and political considerations to Management Team and staff;
• Provide quality assurance during the proposal development process;
• Lead debrief after submissions to gather lessons learned towards improving future processes. Analyse trends in awards and rejections to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses;
• Supervise Resource Development Officer

We’re looking for an energetic and driven individual with the following qualifications and competencies:

• At least seven years of experience with donor relations, proposal development and fund raising within an international environment;
• Proven track record of successful award of new funding;
• Solid knowledge of international donors and procedures, including European and American governmental and non-governmental funders;
• Understanding of freedom of the press, media development, democratisation, civil society and/or similar issues;
• Existing network within the media development, international development, civil society and/or human rights community;
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, facilitation, decision-making and initiative;
• Clear written and oral communication skills, including diplomacy, presentation and persuasion;
• Native to near-native English proficiency required. Arabic, French or other relevant languages a plus;
• Academic degree in relevant field required. Advanced studies preferred.
• Ability to travel 30%.
• Decisiveness;
• Networking (sustains a network of people and organizations in the Netherlands and abroad in the fields of journalism, education and sustainable development, including ministries, embassies, NGOs, donors, broadcasters, media corporations and educational institutions;
• Communication skills;
• Organisational sensitivity;
• Teamwork (ability to build teams and gain support inside the organisation and generate strategic cooperation and create added value with external parties with shared objectives).

If you are interested in the above position, please send your motivation letter and CV in PDF format before August 24, 2013, to vacancies[AT]freepressunlimited[DOT]org citing Vacancy RDC in the subject line.

For more information please contact Leon Willems (+31 20 8000 411).
More details about Free Press Unlimited's work can be found on our website: www.freepressunlimited.org