Program Officer - Advancing Public Service Media - Ford Foundation Lagos
Program Officer
Advancing Public Service Media – West Africa
Freedom of Expression Unit
Education, Creativity & Free Expression
The Ford Foundation seeks to hire a dynamic, creative and innovative leader to serve as Program Officer for its Advancing Public Service Media initiative in West Africa.
The Office for West Africa’s strategy prioritizes the strengthening and rebuilding of economic and political governance in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, as the focus of its programming. Working through the Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government initiative, the strategy supports efforts that: 1). Strengthen the capacity of civil society to advocate for and demand higher quality governance, and 2). Build the competences, skills and capabilities of public service professionals to ensure stronger, smarter and more effective economic governance.
In addition, working through the Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights initiative, our strategy supports ongoing initiatives as well as new demonstration projects which mitigate the vulnerabilities of young people, especially girls to poor reproductive health, particularly HIV, through the integrated supply of: 1). appropriate sexuality and reproductive health and rights information; 2). youth-friendly reproductive health services; and 3). self efficacy/life skills and economic empowerment opportunities that they require to successfully manage sexual health risks, negotiate social and cultural norms, and meet their livelihood needs.
The Advancing Public Service Media initiative has recently been included in the strategy to encourage the use of the sub-region’s dynamic new and old media landscapes to deepen the Office for West Africa’s core goal of promoting good governance.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: In the context of the foundation’s primary work in advancing effective institutions and building transparent governance, the Program Officer will develop and manage a portfolio of grants and related activities focused on advancing public service media in West Africa.
The initiative will: 1). Promote fair practice and strengthen public service media both within and outside of the sub-region’s currently existing media platforms; 2) Support grantees to better engage with media to attain visibility, scale and impact, particularly with regard to good governance, anti-corruption and transparency work (funded through the office’s Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government initiative) and sexuality and reproductive health and rights education/information dissemination (through the office’s Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights initiative); 3). Innovatively stimulate the creation and wide dissemination of high-quality, independent, diverse, appropriate and targeted content that supports and deepens the impact of these two initiatives; and 4). Build strategic communications and investigative journalism skills, tools and practices of development stakeholders.
The principle focus of the grant making is to encourage the development of content and institutions that contribute to the effective engagement and impact of the field office strategy. This could include support for long and short film production, radio programming, (citizen) journalism, and the use of mobile phones and web-based media as essential tools in the office's social change strategies, or the development of distribution platforms and print or online destinations to serve as hubs of social justice content. The goal is to increase awareness, foster public debate and dialogue, promote learning, enhance public access and contribution to targeted campaigns, and assist in the emergence of an independent, journalistic and storytelling community committed to social justice content.
Working as part of the West Africa Program Team, the Program Officer is expected to identify potential grantees (governmental and non-governmental), solicit, review and respond to proposals, recommend and monitor grants and evaluate programming; and offer support and guidance as needed to actual and potential grantees. S/he should develop and maintain close working relationships with existing and potential grantees and with leaders in governments, the media, research institutions, civil society and other funding agencies. The Program Officer’s work will contribute to the office’s wider goals and as such s/he will work collaboratively and in tandem with other Lagos-based Program Officers. S/he will also collaborate with colleagues in New York and other Foundation officers to support regional and global networks and initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Substantive knowledge of the media field in West Africa and its potential in driving social change at scale. A good understanding of the role, power, and likely impact of digital innovation and social media in the emerging new media landscape, particularly in emerging markets such as Nigeria/West Africa. Appropriate educational background, including an advanced degree in journalism, media and development, the social sciences and/or public policy. Significant professional experience working to advance development/social change through diverse platforms in the media, public or non-governmental sectors. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in French an added advantage. Ability to conceptualize program ideas and strategies and translate them into practice. Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Target Date: Summer, 2012
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
To apply for the position please visit www.fordfoundation.org/employment. The application deadline is March 31, 2012.
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
Advancing Public Service Media – West Africa
Freedom of Expression Unit
Education, Creativity & Free Expression
The Ford Foundation seeks to hire a dynamic, creative and innovative leader to serve as Program Officer for its Advancing Public Service Media initiative in West Africa.
The Office for West Africa’s strategy prioritizes the strengthening and rebuilding of economic and political governance in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, as the focus of its programming. Working through the Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government initiative, the strategy supports efforts that: 1). Strengthen the capacity of civil society to advocate for and demand higher quality governance, and 2). Build the competences, skills and capabilities of public service professionals to ensure stronger, smarter and more effective economic governance.
In addition, working through the Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights initiative, our strategy supports ongoing initiatives as well as new demonstration projects which mitigate the vulnerabilities of young people, especially girls to poor reproductive health, particularly HIV, through the integrated supply of: 1). appropriate sexuality and reproductive health and rights information; 2). youth-friendly reproductive health services; and 3). self efficacy/life skills and economic empowerment opportunities that they require to successfully manage sexual health risks, negotiate social and cultural norms, and meet their livelihood needs.
The Advancing Public Service Media initiative has recently been included in the strategy to encourage the use of the sub-region’s dynamic new and old media landscapes to deepen the Office for West Africa’s core goal of promoting good governance.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: In the context of the foundation’s primary work in advancing effective institutions and building transparent governance, the Program Officer will develop and manage a portfolio of grants and related activities focused on advancing public service media in West Africa.
The initiative will: 1). Promote fair practice and strengthen public service media both within and outside of the sub-region’s currently existing media platforms; 2) Support grantees to better engage with media to attain visibility, scale and impact, particularly with regard to good governance, anti-corruption and transparency work (funded through the office’s Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government initiative) and sexuality and reproductive health and rights education/information dissemination (through the office’s Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights initiative); 3). Innovatively stimulate the creation and wide dissemination of high-quality, independent, diverse, appropriate and targeted content that supports and deepens the impact of these two initiatives; and 4). Build strategic communications and investigative journalism skills, tools and practices of development stakeholders.
The principle focus of the grant making is to encourage the development of content and institutions that contribute to the effective engagement and impact of the field office strategy. This could include support for long and short film production, radio programming, (citizen) journalism, and the use of mobile phones and web-based media as essential tools in the office's social change strategies, or the development of distribution platforms and print or online destinations to serve as hubs of social justice content. The goal is to increase awareness, foster public debate and dialogue, promote learning, enhance public access and contribution to targeted campaigns, and assist in the emergence of an independent, journalistic and storytelling community committed to social justice content.
Working as part of the West Africa Program Team, the Program Officer is expected to identify potential grantees (governmental and non-governmental), solicit, review and respond to proposals, recommend and monitor grants and evaluate programming; and offer support and guidance as needed to actual and potential grantees. S/he should develop and maintain close working relationships with existing and potential grantees and with leaders in governments, the media, research institutions, civil society and other funding agencies. The Program Officer’s work will contribute to the office’s wider goals and as such s/he will work collaboratively and in tandem with other Lagos-based Program Officers. S/he will also collaborate with colleagues in New York and other Foundation officers to support regional and global networks and initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Substantive knowledge of the media field in West Africa and its potential in driving social change at scale. A good understanding of the role, power, and likely impact of digital innovation and social media in the emerging new media landscape, particularly in emerging markets such as Nigeria/West Africa. Appropriate educational background, including an advanced degree in journalism, media and development, the social sciences and/or public policy. Significant professional experience working to advance development/social change through diverse platforms in the media, public or non-governmental sectors. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluency in French an added advantage. Ability to conceptualize program ideas and strategies and translate them into practice. Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Target Date: Summer, 2012
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
To apply for the position please visit www.fordfoundation.org/employment. The application deadline is March 31, 2012.
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
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