Senior Media Advisor

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Internews seeks a Senior Media Advisor (SMA) for media support programs in Southeast Asia. The SMA is responsible for technical media and journalism aspects of Internews projects and will work closely with the respective project leaders to achieve project objectives. Project activities include supporting Internews’ media partners/grantees in developing and implementing audience research, newsroom and content strategies, training and mentoring editors, reporters, citizen journalists, civil society communicators, and media start-ups. While reporting to the Country Director/Chief of Party, the Senior Media Advisor will also work closely with the Senior Program Manager (SPM) to provide technical journalism support to Internews’ projects relevant to the targeted geographical area. The SMA will lead a team of technical journalism and media professionals who include trainers, digital security technologists, media research and business officers, as well as short-term consultants hired for the portfolio projects.

LOGISTICS

This position will be based in Southeast Asia. The preference is to fill this position as an internal hire within Internews.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position, with an expected term of one year.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Act as the first point of journalism reference for all Internews’ activities.
• Lead Internews training and capacity-building activities: research, materials preparation, developing curriculum, implementation of roundtable discussions, seminars, and training workshops.
• Supervise a Training Manager and other training and capacity-building staff and consultants.
• Manage training and monitor activity budgets, as applicable.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of issues affecting both the media community and the media development community in the region, including various security and geopolitical factors.
• Provide technical support, guidance, and mentoring to media partners.
• Provide technical oversight of sub-awards and mentoring to partners, including quality assurance, reporting, and M&E compliance.
• Work with Internews partners and grantees on media and audience research.
• Mentor editors, reporters, and trainees in story production.
• Manage and oversee consultant mentors for relevant activities.
• Ensure all relevant project deliverables are completed according to agreed timelines and budgets.
• Build and maintain relationships with national and local media outlets including digital and mobile platforms.
• Build and maintain relationships with counterparts from local media development organizations.
• Strengthen and oversee curriculum development, training and mentoring activities across Internews’ and partners activities.
• Develop the terms of references for any consultants carrying out specific components of capacity building work; liaise with the Director of Finance and HR in drawing up consultant contracts and tracking consultant performance and deliverables through to final payment of consultant invoices.
• In collaboration with the Country Director/COP/Senior Program Manager and Internews HQ Operational Security Staff, maintain awareness of risk and security during the implementation of the project. Be proactive in identifying areas of potential security and geopolitical risk. Ensure that all activities comply with Internews security protocols and processes and liaise regularly with HQ Global Security and Operations teams as needed.
• Ensure timely reporting of activities to the Country Director/COP/SPM and effective collaboration with relevant Internews staff, including MEL team, in reporting and learning activities as required.
• Provide input to briefings and other communications activities as required.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• University degree or equivalent lived/professional experience.
• A minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience, including experience leading media trainers and technical media teams in a similar role.
• Prior experience in both broadcast and print journalism.
• Experience of leading media trainers and technical media team in a similar role.
• Experience in journalism training and curriculum development/lesson planning and the ability to organize effective remote/online training sessions.
• Familiarity with regional media development initiatives, Freedom of Expression, and Press Freedom issues.
• Relevant regional experience.
• Advanced spoken and written English for reporting and communications.
• Experience working on USG donor-funded projects a significant asset.
• Strong critical thinking and writing skills; excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to analyze and interpret media trends.
• Social media literacy, with an understanding of key platforms and user trends in the region.
• Thorough understanding of the technical, political, and social issues specific to the region.
• Proven interpersonal and networking skills with international organizations and donors.
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural team: understanding of organizational roles, practices, and responsibilities