Media Capacity Development Officer

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) helps people to realize the benefits of their countries’ endowments of oil, gas and minerals. We do this through technical advice, advocacy, applied research, policy analysis and capacity development. We work with innovative agents of change within government ministries, civil society, the media, legislatures, the private sector, and international institutions to promote accountable and effective governance in the extractive industries. For more information, please see www.resourcegovernance.org.

Funded by philanthropic organizations and national governments, we are headquartered in New York City with further offices in Accra, Beirut, Jakarta, Lima and London, and staff presence in Bolivia, Cameroon, DRC, Guinea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Tunisia.

Purpose

The Media Capacity Development Officer will implement, monitor and promote our approaches to addressing the diverse and increasingly advanced needs of the media.

NRGI believes that a vibrant, scrutinizing media is essential in giving the public the information and voice it needs to demand the transparency and accountability necessary for good use of natural resource wealth. NRGI runs multiple short and long-term media capacity development programs, directly and through partners, in Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, among other countries. We also provide technical advice and financial support to media houses in other countries such as Colombia, Indonesia and Peru. Learning from these programs, NRGI is poised to embark on a revised media capacity building strategy that will respond to lessons from earlier engagement and seek to alter programs to respond to the changing role of journalists.

Working closely with NRGI staff and partners in each country, the Media Capacity Development Officer will seek to draw lessons to inform the global strategy while tailoring programs to the context in each country. Leaning on NRGI’s strong network of advisors, Media Capacity Development Officer will continuously improve the program with best practices from capacity development and journalistic practices. The Media Capacity Development Officer will also have the opportunity to communicate with donors about the program’s impact.

Responsibilities

The Media Capacity Development Officer will be responsible for the following:

Advise on the Implementation of Media Capacity Development Programs:

• Support local staff and, where relevant, local partners on the design and implementation of:
  • selection process to identify participants
  • needs assessments and training curriculum
  • mentoring program
  • financial support mechanisms
• Lead or co-lead (with country staff) the development of innovative approaches, with a view to generating lessons and models for replication in other contexts
• Track progress of work with media across NRGI programs and provide inputs as necessary
• Ensure effective financial management of the project and reporting to donors

Facilitate Global Learning on Media Capacity Development Approaches

• Ensure monitoring and evaluation approach is implemented, including tracking and analysis of media coverage, with increasing ownership by local staff and/or partners
• Ensure project learning and impact is effectively documented and communicated to key audiences, including between projects, using traditional and new media and tools
• Ensure good ongoing communication and coordination with other agencies involved in capacity building of media (especially related to economics, governance and extractives) —nationally, regionally and internationally
• Integrate program learning into strategy, donor proposals and annual project planning
• Build contacts and lever the project to develop and sustain the NRGI media program
• Represent NRGI externally at meetings, conferences, with donors, etc.
• Undertake other tasks as required by management

Qualifications

Requirements

• At least 5 years’ experience running and managing capacity building projects in an international development and advocacy environment—including relationship management and capacity building of local partners, monitoring and evaluation, financial management
• Personal commitment to improving the use of, and accountability for, public resources
• Skills in effective documentation and communication of project progress and learning
• Ability to combine attention to detail while driving toward the overall goals of a program
• Ability to manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in a self-motivated manner, with management support from a distance
• Collegiate working style with superior interpersonal, writing, and organizational skills
• Ability to use all key Microsoft Office software
• Willingness to travel (at least once per quarter) and experience working and traveling internationally

Strongly preferred

• Experience in adult learning and teaching/teacher training
• Demonstrable understanding of the media in one or more of NRGI countries of work (key players, constraints, opportunities) and how it can be strengthened is a plus
• Familiarity with big data analysis tools
• Familiarity with common policy responses to natural resource governance challenges.
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant field (media, political science, economics, international affairs)
• Fluency in at least one additional language to English, preferably French or Spanish

Location: The appointee will preferably be based in London or New York, but other NRGI office locations may be considered. Willingness and ability to undertake international travel is essential, as is having the legal ability to work in the location where based.

Start Date: March 2017

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, work travel insurance, life and disability insurance, private pension scheme, 20 annual leave days plus all public holidays.

To Apply: Please email resume, cover letter, and references before February 10, 2017, to jobs@resourcegovernance.org. Include Media Capacity Development Officer in the subject line.

Candidates must possess the right to work in the United Kingdom or the United States.

We will review applications on a rolling basis and we will only contact those applicants whose background and prior experience appear to be most suited to this particular position.