Journalism Trainer/Mentor

Journalism Trainer/Mentor

BBC Media Action

Date Listed: Nov 1, 2012
Phone: No Calls Please
Area: Tanzania
Application Deadline: Nov 19, 2012

Position Description:
Location: Tanzania, the post holder will be required to spend around 50% of their time in Dar es Salaam and 50% of their time in Morogoro/Dodoma region.
Reports to:Project Manager, Resilience
Contract duration: 12 months (with possible extension)
Job purpose: BBC Media Action is seeking a journalism trainer/mentor to support our partner stations and their staff to produce varied, high quality and editorially robust programmes, tackling issues linked to building resilience to the effects of climate change. In addition to working with local radio, the post holder will provide training to local agriculture and resilience NGOs on communications and working with the media. In particular the post holder will develop training courses for on-site or central delivery, followed up by supporting individuals at all levels within the partner organizations, with the aim of putting theory into practice and broadening local skill bases.
Main Duties:
To support the delivery of the Radio for Resilience project to reach the highest standards in terms of quality, effectiveness, impact and relevance, meeting objectives clearly defined in the project proposal.
To work with international media trainer to design a formal and on the job production training guide for partner radios and to independently deliver these trainings in selected regions. This document will guide the entire period of mentorship and serve as a frame of reference for evaluating the trainer/ mentors performance.
To attend trainer of trainers session in mentoring and production skills training to be provided by an international trainer by Media Action
To deliver a series of training workshops and events, using the training curriculum
To deliver one-on-one mentoring to journalists up to editor level at partner stations across the country. The trainer/ mentors will provide constructive feedback at the end of each assignment.
To work closely with station staff on all aspects of training and programme production to ensure maximum ownership by the station.
To introduce and continue regular editorial meetings to support output.
To ensure that findings from research and audience feedback are used to refine and improve projects outputs.
To submit reports and work plans periodically as advised to line managers.
To attend regular meetings and conference calls with international trainer and other Media Action staff based in Dar-es-salaam.
To support all international trainers coming to the station.
To ensure all project activities meet BBC standards, as well as delivering the projects development objectives.
To provide training to partner NGOs and CSOs working on resilience and agriculture.
To provide a technical linkages between NGO experts and local radio partners in development of radio products.
To oversee establishment of online, mobile and social media aspects of the project.
To generate new project ideas and proposals for agriculture and resilience projects in Tanzania.
Perform any other duties that may be assigned.
Required knowledge, skills and experience:
Fluent in English and Swahili with ability to write reports and scripts in these languages.
Strong editorial judgment and substantial radio production experience within Tanzania is essential (3 years minimum with a reputable organization).
Experience in training journalists is an added advantage.
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication & influencing skills.
Ability to work in teams.
Strong understanding of and commitment towards BBC editorial values.
Strong understanding of the role of media and communications in development.
Key competencies:
The following competencies (behaviors and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.
Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts, explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks, for problem-solving and/or development.
Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.
Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Communication – The ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
Self-Development – Is able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development.


Application Instructions:
Candidates should send their CV and a covering letter (PDF or Microsoft Word format) which outlines their experience and suitability for the role in English to tzrecruitment@bbcmediaaction.org, with the name of the position applied for in the subject line. Please do not send certificates or other attachments. Applicants with no separate covering letter will not be considered. Please only apply if you meet the basic criteria under the person specification.

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