Media Manager/ Media Manager

Equal Access is an international not for profit (501c3), headquartered in San Francisco and working throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Equal Access creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions to foster peace building and social cohesion, women & girls’ empowerment, youth life skills & livelihoods, human rights, health, civic participation and good governance. In Nepal, Equal Access serves as an implementing partner to FHI 360 on the USAID funded Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP) which aims to foster a more legitimate, accountable and resilient Nepali civil society, capable of advancing the public interest. Equal Access seeks applications from creative and competent candidates for the following CS:MAP positions: 

Media Manager – 1 (Based in Nepalgunj)

Specific Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for media related activities on CS:MAP with all regional stakeholders, including media grantees, partner media outlets, and government agencies;
• Support strategic planning, program decisions, changes in approach and ongoing improvement based on lessons learnt, best practices, changing local contexts, and reliable, accurate information and data;
• Support timely and quality design, implementation and management of activities as outlined in pre-established workplans; coordinate as necessary to ensure M&E activities are implemented at the district and sub-district level in accordance with the M&E Plan; support indicator tracking and data management and timely and effective data entry into the FHI 360 central M&E database; 
• Provide technical assistance to support media grantees in their advocacy campaigns, as needed;
• Oversee and monitor dissemination of public outreach messages through a variety of media channels;
• Coordinate to ensure that the online 'MeroReport' serves as a platform to link community, district, and national CSOs and media engaged in cross-sectoral oversight;
• Support identification of a list of potential opportunities for CS:MAP media and CSO grantees and other organizations to undertake joint CSO-media advocacy and monitoring activities;
• Ensure that planned media activities are coordinated and coherent with CS:MAP outreach activities including Saajha Sabhas and Shreejanshil Saakhas; 
• Plan, coordinate, implement and be involved, as required, in the design and delivery of training;
• Play a crucial role in writing monthly and quarterly project reports that are of high quality, address targeted and planned outputs and outcomes, demonstrate coherent linkages to past and planned activities and capture significant stories/incidents that demonstrate change/ impact;
• Ensure donor regulations compliance, especially ensuring that design and implementation of activities comply with Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles.  

Requirements

• A Master's degree in journalism, communication studies, project management, or related discipline;
• Seven years of social development experience in a mid to high level leadership role with hands-on experience of working in the media, in media development and/ or in media-focused projects;
• Familiarity with project workplans, M&E plans and the ability to translate them into implementation;
• Good understanding of advocacy and how media campaigns are able to support advocacy efforts;
• Familiarity with constitutional, policy and legal frameworks surrounding freedom of expression, right to information and press freedom; existing gaps; ongoing and possible advocacy efforts;
• Experience in design and delivery of media training programs, plans, material and their evaluation;
• Keen observer with eye for spotting change, ability to generate useful information and document observations on a regular basis; and to analyze and report such information in a useful manner;
• 'Good to excellent' English language writing skills demonstrated through past reports, articles, published papers or any relevant document that demonstrates individual authorship; 
• Excellent computer skills, especially in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint. Additional experience in the use of applications related to data storage and management will be an asset;
• Experience working on USAID funded projects is desirable.

Media Officer (Based in Kathmandu)

Specific Responsibilities

• Interface with Media Coalition, Intermediary Support Organizations (ISOs) and grantees to assess and coordinate Technical Assistance (TA) need and provision, and ensure sound understanding of respective roles;
• Support in reviewing and tailoring organizational development plans and tools and ensure that trainings to be delivered by ISOs address the specific needs of media organizations;
• Work closely with FHI 360 to learn the use of tools such as Good Governance Barometer and the Advocacy Readiness Index, and train other Equal Access staff and grantees as required;
• Learn to operate and use the FHI 360 central M&E database and coordinate the entry of data from the Western and earthquake affected districts; share knowledge on the use of this database to relevant staff, as required;
• Serve as the focal point for media related information dissemination and reporting (between center and project districts) and for coordinating and arranging planning meetings (physical or virtual) as necessary; 
• Support short and medium-term planning especially in monitoring and ensuring that activities are planned and implemented in accordance with pre-established workplans;
• Assist with desk research pertaining to a rapid assessment to study media sector regulations, and assist with identifying relevant stakeholders for key informant interviews and consultation conferences;
• Coordinate and arrange investigative journalism and research study visits for promising journalists and editors;
• Support identification of a list of potential opportunities for CS:MAP media and CSO grantees and other organizations to undertake joint CSO-media advocacy and monitoring activities;
• Ensure that planned media activities are coordinated and coherent with CS:MAP outreach activities including Saajha Sabhas and Shreejanshil Saakhas; 
• Plan and coordinate Equal Access-led training activities;
• Ensure donor regulation compliance, especially ensuring that design and implementation of activities comply with Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles.  

Requirements

• A Master's degree in journalism, communication studies, project management, or related discipline;
• Three years of social development experience in a mid-level leadership role with hands-on experience of working in the media, in media development and/ or in media-focused projects;
• Familiarity with project workplans and M&E plans and the ability to translate them into implementation;
• Understanding of advocacy and how media campaigns are able to support advocacy efforts will be an asset;
• Basic understanding of constitutional, policy and legal frameworks surrounding freedom of expression, right to information and overall freedom of the press; existing gaps; and ongoing and possible advocacy efforts;
• Experience in design and delivery of media training programs, plans, material and their evaluation;
• Keen observer with eye for spotting change, ability to generate useful information and document observations on a regular basis; and to analyze and report such information in a useful manner;
• 'Good' English language writing skills demonstrated through past reports, articles, published papers or any relevant document that demonstrates individual authorship; 
• Excellent computer skills, especially in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint. Additional experience in the use of applications related to data storage and management will be an asset;
• Experience working on USAID funded projects is desirable.

To apply, please send in your application including a cover letter, updated CV, and three references to eacsmap@equalaccess.org no later than June 10, 2016. For detailed job description, please go to http://equalaccess.org.np/work-with-us. Please write in the subject line “Media Manager" or "Media Manager" corresponding to the position you are applying for. The screening of applications and final recruitment will adhere to principles of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and women and those belonging to marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. Please also note that we may consider applications and begin the interview process prior to the closing date.