Senior Media Advisor

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Media Advisor, Civil Society and Media Strengthening Activity - Nepal

Equal Access International (EAI) – a non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Washington, D.C. – partners with communities around the world to co-create sustainable solutions utilizing community engagement and participatory media and technology. With funding from bi-laterals, multi-laterals, foundations, and individual donors, EAI has a 20-year track record implementing social change projects around the world and currently operates through 12 country programs across Asia and East and West Africa.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Equal Access International (EAI) is seeking expression of interest from highly qualified candidates for the Senior Media Advisor position on an anticipated USAID Civil Society and Media Strengthening Activity in Nepal. The position is subject to change based on the procurement requirements and is contingent upon EAI being awarded the project. The position is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepali nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Senior Media Advisor is responsible for providing overall technical leadership for EAI’s components of an anticipated, high-profile USAID Civil Society and Media Strengthening initiative in Nepal. The role will serve as EAI’s primary liaison in country and will support the project’s COP and DCOP in providing strategic and technical leadership to the program, including providing high level strategic design of project activities related to improving the enabling environment for civil society and media, and strengthening constructive civic engagement in improving citizen participation in public policy reform, public resources utilization, and public service delivery. S/he will be responsible for ensuring that activities are effectively implemented, program quality is robustly monitored and evaluated, deliverables are completed on time and to a high standard, and that donor compliance regulations are strictly followed.

REPORTING:

The Senior Media Advisor will report to the Country Director in Nepal.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide overall leadership, technical expertise, and oversight of EAI's scope, including supporting the prime COP and D/COP in providing strategic and technical leadership to the program, particularly related to media strengthening focused activities
  
• Lead project planning and implementation ensuring activities are designed, managed and implemented in a timely and high-quality manner, according to pre-established workplans and basing program decisions on reliable and accurate data
• Ensure program quality through ensuring M&E plans are developed and initiated, that staff adhere to a data collection plan, and reports and proposals are developed with accurate and timely information
• Lead innovative civic engagement and citizen participation in governance through the design and distribution of media products, campaigns, and direct outreach efforts
• Represent the EAI components of the program externally with donors, government and other stakeholders
• Ensure high quality and timely reporting to donors, partners and HQ (including research reports related to media outputs/studies as required)
• Support team to ensure compliance with grant and contracts
• Work with the management team to develop operational budgets that reflect a detailed understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, available resources, and technical possibilities
• Travel to program sites as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Nepali citizenship or residency with work authorization
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 7 to 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility delivering complex governance programs with a focus on media and civil society development programs in Nepal. With at least 5 of those years at a senior level
• Strong understanding and high-level work-related experience in issues related to civil society and media dynamics in Nepal, with particular reference to the challenges faced by Nepalese media system actors
• Strong understanding of Nepal’s media policy and legal environment, including recent developments; combined with sound understanding of international principles that govern media policy and operation
• Familiarity with the key government stakeholders, relevant private sector actors, media houses/organizations and civil society organizations working on media issues, and an understanding of the dynamics and relationships between them.
• Significant experience managing similar donor-funded development projects, ideally with another USAID-funded project
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively on the technical aspects of implementation with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Proven ability to write research documents analyzing changing political scenario and issues and their impact on media development in Nepal (previous published work in this areas an advantage)
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively on the technical aspects of implementation with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to independently lead and participate in key meetings/discussions
• In depth, working knowledge of USAID regulations and procedures
• Excellent oral and written skills in English and Nepali languages

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

EAI is an equal opportunity employer. EAI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all employees and applicants seeking employment. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at EAI.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please send your CV/your minimum salary requirement, and indicate your relevant experience to: consultancies@equalaccess.org with "Senior Media Advisor, Nepal” in the subject line of the email. Application deadline is January 7th 2021, but please apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing them as we receive them.