Humanitarian Journalism Advisor - Internews - Amman, Jordan

Description

Humanitarian Journalism Advisor - Jordan Humanitarian Information Service (HIS)
NOTE: This position will only be hired pending full receipt of funding. Anticipated Duration:  12 months. Start date is anticipated to be Feb 2013.

 
Background:
Working in partnership with a local media network, the Jordan Humanitarian Information Service (HIS) project aims to address communication gaps between refugee populations living in Jordan and humanitarian organisations by providing essential life-saving information that informs, protects, empowers, facilitates dialogue for target audiences of Syrian refugees, focusing on those moving in the Zaatari camps, but also those in urban areas. This project will also assist the humanitarian community to be more effective, transparent and accountable by enabling communities to better understand aid operations, access relief services and communicate with aid providers.
The project will train local reporters and soon-to-be reporters from both the refugee and host communities. The radio programme will be produced and broadcast in partnership with a local media network and Internews in Amman. The radio programme will then expand its coverage to other areas of interest, trying to foster community participation through mobile technology, social media and other innovative interventions.
 
Scope of the work:
The Humanitarian Journalism Advisor (HJA) will be embedded into newsroom of the local media network in Amman Internews will be partnering with to train and support reporters on reporting on humanitarian complex issues. The HJA will support this local media network and its correspondents to produce daily humanitarian radio programs and mentor a broad-network of journalists and correspondents in Amman and the Zaatari Camp, as per the scope of the project.
More specifically, the HJA will play a vital role in the implementation of this ground-breaking project in Jordan in the following capacities:

• Design, implement and oversee all aspects of a regular training and mentoring program for local reporters and correspondents working in this project.
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with the local media network, including ensuring that the programming is broadcast.
• Support the local media network in the production of high quality humanitarian radio programming in the most appropriate language(s) covering key themes including but not limited to services available to refugees and host communities, health, registration, or protection issues.
• Compile regular and timely rundowns of the humanitarian radio programs and messages relayed through the early warning network for distribution to the wider humanitarian community.
• In close coordination with the Humanitarian Liaison Officer (HLO) of the project, liaise with relevant humanitarian agencies in the production of humanitarian news and information to disseminate important messages, news and information for affected communities (e.g. regarding food/water/shelter material distribution points, medical facilities and mobile media clinics, registration processes, announcements, etc.), as required.
• Coordinate with the HLO to ensure a smooth link between humanitarian activities and the production of humanitarian information.
• In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, work with local reporters, correspondents, and other relevant staff to design and implement innovative ways to ensure that feedback from the community is incorporated into ongoing program design.
• Prepare and assemble materials for monthly and quarterly reports, in compliance with donor guidelines, including documenting achievements and challenges for Internews learning purposes, as required.
• Produce regular multimedia materials (i.e. blog posts, photos, podcasts) documenting the life of the project for external audiences, as required.
• Ensure efficient coordination and complementarity with the other Internews’ projects and partners in Jordan, as required.
• Support relevant Internews colleagues in developing and devising new directions and opportunities to support local independent media in region.
• Liaise with international media and promote Internews’ work, as required.
• Any other duties as required.

 

​QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of Arabic an asset.
• Extensive experience in broadcast training and mentoring.
• Extensive experience in facilitation and training using hands-on participatory approaches.
• Extensive experience working (i.e. reporting, training…) in crises and relief operations, preferably in the Middle East.
• Very good working knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector.
• Fluency in use of digital field recording equipment, basic studio equipment and software, such as Adobe Audition and/or CoolEdit Pro.
• Demonstrated skills in partnership/stakeholder management.
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and a highly fluid environment.
• Good interpersonal and networking skills to liaise authoritatively with figures from the local media community and the international aid sector.
• Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and create programming accordingly.
• An understanding of the vision/mission, core values and objectives of Internews.
• Understanding of and passion for the area of communications with refugees and disaster affected communities.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, both written and oral.
• Excellent time management and the ability to prioritize a heavy workload under pressure.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Willingness to work in demanding, stressful, and, at times, dangerous situations under difficult living conditions with respect for basic security rules.
• Psychological resilience and a sense of humour.
• Relevant university degree.

​Desirable:

• Knowledge of citizen journalism and familiarity with ways to leverage social media will be an asset, as will knowledge and experience of mapping and crowd-sourcing software (i.e. Ushahidi and Open Street Map) and mobile technology software (i.e. Souktel, FrontlineSMS, Freedom Fone…).

 
About Internews and Humanitarian Information:
Internews and Internews Europe share an objective to save lives and reduce suffering of disaster-affected communities. Working in partnership with local media and aid providers, Internews and Internews Europe aim to fulfill people's right to access information, ask questions, and participate in their own relief and recovery.
Learn more about Internews' Humanitarian Information Projects online and download When Information Saves Lives, the 2011 Annual Report of Internews’ Humanitarian Information Projects. Follow Internews’ humanitarian work also on Twitter @internews @internewseurope and @jqg.

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