Media Assistant at Search for Common Ground

The Organization

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 600 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 50 offices in over 30 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.  The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff that is committed to its mission and values.  You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Summary of SFCG Nigeria

SFCG has been working in Nigeria since 2004, beginning with the production and broadcast of a TV series targeting a youth audience. In 2010, SFCG began building its engagement in Nigeria, establishing a full country office program, utilizing media, capacity- building, and civil society engagement to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG Nigeria is headquartered in Abuja, with offices in Port Harcourt, Jos, and Maiduguri to support our peacebuilding work in the Niger Delta, the North East and North Central areas of the country.    

Summary of Position

The Media Assistant will support the management and implementation of the media aspects of SFCG’s projects in North Central Nigeria (Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Bauchi). S/he will be based in Jos and will report to the Communications and Learning Manager.

Responsibilities

Duties for the Media Assistant include but are not limited to:

• Work with the Communications and Learning Manager and Project Manager to plan and implement media activities ;
• Support the  day-to-day media activities of SFCG’s programs, including planning, logistics, and oversight;
• Support  the partner organization, Mambissa Amistados, to produce and broadcast of the Musical drama, Dan Fulani: I follow the Green Grass and other Radio and television programming;
• Work with the Communication and Learning Manager and Media Partner to develop discussion guides that can be used during the Mobile Cinema-dialogue outreach, including both facilitation guides and edited synopses of the series on DVD;
• Work with the Communication and Learning Manager to negotiate with Radio and television channels to broadcast SFCG programs, as well as to market and distribute media products via traditional and new media;
• Work with SFCG’s Communications Department to ensure project media is shared internally and externally;
• Support partners in  the training of journalists in conflict-sensitive journalism;
• Work with the DME Manager to develop tools for tracking and evaluating media activity and participate in data collection, as requested;
• Compile and submit monthly Media Activity Reports;
• Meet regularly with Communication and Learning Manager and the Project Manager to review progress of projects against project objectives, indicators and deliverables, and give meaningful input and recommendations into the project management and institutional learning;
• Travel to communities regularly to ensure media projects are on track and to troubleshoot as needed;
• Facilitate press conferences and prepare draft press releases and statements for the Country Director; and
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organisation, its mission, and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge.

Note: As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Minimum Qualification for the Position

The Position Holder will possess:

• A minimum of three (3) years of work experience in design and implementation of media programs;
• At least two (2) years of technical experience in creating and hosting radio programs;
• A Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Theater Arts or a related field;
• Demonstrated technical capacity to provide support and guidance to project staff on design and implementation of radio, television and other media programs;
• Ability to successfully facilitate using participatory methods;
• Professional knowledge and experience in using and applying social media in programming;
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality;
• The ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment;
• A proven track record of being proactive;
• The ability to multi-task and work to meet tight deadlines;
• Proficient inuse ofMicrosoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, e-studio as well as web browsers;
• Fluency in English, both verbally and in writing;
• Knowledge of Fulani, Hausa and Kanuri would be a bonus; and
• The ability to travel extensively in the northern Nigeria.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits