Program Coordinator – MediaCorps Watch Program - Full time

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the post of Program Coordinator – MediaCorps Watch Program at Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF).

Programme background:

SDJF is a well-established national level, non-governmental organization, with more than 10 years of extensive experience in promoting the role of media in democratization and transformation. Community media for inclusive development, training and capacity building are the major program areas of the SDJF. Democracy, equality, social justice and inclusiveness are its crosscutting themes. It works closely with International media development agencies, Local media organizations, Universities, Civil Society organizations, Youth and Women development movements engaged in promoting pluralism and vibrant democracy.

Purpose of the Role:

Under the guidance of the senior management, the purpose of this position is to plan, coordinate, execute and evaluate the MediaCorps Watch special program designed for past MediaCorps fellows who have been trained under the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) Program. The Program Coordinator (PC) will be responsible overall, to manage this component in close consultation

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Provide overall leadership to the MediaCorps Watch: Provide leadership to implement the ‘MediaCorps , online news magazine program introduced to capture ground voices, which are not featured in the mainstream media or excluded voices of marginalized in the rural settings in line with the project goals and objectives.
2. Provide guidance to NEWS Production Team: Provide guidance and necessary support to the News Production Team to produce quality news magazines, track impact of news magazine, build relationship with MediaCorps Fellows, contributors and other like-minded networks, service providers and partners.
3. Train MediaCorps watch team: Train and mentor MediaCorps watch team to understand IREX/MEND partnership agreement and give adequate inputs about program goals, objectives, proposed activities, beneficiaries, M&E requirements, targets and deliverables.
4. Support development of M&E tools: Provide necessary inputs and support to the production team to develop M&E tools ensuring that relevant data are collected to measure the impact of the MediaCorps Watch program including story logs, dissemination, user engagement follow up stories, success stories, advocacy efforts and actions.
5. Guidance for Databases and Reports: Provide necessary support, guidance and inputs needed to compile comprehensive data bases, social media analytics and reports; monthly, quarterly and annually.
6. Donor communication: The PC will be the focal point for MediaCorps Watch program and responsible for all donor communication. Attending donor meetings, virtual meetings, reporting, briefing, program updates, etc.
7. Approval of communication material: Finalize and approve all the communication material related to the MediaCorps watch, such as Newsletters, press articles, web postings, blogs, social media posting and any other documents with the concurrence of Program Director of SDJF.
8. Editorial support: Lead the editorial team and provide editorial support to the Production Team to maintain high quality in all magazine programs.
9. Institutionalize MC Watch/ Program expansion: The PC is expected to find additional resources to institutionalize MC watch program beyond the project span. Organize meetings with companies to mobilize CSR funds, develop new program expansions /proposals to seek new donor funding, seek advertisement within the scope of SDJF vision and mission, etc.
10. Human resource management: The program Coordinator is responsible for the human resource management of MediaCorps Watch team including the records of their leave, personal files, and other statutory requirement.
11. Any other tasks assigned by PD or BoD from time to time.

Essential Criteria:

• Education - Bachelor’s Degree specializing in Communication, Journalism, Public relations or in an allied field and/or a professional qualification in a related field.

• Experience - At least three years of similar work experience is required. Candidate should be able to work independently – with minimum supervision and guidance from superiors. Demonstrated and extensive social media experience would be an added advantage.

• Skills - Excellent written and oral English communication skills and Knowledge of other languages (Sinhala/Tamil) is essential. He/she should have advanced working knowledge of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher). Candidates with basic design and layout skills and adept in using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign; Demonstrated and extensive social media experience will have an added advantage.

Values and Ethics: The candidate should have high level of integrity, accountability and punctuality, and be willing to work in the office and at field locations beyond normal working hours. He/she should also demonstrate and be exemplary in portraying SDJF values and ethics. He/she should be a good team player.

Commencement – Immediately

Salary - Negotiable and shall be commensurate with experience and previous earning records.

Please send your updated CV and expected salary range, along with a cover letter giving names of two non-related referees before 31st August 2020 to recruitment@Ldjf.org.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Females are highly encouraged to apply.