Application form - Country Lead Consultants - ENCD

The project:

Thomson Reuters Foundation has secured funding to deliver a joint programme with BBC Media Action, which will provide capacity-building support and expertise to selected media outlets, professional journalism bodies and academic institutions in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The objective of the programme is to deliver sustainable improvement to the media ecosystem in these countries and improve access to high-quality, objective and trusted journalism at a national scale. BBC Media Action and Thomson Reuters Foundation have formed a consortium to manage the delivery of this project, with BBC Media Action acting as the lead partner.

TRF will lead the project's work to strengthen journalism education and routes to employment in these countries through work with media outlets, Universities and media associations to strengthen skills-based and practical training, and ensure new journalists possess the skills demanded by industry. The programme also includes the development of an e-learning programme; direct support to media outlets; a sub-granting element; and extensive work with journalism associations in those countries. 

The role: Country Leads (Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine – 3 positions available)

The applications for Moldova and Georgia are closed. The application deadline for Ukraine has been extended to the 20th of September.

Thomson Reuters Foundation is looking for 3 "Country Leads" to coordinate work in each country. Country Leads will lead on TRF’s activity in each country: providing technical advice and expertise to shape the delivery of the programme; managing relationships with partners in universities, professional bodies and media outlets; and ensuring the delivery of high-quality support relevant to the country context. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Oversee project activities and manage key stakeholder relationships in the respective country.
• Identify and engage project partners to assess their needs and develop solutions collaboratively with them and TRF. 
• Design and mobilise training initiatives for journalists and journalism students in line with the project objectives, delivering this directly where appropriate.
• Identify suitable trainers and consultants for specific mentorship and training activities in collaboration with TRF.
• Support the development of TRFs project strategy and workplans in each country.
• Support partners to complete relevant due diligence processes and partner onboarding, with support from consortium colleagues.
• Contribute to quarterly narrative reports and support the TRF team in communicating with the project donor
• Contribute to the development of TRF’s project strategy and work plans in the country.
• Work closely with BBC Media Action’s in-country teams and TRF’s London-based Project Team.
• Identify where additional, more specialised mentorship is required and inform the Project Management Team.
• Support TRFs monitoring, evaluation and learning approach, including by providing recommendations around project change or adaptation as needed.
• Continue to provide broader programme recommendations relevant to the university and media sectors.
• Identify and escalate any key risks or issues.

• Substantial experience working in the media sector; ideally also in designing and shaping media development programmes or providing consultancy support, training and/or expertise to partner organisations.
• Strong, existing networks in the relevant country, including with media outlets, journalists, professional bodies and academic institutions.
• An understanding of academic institutions in the relevant country, including their role in training future journalists
• Strong relationships with key stakeholders across media outlets, CSOs, professional bodies and academic institutions, and the ability to leverage connections and relationships for the project.
• Fluency in English and one of Georgian, Ukrainian or Romanian (as relevant in each country). Russian language skills will likely to be required to work with some partners in Moldova and Georgia.
• Working experience in international media outlets and/or international organisations is desirable.
• An understanding of international journalism standards and ethics for independent media.
• Good communication skills and ability to effectively work with remote teams.
• Ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds collaboratively, supportively, and respectfully with others.
• Flexibility to adapt to new and sometimes unplanned situations.

Location: Flexible but with a preference for candidates based in-country. Candidates based outside of the country must travel regularly to the country, as TRF will be unable to meet travel expenses between their home country and the project country.

 
​​Time commitment: Between 7-10 days per month in a hybrid working model, which will consist of online meetings as well as occasional face-to-face events and travel.

To apply for this position, please submit the following:  

1. Complete the application form below.
2. At the end of the form, please attach an updated curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant experience and qualifications.
3. At the end of the form, please attach a cover letter highlighting your interest in the position and how your skills align with the requirements. 
4. You may also upload examples or a portfolio of previous work in training and consultancy related to the subject matter. 

The applications for Moldova and Georgia closed on the 10th of September, 2023. The application deadline for Ukraine has been extended to the 20th of September. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.   

Thomson Reuters Foundation is an equal opportunity organisation. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and with marginalised identities to apply.

Questions about the role(s) or application process are to be emailed to TRFmedia@thomsonreuters.com.  

TRF would like to ensure our events and courses are diverse and inclusive. As such, you may provide information on your gender and country of origin in this form. If you do not wish to provide information on your gender or country of origin, please select ‘Prefer Not to Say’.

About Thomson Reuters Foundation:  

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. As an independent charity registered in the UK and the USA, we work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights. Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, we combine our unique services to drive systemic change. For more than 40 years, we have promoted the highest standards in journalism by training reporters around the world to cover issues relevant to their local context accurately and impartially. Today, we work to strengthen local and national journalism, improve media ethics, standards and regulation, combat misinformation, and explore and shape the future of the profession. We do this through newsroom consultancy, journalism training and mentoring, capacity-building, and via our funding of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.