Country Director at Equal Access (EA) 84 views0 applications

Equal Access (EA) is an international not for profit organization (501c3), headquartered in San Francisco and working in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, and Pakistan. A communications for social change organization that combines the power of media with community mobilization, EA manage the production for AREWA24, the first free-to-air, Hausa language entertainment and lifestyle satellite television channel produced by and for northern Nigerians and devoted entirely to the Hausa speaking peoples of Nigeria, West Africa and around the world.

Equal Access creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions that foster peace building and social cohesion, women & girls’ empowerment, youth life skills & livelihoods, human rights, health, as well as civic participation and good governance in the developing world. EA seeks a Country Director to lead the TV production team, represent Equal Access and AREWA24, and manage the growth of its Nigeria program.

Job Summary

• The Country Director will manage and direct all of EA’s activities in Nigeria, including a television project and radio messaging center project.
• The position holder will oversee the television and radio projects’ strategic direction, lead all production, oversee community outreach, and develop partnerships for EA-Nigeria (EAN) and the AREWA24 channel.
• S/he will ensure that AREWA24 is delivering quality content to audiences across northern Nigeria and the Hausa-speaking sub-region and will liaise with potential business partners and sponsors to help drive the channel’s commercialization strategy.
• During the first two months, the Country Director will work closely with the existing Director General to ensure maximum capacity building and a smooth leadership transition. He/she will also work closely with AREWA24’s President.

Specific Responsibilities
Leadership and Staff Capacity Development:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the AREWA24 and radio messaging center projects
• Provide capacity building, supervision and support for senior management staff and content development staff. Secure and manage external capacity development support if necessary.
• Proactively develop the capacity of staff, drawing on skills of local management, to understand and apply Equal Access principles and methodologies in all aspects of their work.
• Initiate and lead country office staff through a process of localization, providing inputs as necessary to boost local senior management capacity to absorb new responsibilities.
• Provide an example of good leadership for staff throughout the organisation.
• Develop a strong team through proper selection, evaluations, appropriate discipline and staff development.
• Develop the managerial capacity of individual senior staff.
• Promote transparent decision-making through open communication and regular meetings.

Program Management:

• Help develop and implement a strategy for research and analysis related to the AREWA24 channel and its target audiences; apply that analysis to program and broadcast strategies.
• Support quality project planning, implementation, and M&E in a manner consistent with Equal Access’ working principles, ensuring the AREWA24 program is 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 that all production deliverables are submitted on time in a suitable format and in-line with EA’s strict quality standards.
• Analyze the commercial market in Nigeria and work with the AREWA24 President to adapt the channel’s commercialization strategy.
• Build staff capacity in producing, editing, and finalizing high-quality television content.
• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned that can be successfully replicated and assist program staff to integrate into their work.
• Identify, develop and manage new commission-based revenue streams from corporate sponsorships, advertising, and other sources.

Representation:

• Identify revenue sources and income generating opportunities through advertising, sponsorship, and investment.
• Work to engage with bi- and multi-lateral donors (UN, USG, and others) and like-minded corporations to develop programming for the channel.
• Lead resource mobilisation efforts through coordination and writing of high quality draft proposals and budgets for submission to donors (coordinating with EA headquarters), building and strengthening key donor and local partner relationships and rigorous regular reporting and coordination of business development prospects.
• Explore the feasibility of developing potential equity partnerships with like-minded corporations and entities to further the channel’s growth and sustainability
• Support staff to ensure timely quality reporting to donors, partners and HQ and compliance with grant terms.
• Represent EAN and AREWA24.
• Lead security and incident related decision making and response.
• Ensure good staff management standards promoting discipline, efficiency and harmonious working environment.
• Promote transparent decision-making through open communication and regular meetings

Qualifications
Education:

• Advanced degree in Management, Mass Communication, Media Production, and/or Business/Marketing

Work Experiences:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience leading and managing TV production and broadcast, and preferably some experience in radio production
• At least 5 years of experience working with international donor-funded projects and/or working with investors
• At least 5 years of experience working in Africa, or on Africa-focused projects or TV stations
• Proven understanding of Nigerian media, preferably including the Northern Nigeria context
• A thorough knowledge of production processes, TV business models (cable/satellite TV a plus), audience research, and commercialization.
• Experience in coordinating with external suppliers, producers, sponsors, investors, and advertising sales houses
• Able to work under extreme pressure and deadlines

Language and Computer Skills:

• Excellent spoken and written English, knowledge of Hausa a plus
• Computer skills: Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, and experience with other editing software packages; MS Word and Excel

Travel:

• Able to undertake travel to the project locations as required

Applicants should send their application including a cover letter, updated CV, and three references with “Nigeria Country Director” in the Subject line of the e-mail to: [email protected]

Note: We will consider applications and begin the interview process prior to the closing date.