Job Introduction
BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity, which uses media and communications to help reduce poverty and support people to understand their rights. We do this through partnering with civil society, media and others to produce creative programmes and other outputs which inform and engage audiences on key development issues. We also strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure of local media organisations in the countries in which we work.
In Sierra Leone, our current / future projects focus on health, girls’ education, and accountability. BBC Media Action played a leading role in humanitarian emergencies affecting the country such as the Ebola crisis in 2014-16 and the flooding / mudslide in 2017. BBC Media Action in Sierra Leone currently produces 2 national weekly radio programmes, and manages several social media platforms, including the largest Facebook page in the country which won ‘best in social media engagement’ category at the 2017 African Digital Media Awards. The Sierra Leone office has a talented team of staff and is a supportive and inspiring environment in which to work.
BBC Media Action has zero tolerance of all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. All staff are required to undergo safeguarding training and maintain behaviour that is consistent with BBC Media Action’s code of conduct. Staff roles involving working with children or vulnerable adults may require a background check.
Role Responsibility
This exciting and influential role will lead on the delivery of BBC Media Action projects in Sierra Leone, taking responsibility for delivery of media production, capacity strengthening, and outreach activities as well as managing relationships with international and local partners. The role will involve significant elements of coordination with government, INGOs and local media organisations.
The role reports to our Country Director in Sierra Leone and will work closely with other members of BBC Media Action’s senior management team in Sierra Leone (the Head of Production, the Finance and Administration Manager and the Research Manager). The role will directly line-manage a team of project managers, trainers, and project officers.
This role will include overseeing a 2-year malaria project funded by Comic Relief and setting up an anticipated 3-year non-formal girls’ education project.
Maintaining relationships with donors and ensuring accurate and timely financial and narrative donor reporting will be a key part of the role, as will identifying further funding opportunities related to meeting development priorities in Sierra Leone and taking the lead on writing successful proposals.
The Ideal Candidate
We need your considerable experience of developing and managing behaviour change communications projects as well as your skills managing complex budgets and knowledge of reporting requirements of donors. You’ll bring an in-depth understanding of using media and communications to achieve development priorities, and strong, practical experience of Behaviour Change Communication and Community Engagement concepts and techniques. Your experience working alongside a diverse range of partner organisations will be key, as will your ability to manage diverse teams. Your ability to develop and articulate new business ideas will also be important in this role.
Package Description
Grade:9
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contract: attachment/fixed term – 01/09/18 – 30/09/19
Employees must seek the approval of their manager before applying for an attachment.
Terms and conditions as per BBC Media Action’s International Assignment policy. Comprehensive medical insurance and accommodation will be provided. This role is unaccompanied.
The start date of this project is subject to confirmation of anticipated donor funding.
About the BBC
We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below. You’ll be asked questions relating to them as part of your application for this role.
The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background
The BBC is currently implementing a Career Path Framework which will result in employees being aligned to generic job titles and job descriptions. Consequently, successful applicants may be realigned to a slightly different job title shortly after joining the BBC.
More Information
- Job City Freetown
