Humanitarian Journalism Trainer (HJT) – Liberia
Location:Monrovia, Liberia
Duration: 6 months
Anticipated Start Date:Early November
Deadline for Applications:Ongoing until position is filled
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Liberia is one of three epicentres of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa. According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), as of October 7 the total number of Ebola confirmed cases in Liberia was 3,834 of which 2,069 have been confirmed dead. The Government of Liberia has taken some strict measures to combat the spread of Ebola in the country. These include the closures of all borders; mandatory prevention and screening measures; restrictions on public gatherings; establishment of quarantined areas; and the use of military personnel to help enforce prevention and control measures. Up to 4,000 US military personnel are expected to deploy to Liberia over the coming months. Their mission is to build 17 field hospitals and provide technical support to contain the epidemic. Information management and coordination is key to the Ebola response in Liberia.
The “Information Saves Lives” project is designed to add value to the overall national/ international response to EBOLA in Sierra Leone by providing a comprehensive and coordinated information-basedresponse to the crisis. This intervention is seen as a core component of the social mobilization pillar of the WHO Roadmap. The project will ensure that local media, social media and interactive technology approaches play a vital role in amplifying and extending the impact and reach of public health messaging efforts. The response will not be limited to the production of health messages, but will coordinate, harmonize and disseminate a wide range of information in various media, formats and in local languages, with input from key government and health actors and including channels for audience feedback. Finally, the project will also ensure the widespread dissemination and consistency of accurate, timely, actionable Ebola-related information to the population in Sierra Leone, and will offer two-way communication channels for information exchange within affected communities and between these communities and those seeking to assist them.
GENERAL FUNCTION
In collaboration with a local counterpart, the Humanitarian Journalism Trainer (HJT) will train local journalists, as well as radio talk show hosts (who are often not journalists yet exert great influence over their audiences) on how to report accurately on the Ebola epidemic. The HJT will provide on-going mentoring for journalists and talk show hosts. As part of the training, the HJT will connect local journalists with expert resources to educate them on all key aspects of the Ebola virus and the epidemic and to serve as on-going, reliable sources to keep them up to date with daily information for dissemination to their media outlet audiences. The HJT will also oversee the daily production by a small local media team in the capital city of a daily Ebola e-newsletter and a radio program containing essential information about all aspects of Ebola, including PSA’s, updates on the epidemic, interviews with health workers, NGO’s, officials and affected people. The newsletter will be disseminated on email to local media, health workers, NGO’s, diplomats, Diaspora, etc., and can be carried in the print editions of the papers in Monrovia. The radio program will be disseminated on sound file via the Internet to all radio stations with connectivity, and also on disk or thumb drive where necessary.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Recruit, train and mentor a solid group of reporters, producers and technicians. Stay focused on health journalism and all the ethical implications associated to covering health-related issues.
- In collaboration with the Health Communication Liaison Officer (HCLO) be aware of agreed upon medical protocols re Ebola and stay up to date with latest Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) survey results concerning the virus, how it is transmitted and the psycho-social impact on communities and the country at large.
- Set a clear distinction between humanitarian information and news reporting, and train the local team in humanitarian information gathering re the Ebola epidemic and its impact.
- Strive for community engagement – consider a range of tools and programs that can support humanitarian responders while at the same time allowing communities to have a voice, express their fears and beliefs concerning the virus, the medical response and their role in containing it.
- Assist team to turn latest Ebola updates into useful, actionable, accurate and engaging bulletins and features that communities can relate to and understand.
- Assist the team to produce news reports, news bulletins, programmes, PSAs and features to
- professional standards.
- Train the team to be able to do radio editing, recording and using of broadcast equipment to professional standards.
- Work as editorial advisor and at times give final editorial approval for broadcasts.
- Liaise with UN agencies and partner NGOs to provide content for the Humanitarian Information Service on Ebola.
- In collaboration with the HCLO, who will work directly with all Ebola responders, ensure that all content and messages are accurate and contribute to: 1) reduce transmission rates; 2) follow approved medical protocols, 3) reduce stigma towards Ebola survivors and their families.
- Contribute to the wider communications for the project as a whole with excellent writing and communications skills.
- Support the HPM with project management as and when needed.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Relevant university degree in media, health communication, journalism, international development, or humanitarian response.
- Previous experience in Africa is highly desirable and also in a health emergency.
- A solid background in journalism and/or health communication.
- Experience in all aspects of broadcast reporting, including editing, mixing, recording, etc.
- Fluency in editing software, such as Adobe Audition or Cool Edit Pro.
- Experience in leading and coordinating teams and staff – often with no or limited experience in journalism or reporting.
- Creative approach to information gathering considering quarantined areas and travel bans.
- Experience in Communication with Communities (CwC) projects, with a strong focus on the feedback loop from the communities into the humanitarian system.
- A thorough understanding of the work of humanitarian and development agencies, including working within the UN cluster system.
- A good understanding of technical language used by NGOs – and demonstrated experience of turning this into engaging content with “human speak” for ordinary people.
- A good understanding and experience of accountability platforms and tools –experience working with communities to gather their concerns and issues turning these into engaging content.
- Strong communication and diplomatic skills.
- Proven ability to develop and monitor work plans and training plans.
- Practical experience in establishing and operating participatory training programs.
- Experience living and working in Africa and/or conflict/post-conflict environments.
- Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and create programming accordingly.
- Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place and experience supervising staff.
- Must be self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, good humored, and flexible.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
How to apply:
TO APPLY:
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