PROJECT DIRECTOR in BBC Media Action

BBC Media Action (BBC MA) is the charitable arm of the World Service established by the BBC. BBC Media Action uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. To achieve this, BBC Media Action partners with civil society, local media and governments to: Produce creative programmes based on robust research in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues. Strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure. At present, BBC Media Action in Nigeria has several multi-year projects addressing issues of health and governance through different outputs including factual and drama. We will be looking to develop new projects in 2013-14. BBC Media Action is looking for interested/motivated candidates to join the Team as: (Salary for both positions range from N600, 000.00 gross per month) Post: PROJECT DIRECTOR (1 year with possibility of renewal) in BBC Media Action Job Purpose   We require a dynamic Project Director with a highly developed understanding of media and development together with solid management skills to ensure delivery of our projects. The Project Director is a member of the Senior Management Team, and will be responsible for the overall management and delivery of a new project on family health in Nigeria. The project will utilise the power of media to tackle issues of maternal and child health, including exploring the potential of mobile platforms to deliver health content to families and health workers. The Project Director will make sure the agreed targets and objectives are met while ensuring the quality and cohesion of project outputs. This will include managing a dedicated project team and working closely with the Senior Projects Manager and Executive Editor to implement different elements of the project. This post will also ensure that all relevant departments are kept abreast of project timelines in order that all necessary support and reporting are delivered at the appropriate time within the project. The Project Director will be responsible for overseeing financial management of the project and reporting on editorial and operational progress to the Country Director and liaising with the relevant teams in the London headquarters and donors. In close coordination with the Country Director, the Project Director will represent Media Action in country to key stakeholders and will ensure effective relationships and partnerships with a wide range of partners including broadcasters, NGDs, international development agencies, government coordinating bodies, mobile operators, and others. Main Duties and Responsibilities Reporting to the Country Director, to take responsibility for overseeing the planning and implementing of all activities for a new project on family health. To help recruit, lead, and manage a diverse team of staff and consultants in order to meet agreed objectives, including developing staff skills where necessary so that they are able to make an effective contribution to planned activities. To ensure that the design and implementation of project activities adhere to work plan and donor commitments and remain in line with BBC editorial standards and values and Media Action's best practice. To negotiate and mediate if conflicting views/ priorities arise within the project, working through these to reach a satisfactory conclusion. To participate in the design and coordination of monitoring and evaluation and conduct regular feedback sessions, adjusting project delivery as necessary upon approval. To manage project budgets and ensure the delivery of the outputs is in accordance with that budget and in line with Media Action's financial procedures and the funder's operating guidelines. To develop good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including other actors in the health sector, mobile industry, and broadcast media, etc., and ensure these relationships are managed effectively. To support business development activities. This will involve working with the Country Director and local staff to pursue appropriate funding opportunities in country, as well as working as part of a global team responding to international and sub-regional funding opportunities. To work with the other BBC Media Action staff in country and in London to identify training priorities linked to the needs of staff, including greater development of in-house capacity, and ensure that training meets Media Action's high standards. To lead the reporting of progress, both internally to the BBC and externally to partners, the donor, and other interested parties. Skills, Knowledge and Experience Requirements Essential: Experience of senior project management in a developing country context with demonstrated capacity to manage large-scale projects effectively. Experience of managing diverse teams, preferably within a developing country context, at a level which demonstrates experience in developing and leading on systems and processes, mentoring, and delegating as appropriate. Strong financial management skills, with proven experience managing large budgets, including accurate and timely reporting to donors. Ability to work on own initiative and organise time effectively within a range of often conflicting deadlines, juggle competing priorities to meet the agreed strategy. The ability to forge strong working relations quickly and gain the trust of partners in other international NGDs, in government. in media houses, and elsewhere. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent written and spoken English Desirable: Knowledge of regional and international current affairs Experience working in Africa, preferably Nigeria, or at least awareness of its geopolitics, culture. religions etc. A proven track-record in international development; experience in the use of media to achieve development goals is an advantage and is highly desirable. Applicants with extremely sound ideas, but little media experience will be considered on evidence of creativity and potential. Demonstrable creative ability or ability to manage and harness creative talents of staff, with a proven track-record in project design development and implementation. Awareness of the BBC's editorial values and an instinct for how to apply these to media development projects, Knowledge of the media development and media for development fields. Knowledge of the health sector, particularly familiarity with maternal and childhood health initiatives. Key competencies: Managing relationships and team work - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works cooperatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively. Values individual's differences and, demonstrates a commitment to knowledge sharing and informal learning, for the benefit of the team. Strategic thinking - Able to identify a vision and create plans for implementation of that vision to meet the end goal. Evaluates situations, decisions, and issues in the short, medium and long-term Leadership - Ability to inspire others to realize an identified vision. Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts, explore and evaluate them systematically. Able to identify causal relationships, and construct frameworks for problem solving and/or development. Planning and Organisation - Able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others; planning of activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements. .. Residence - Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy. Decision Making - Able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made. Communication - able to get one's message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information. Highly-developed written and verbal skills. Listens, encourages discussions and two way communication. Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one's own organisation or job requirements. Mentoring - is able to recognise potential (managerial, professional, artistic or otherwise) and is willing to foster the development of that potential, creates a climate in which potential can be realised. Method of Application Interested candidates should please send in their application/cover letter with an introduction and capability statement stating capability for the job, a detailed curriculum vitae (word document please) with names and addresses of at least 2 professional referees (including their telephone, fax and email addresses) not later than 6th August 2013 to: hrnigeria@bbcmediaaction.org with the position applied for clearly stated on the application letter: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.