Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from destructive approaches towards cooperative solutions. With more than 600 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries across the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Media Coordinator

Locations: Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger
Employment Type: Full time

Job Description

• The project aims to improve peace and security in Nigerian border communities in Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger States.
• This will be achieved through community capacity building, institutional strengthening, and cross-border collaboration. Activities focus on empowering community members through training in conflict sensitivity and early warning systems, establishing and revitalizing local government-level and state-level Peace Architecture Dialogues, and fostering collaboration amongst project stakeholders.
• The project also seeks to promote trust-building and social cohesion, through sports activities between communities and security officials, media engagement for conflict-sensitive journalism, and community outreach through radio dramas and participatory theater. By fostering inclusive dialogue and enhancing security coordination, the project aims to improve perceptions of peace and security while building sustainable mechanisms for conflict resolution and prevention in the region.

Responsiblities

• Provide communications support during outreach events e.g producing materials, live streaming on social media, or coordinating a press conference for project activities in target states;
• Provide necessary support to the Communications Coordinator by using necessary apps to create infographics, e-fliers, etc. relating to the project, including publishing and distributing content, running campaigns, and monitoring progress;
• Capture photos and success stories in all Search meetings, training, and events;
• Track the organization’s news coverage through online and traditional sources;
• Provide support in writing, formatting, and editing communications/media/outreach materials;
• Deploy a mixed media approach to covering media programs i.e record short videos that can be adapted for other platforms such as Instagram and Youtube
• Engage the media and other forms of communication, including social media platforms, to promote the objectives of the project. This could include producing and distributing educational materials, as well as working with journalists and influencers to cover the project events and issues in an objective and fair manner;
• Support local radio stations in their planning, production, publicity, outreach, and broadcast of  media products;
• Coordinate the Common Ground Journalists’ Forum and quarterly meetings
• Develop activity work plans, radio program production, and broadcast plans and strategies;
• Keep track of media logs, monitor the broadcast of the media products, and provide regular feedback to the service providers;
• Monitor the media component of the project in collaboration with identified media partners;
• Develop relations with media actors and assist in mobilizing media for events where necessary;
• Provide support to the Project Manager and Media Specialists in delivering the multimedia peace campaign to raise public awareness and knowledge around issues as they relate to the project objectives;
• Collaborate effectively with the Media Specialist and media team to create high-quality relevant multimedia products that cut across all platforms which will contribute to changing attitudes and challenging stereotypes;
• Responsible for overseeing all the multimedia products such as the radio drama, radio talk show, and community participatory theater;
• Support the Senior Subgrants, Compliance, and Accounts Coordinator in collating RFQs to negotiate contracts for the production and broadcast  of media programs, promotional jingles, and other relevant media products
• Ensures all activities are conducted in accordance with Search policies and donor rules and regulations incorporating the DO NO HARM and conflict-sensitive approach;
• Coordinate with the program teams to integrate program messages into media programming streams
• Report all media-related activities and feed into donor reports;
• Document lessons learned, messages, and outcomes from the program to communities across Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara and Kwara States
• Provide monitoring data to the DM&E manager and share success stories and impact stories as a result of radio programs
• Provide media reports and documentation and share progress, challenges, and lessons learned to support the Media Specialist and Project Manager in writing periodic progress reports
• Keep track of current issues and strategies in peacebuilding to leverage opportunities for Search’s communications
• Communicate with target groups, communities, partners, and stakeholders to understand and address the program’s end-user information and communications needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international relations, development studies, marketing, or related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience in producing and coordinating media programs including Radio/TV programs;
• Track record of producing successful Radio programs in Nigeria, preferably using radio magazines, discussions, and talk  show formats;
• Track record of creating communications content using digital tools
• The ability to communicate in local languages will be a big advantage;
• Significant experience designing and conducting training courses in journalism and media;
• Experience in media program design, including podcasts, drama, spot, news & current affairs;
• Track record in delivering effective media/communications/advocacy strategies in support of  campaigns and advocacy programs;
• Online Facilitation and remote capacity building;
• Understanding of and experience in harnessing traditional and social media for awareness-raising and advocacy
• Outreach, communications for development, advocacy, social marketing, media and public relations, and campaigning preferably with an I/NGO;
• Strong command of English and Hausa language and dialects relevant to the locations, with excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent copywriting skills for social media and other digital platforms
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,)
• Excellent analytic skills and ability to produce high-quality written materials for different audiences;
• Creative writing, editing, photography, presentation, public speaking and active listening skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with multiple offices within an organization and interact with partners, contractors, and other stakeholders at the senior level.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly.
• Technical information to both expert and lay audiences, and achieve consensus on communications policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proactive, creative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative; ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace; and
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.

Application Closing Date
3rd August, 2024.