Project Coordinator - BBC World Service Trust

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with travel within Kenya and Somalia, as security allows)

Special Requirements: Kenyan National or somebody who is already permitted to work in Kenya Department/Business Unit: BBC World Service Trust www.bbcworldservicetrust.org

Reports to: BBC WST Country Director Kenya and Somalia (based in Nairobi)

Contract duration: 12-month fixed-term contract with possibility of extension depending on future funding

Desired Starting date: As soon as possible

Salary: Competitive salary (depending on qualification and experience)

The BBC World Service Trust:

The BBC World Service Trust uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries.

To achieve this, the Trust partners with civil society, local media and governments, to:

• Produce creative programmes in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues;
• Strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure.

Job Purpose:

The BBC WST is seeking a Project Coordinator to be based in Nairobi and to assist in managing all aspects of the organisation’s projects in Somalia and Kenya, under the supervision of the Country Director.

The Project Coordinator will be part of a team of international trainers, researchers, finance/ admin staff, and local journalism training mentors.

He/ she will oversee the delivery of a number of projects, including liaising with donors and making sure that project activities are implemented in a timely and effective manner.

Main Duties:

• To help lead on delivery and support of all projects
• To handle co-ordination with all partners in these projects, including local partner organisations, local radio stations, journalists’ associations and project donors
• To deliver narrative reports on project implementation to the BBC WS Trust in London and to project donors as required
• To oversee the recruitment of additional staff when needed
• To mediate the relationship between project management and production and the Research and Learning unit; this will include liaising with research teams in London, Kenya and Somalia to ensure delivery of assessment and research elements of projects on time and within budget, providing all necessary assistance to them
• With the support of the Trust’s senior trainer and producer, to ensure that all programming and training meet the highest BBC standards, as well as delivering the project’s development objectives
• Routine travel to, and possibly extended stay in, Hargeisa - as security allows – often at short notice
• To help meet all contractual requirements of the project donors

Knowledge, skills and experience:

Required

• At least three years’ in international development, with demonstrable experience of project planning and management systems
• Good understanding of the role of media and communications in development
• Excellent command of English
• Relevant higher education, preferably in development studies, project/ business management, mass communications or other relevant educational background
• Computer applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet user skills
• Experience in managing people, and administrative functions
• Experience writing project briefs, reports, terms of reference and other project documents
• Good understanding of Somalia with a commitment to, and understanding of, development in the country
• Ability to make sound judgments on editorially sensitive programme issues
• Excellent interpersonal, communications and influencing skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a difficult and politically sensitive environment

Desirable

• Good knowledge of the Somali language
• Good understanding of the role and position of the Somali media
• Knowledge of the media world, preferably with first-hand experience, and particularly of broadcasting
• Interest in public health in the development context
• Experience of financial management (conception, implementation and monitoring)

Competencies:

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

• Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.
• Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resource requirements.
• Leadership – Ability to create a vision and inspire others to realise it irrespective of circumstances.
• Developing Others - is able to recognise the potential (managerial, professional, artistic or otherwise) of others and is willing to foster the development of that potential. Creates a climate in which such potential can be realised.
• Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
• Influencing and Persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw on a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
• Business Management – Is able to understand commercial imperatives and trading relationships, appropriately applies business principles in terms of costs, the market and added value.

Please send your motivation letter and CV (including the names of at least three referees, of which two must be the direct supervisors of your most recent/ current employments) to: aminabbcwst@gmail.com.

Please write ‘Project Coordinator’ in the subject field of your application

Deadline for applications: May 13th. 2011