Employment Opportunities at Media Council of Tanzania

The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) is an independent, voluntary and self regulatory body with the objective of promoting freedom of the media and ensuring the highest professional standards and media accountability in the United Republic of Tanzania.

MCT plans to implement a four-year Programme Strategy (2017 – 2020) that aims at expanding the perimeters of freedom of expression and of the media as well as promoting professionalism and accountability in order to ensure that the Tanzanian media contributes effectively to the country’s development and democratic processes.

As part of implementation of its Strategy, MCT would like to recruit competent Tanzanians to fill the vacancies below.

1.    HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Human Resources and Administrative Manager shall provide leadership for all human resources and administration functions within the Council; aligns HR initiatives with MCT mission, values and Strategy in support of evolving HR needs. Human Resources and Administrative Manager shall carry out day to day administrative functions, including supervising support staff and interacting with programme staff to ensure the needed programme support is forthcoming, timely and effective.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Provide leadership and oversee HR operations to ensure strategic initiatives are implemented with a strong emphasis on recruitment, career development and retention of high-quality staff;
b)    Ensure Annual HR and Administrative work plans are implemented as planned with high quality and standards;
c)    Develop and implement HR strategies, plans and budgets that support Council objectives, and ensure full implementation of defined HR standards and good practices;
d)    Lead on the human resources planning process to determine the Council’s long-term staffing needs and prepare personnel forecasts;
e)    Administer performance management processes that include performance development plans to align employee performance with Council goals and objectives and assist management in creating and retaining high performance employees and teams;
f)    Facilitate employee communication, provide employee services and counseling, advise on disciplinary, grievance and conflict resolution procedures, and promote employee safety, welfare, wellness and health;
g)    Administer and resolve employee relations issues and assist management with conflict resolution to ensure that issues are identified and addressed promptly, appropriately and fairly.
h)    Liaise with Head of MCT Zanzibar Office to ensure effective and timely implementation of HR activities on the Isles;
i)    Ensure communication and compliance with all internal policies and procedures as well as external regulations and applicable labour laws;
j)    Administer personnel benefits and compliance with tax laws, including employees terms and conditions of service, salaries & benefits, employment contracts , and leave;
k)    Manage and update personal files for MCT staff and ensure all the required documents are available;
l)    Coordinate learning and development plan, identify growth and development opportunities for high potential staff, and facilitate management & leadership development initiatives;
m)    Direct and oversee all administrative support activities, which includes Human Resource Information System (HRIS), payroll administration, staff benefits processing, and management of retirement benefits scheme, office supplies, security, preventive and corrective maintenance, mail room, and transportation;
n)    Advice ES on the new developments in HR management discourse;
o)    Negotiate contracts relating to HR and administration issues and prepare Council contracts for staff, consultants and service providers, etc;
p)    Conduct investigations when employee complaints or concerns are brought forth and advise ES accordingly;
q)    Follow up employment and consultants’ contracts and advise Managers on imminent issues like end of probation, end of contract and payment dates;
r)    Facilitate timely acquisitions of working tools and other day to day requirements for smooth running of programmes units;
s)    Liaise with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to ensure that contracts include specifications for internal monitoring requirements and reporting systems;
t)    Oversee delivery of efficient administrative services including documentation, archiving, property and building maintenance as well as insurance and management of all MCT non-current assets;
u)    Oversee procurement processes and functions of the Council;
v)    Participate in and give quality input to Tender Board deliberations;
w)    Oversee efficient operations of IT functions;
x)    Administer all medical related issues for MCT staff and their eligible family members;
y)    Prepare  departmental work plans and budget;
z)    Any other duties as may be assigned by Executive Secretary.
  
Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management. A masters/MBA would be an added advantage.
•    At least 5 years of managerial experience in HR and Administrative issues.
•    At least 3 years of Managerial experience in Information Technology issues.
•    At least 3years experience in procurement procedures.
•    Experience working in civil society organisations will be an added advantage.

Competencies:
•    Excellent skills in HR systems design, management techniques, budgeting, counseling and organization.
•    Understanding of Labour law and regulations.
•    Experience and expertise in recruitment, training, performance appraisals and negotiation skills.
•    Ability to lead in a ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ manner that is perceived to be people-centric and effective at both strategic and tactical levels.
•    Strong problem solver with strategic acumen, organizational diagnostic skills, analytical skills and excellent team building skills;
•    Excellent interpersonal, communications, customer’s service, consulting, coaching and organizational skills, with track record of driving change and innovation.
Culturally astute, respectful and tolerant, able to promote and support diversity in the workplace, and able to gain the trust and respect of the team.

2.    PROGRAMME MANAGER

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Programme Manager (PM) shall oversees Programme implementation leading the team in implementing MCT activities of advocacy, mediation and arbitration, media monitoring, and press freedom violation register; as well as projects for specific outputs.
   
Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Oversee and ensure implementation of programme activities of the Council as per Programme Strategy and approved Annual work plans;
b)    Provide support to the Executive Secretary (ES) in handling complaints brought against media outlets at Secretariat level;
c)    Assist the Executive Secretary (ES) in identifying, developing and maintaining useful networks;
d)    Assist the Executive Secretary (ES) in fundraising for Council activities and sustainability;
e)    Take lead in Council advocacy activities;
f)    Ensure Code of Ethics for media professionals are up to date;
g)    Identify problems and any irregularities in the process of implementing programme activities and advise the ES accordingly;
h)    Participate in and give quality input to Management Team and Tender Board deliberations;
i)    Liaise with MCT Zanzibar office to ensure effective and timely implementation of Programme activities on the Isles;
j)    Supervise and mentor programme officers, other staff, volunteers and interns as may be required;
k)    Prepare departmental plans and budgets and participate in Council planning, review and budget process;
l)    Ensure the work of contracted programme consultants, contributors and editors is of high quality and standards;
m)    Liaise with Council Zanzibar office to ensure effective and timely implementation of programme activities on the Isles;
n)    Oversee preparation of quarterly, semiannual and annual monitoring and implementation reports and ensure timely preparation  and dissemination of  regular reports on media monitoring;
o)    Oversee Press Freedom Violation Register activities;
p)    Prepare and analyses on policies and media laws;
q)    Provide technical backstopping to Government officials, MPs, MHRs and relevant Standing Committees on matters related to MCT agenda;
r)    Coordinate publication of bimonthly online Media Watch and Barazani Newsletters;
s)    Coordinate  litigation process against retrogressive media laws;
t)    Liaise with  stakeholders in the media sector and with all those involved in the media sector for relevant interventions;
u)    Oversee usage of NACTE validated standardized journalism curricula and benchmarks for certificate, advanced certificate and diploma levels (NTA levels 4 - 6);
v)    Oversee preparation and production of annual State of the Media Report;
a)    Write activity reports and keep records of the same.    

Key Qualifications and Experience:

•    Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with 5years experience in journalism, mass communication or relevant social sciences; or Diploma in Journalism with 10years experience.   

Competencies:
•    In-depth  understanding of media self regulation, press freedom and freedom of expression issues;
•    Broad knowledge of the Tanzania media sector dynamics;
•    Strong managerial and administrative skills;
•    Proven experience and competence in advocacy work;
•    Ability to lead in a participatory, roll-up-your sleeves manner;
•    Strong  analytical skills;
•    Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports;
•    Excellent attention to detail;
•    Results oriented;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision, and as an effective team member.

3.    MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (MEO) shall oversee MCT monitoring and evaluation strategy and systems implementation. MEO shall provide leadership to MCT team in preparing and updating monitoring and evaluation tools, processes and incorporating M&E requirements in all Council interventions. Interprets Programme Strategy and determine its M&E needs. Oversees MCT monitoring and evaluation strategy and systems implementation. Provides leadership to MCT team in preparing and updating monitoring and evaluation tools, processes and incorporating M&E requirements in all Council interventions. Interprets Programme Strategy and determine its M&E needs.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)Coordinate MCT Monitoring  and Evaluation ( M& E) activities on a day to day basis;
b)    Design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation plan for the Council;
c)    Facilitate development of participatory monitoring and evaluation systems and set standards to ensure uniformity among units;
d)    Ensure capacity building by training staff in basic M&E processes  facilitating staff to document and share case studies, success stories, best practices and challenges on a regular basis;
e)    Organize, in consultation with the Executive Secretary, formal evaluation for the Programme Strategy implementation;
f)    Provide analytical reports with findings, recommendations and lessons learnt;
g)    Inform the development of Annual Work Plan and Budget;
h)    Support the Executive Secretary in the preparation of annual, semi annual and quarterly review and planning meetings, and in the preparations of reports to the Governing Board and donors;
i)    Ensure that all vendor and partner contracts include specifications for the internal monitoring requirements and reporting systems;
j)    Review, monitor and keep track of activity memos;
k)    Support the units in programme planning, information gathering and synthesis, reflection and reporting processes;
l)    Prepare periodic and annual M&E reports;
m)    Systematically assess actual practice against organisational policies and directives and make recommendations for improvement at least once per quarter (what works and what doesn’t work and why);
n)    Undertake regular spot checks and when requested by the Executive Secretary to verify compliance with policies and plans;
o)    Work with the units to ensure activity work plans and monitoring plans include relevant and effective performance measures;
p)    Make regular reports to management, highlighting areas of concern and preparing the documentation for review, including recommendation for review or corrective measures;
q)    Any other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Secretary.      

Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Post graduate degree in Monitoring and Evaluation or Bachelor degree in development studies, social science or statistics. Masters in Monitoring and evaluation will be an added advantage.
•    Three years experience in project monitoring and evaluation, preferably in a civil society organisation.
•    Thorough knowledge of M&E systems, including indicator development, data collection and analysis, data validation, data audits and performance reporting  

Competencies:
•    Ability to apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies in monitoring, evaluation and research;
•    Strong IT and computer skills necessary for information systems management, database design and management, data analysis and reporting, use of relevant statistical packages;
•    Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports;
•    Excellent report writing skills;
•    Results oriented outlook;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision, and as an effective team member;
•    Ability to keep deadlines;
•    Proven knowledge of current discourse on theory of change, impact evaluation and related aspects is desirable.

4.    ZANZIBAR SENIOR PROGRAMMES OFFICER

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Zanzibar Senior Programme Officer (ZSPO) shall coordinate MCT Programmes activities in Zanzibar, interpret the Programme Strategy and determine relevant interventions. The Senior Programme Officer shall oversee Council activities in Zanzibar.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Act as first point of reference for stakeholders on matters concerning the Council in Zanzibar and advise ES on maintaining good relations with stakeholders including Government;
b)    Safe keep and ensure prudent and optimum utilisation of Council Zanzibar office assets and resources;
c)    Identify problems and any irregularities in the process of implementing programme activities and suggest solutions to the ES;
d)    Implement and coordinate MCT advocacy activities in Zanzibar;
e)    Maintain Register of Press Freedom Violations in Zanzibar;
f)    Receive and process complaints against media in Zanzibar;
g)    Promote Council membership in Zanzibar and follow up on payment of membership fees of Zanzibar members;
h)    Maintain the good name of the Council in Zanzibar;
i)    Ensure proper line of communication between  head office and Zanzibar office;
j)    Update ES on Zanzibar office performance and Zanzibar media needs and context on a regular basis;
k)    Prepare of quarterly, semiannual and annual programme implementation reports and ensure timely preparation  and dissemination of  regular reports by Zanzibar office;
l)    Prepare proposals relating to additional sources of funding for submission to the ES to support Council activities in Zanzibar;
m)    Participate in and give quality input to Tender Board deliberations
n)    Liaise with Dar Office in preparing budgets;
o)    Manage Council events;
p)    Administer office petty cash;
q)    Coordinate and supervise interns and volunteers  in the Council Zanzibar office;
r)    Follow up on utility bills and advise on payment;
s)    Ensure clean office and pleasant environment by supervising outsourced cleaning staff ;
t)    Ensure proper maintenance of files, documentation and information resource centre in Zanzibar;
u)    Analyze newspapers and electronic media to provide basis for quality internal discussion and planning;
v)    Ensure efficient running of Council Zanzibar IRC;
w)    Write  result based activity reports, quarterly, semiannual and annual reports on the  Council’s Programme activities in Zanzibar;
x)    Produce content for daily update of Council website;
r)    Carry out other duties as may be assigned.      

Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication or other social sciences with 5 years of relevant experience or Diploma in Journalism with 7years of relevant experience.

Competencies:
•    In-depth  understanding of Zanzibar media dynamics;
•    Strong  advocacy skills;
•    Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports;
•    Administrative skills;
•    Pro-active and capable of following up interventions to their intended conclusion;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision.

5.    CEOs’ SECRETARY  

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to Human Resources and Administrative Manager, CEOs’ Secretary cum Receptionist shall undertake administrative/executive support related tasks such as conducting background research, handling sensitive information requests, preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, scheduling meetings, and providing support for Governance meetings.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Manage Executive Secretary’s official diary and work load, support the Executive Secretary to be on top of his responsibilities;
b)    Manage information and communication flow between the Executive Secretary’s office and staff and external parties;
c)    Manage Executive Secretary Office (ESO) budget and support Executive Secretary to ensure timely implementation of ESO  work plans;
d)    Review and scrutinize all key documents submitted to the Executive Secretary for quality, accuracy and compliance with policies and standards;
e)     Organize logistics of meetings for MCT Management team, Governing Board, Board of Trustees and donors
f)    Prepare and monitor budgets and expenditures for MCT Governance section.
g)    Follow up on various guidelines and guidance issued by the Executive Secretary to staff;
h)    Coordinate MCT’s Executive Secretary representation in regional/international bodies such as World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) and International Press Institute (IPI);
i)       Prepare background briefs for upcoming Executive Secretary meetings and external official engagements;
j)       Ensure proper arrangement of the Executive Secretary air  & surface travel, hotel and rental cars as maybe necessary;
k)    Receive and courteously answer and direct calls by connecting calls to the respective contact persons in order to facilitate smooth communication;
l)    Receive, record and deliver messages and letters using register and/or diary for the attention of the ES;
m)    Receive and attend visitors by directing them to the relevant officials aimed at making visitors get proper courtesy and prompt attention;
n)    Ensure front office is neat and attractive;
o)    Provide  administrative secretarial and clerical support services in order to ensure efficiency and effectiveness within the office ;
p)    Make approved flight bookings and keep register of flight tickets, trips and invoices;
q)    Organise and coordinate staff meetings;
r)    Record and coordinate delivery of all outgoing mail;
s)    Ensure all correspondence and reports are filed timely and sequentially;
s)       Any other duties as may be assigned by superiors.    

Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Diploma in Secretarial studies/Business Administration or its equivalent from relevant institution
•    Must have at least three years work experience.

Competencies:
•    Fluency in both English and Kiswahili.
•    Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications
•    Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
•    Knowledge of  administrative and clerical procedures and systems;
•    Excellent communication and computer skills.
•    Great interpersonal skills to deal with diverse personalities;
•    Excellent attention to detail;
•    Excellent calendar management skills, including the coordination of complex executives meetings;
•    Experience in the creation of Power Point  presentations;
•    Experience scheduling travel arrangements for executives.

6.    PROGRAMME OFFICER – PRESS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS  

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Programme Officer shall document, publish and follow up on Press freedom violations so that stakeholders and the public are provided with empirical evidence.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Monitor press freedom violations (PFV) and prepare monthly reports;
b)    Maintain and Update National Press Freedom Violations Register;
c)    Coordinate investigations on press freedom violations;
d)    Ensure timely preparation and publication of the annual PFV reports;
e)    Liaise with media outlets on issues concerning press freedom and access to information;
f)    Coordinate production of  IEC materials around right to information and press freedom;
g)    Assess partners’ needs on Access to Information and Press Freedom campaigns and design appropriate interventions;
h)    Advise the Programmes Manager on engagement with the relevant authorities on press freedom violations(PFV);
i)    Update the Programme Manager on matters which need rapid response on PFVR;
j)    Establish and facilitate regional press freedom violations focal points to report on violations;
k)    Coordinate national wide sensitization seminars on Register;
l)    Publicize Press Freedom Violations Register (PFVR);
m)    Ensure all PFVR records and correspondence are properly referenced and filed timely and sequentially into the agreed and approved records management systems;
n)    Analyze newspapers and electronic media to provide basis for quality interventions;
o)    Liaise with the Zanzibar Officer to ensure effective and timely implementation of similar activities on the Isles;
p)    Popularize the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Editorial Freedom, Independence and Responsibility (DEFIR) and support Universities to integrate DEFIR in Journalism Training;
q)    Co-organise important local and international commemorations.
r)    Ensure Council social media platforms (face book, twitter, whatsApp) are effectively utilized to disseminate, discuss and coalesce around press freedom, editorial independence and freedom of expression issues;
s)    Prepare activity reports of all activities under your docket cause proper filing;
t)    Any other duties as may be assigned by superiors.  

Key Qualifications and Experience:

•    Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in journalism, mass communication or other social sciences.
•    3 years of relevant experience.

Competencies:
•    Excellent report writing skills;
•    In-depth  understanding of press freedom and editorial independence discourse;
•    Strong  analytical skills;
•    Results oriented;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision, and as an effective team member.

7.    PROGRAMME OFFICER – ADVOCACY, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION  

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Programme Officer shall implement Council activities to enhance ethical practice and conciliate between media and public thus ensuring media accountability, efficacy and credibility.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Process complaints brought before the Council;
b)    Coordinate mediation sessions at Secretariat level;
c)    Organize arbitration sessions of the MCT Ethics Committee;
d)    Liaise with media houses to publish the Ethics Committee decisions;
e)    Advice the Manager on engagement with media houses regarding ethical transgressions;
f)    Co-organize  public forums on media related issues;
g)    Coordinate the compilation and publication of records/ book on arbitrated cases;
h)    Prepare public service ads on the work of MCT;
i)    Coordinate periodic review of Codes of Ethics
j)    Prepare periodic and annual reports as required
k)    Provide support to the Executive Secretary (ES) in handling complaints brought against media outlets at Secretariat level;
l)    Coordinate activities of the Ethics Committee;
m)    Follow up the implementation of the decisions of the Ethics Committee;
n)    Liaise with stakeholders and coordinate public forums, encounters and public debates on media related issues for various stakeholders;
o)    Prepare activity reports of all activities under your docket cause proper filing;
p)    Engage with editors on ethical misconduct as part of interventions;
q)    Conduct  and coordinate press conferences and TV talk shows on media ethical conduct;
r)    Participate in departmental planning and budgeting;
s)    Prepare of quarterly, semiannual and annual implementation reports ;
t)    Liaise with the Zanzibar Programme Officer to ensure effective and timely implementation of similar activities on the Isles;
u)    Produce advocacy content for MCT social media platforms to enhance debate and collective understanding and action for realization of quality media and editorial independence;
v)    Organize activities of coalitions led by MCT, meetings with Government officials and stakeholders on MCT endeavor to review the Information and Broadcasting policy;
w)    Provide support to litigation against retrogressive media laws;
x)    Prepare activity reports and ensure timely and appropriate record keeping of the same;
y)    Any other duties as may be assigned by superiors.  

Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in journalism, mass communication or other social sciences.
•    3 years of relevant experience;

Competencies:
•    In-depth  understanding of journalism ethics, standards and
processes;
•    Strong advocacy skills;
•    Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports;
•    Results oriented;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision, and as an effective team member.

8.    PROGRAMME OFFICER – MEDIA MONITORING

Overall Responsibility:
Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Programme Officer shall implement Council activities to proactively foster media quality and ensure highest standards so that media effectively fulfils its roles.

Duties and responsibilities of the employee:
a)    Conduct media monitoring and advise Programme Manager accordingly on engagement with media houses regarding ethical transgressions;
b)    Update the Programme Manager on ethical matters which need rapid response;
c)    Liaise with outsourced media monitoring firm and ensure effective contract management with the firm;
d)    Supervise volunteers and interns assigned to media monitoring;
e)    Analyze newspapers and electronic media to provide basis for quality discussion during the departmental meetings;
f)    Coordinate quality assurance of journalism training and benchmarking activities to ensure quality and standards of journalism training;
g)    Organize  MCT curricula-related training for tutors of schools of journalism;
h)    Oversee usage of NACTE validated standardized MCT  journalism curricula and benchmarks for certificate, advanced certificate and diploma levels;
i)    Coordinate reviews of the NACTE validated MCT curricula and benchmarks;
j)    Coordinate the young journalists mentoring and internship programme;
k)    Organise the annual Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania (EJAT) ,
l)    Liaise with the Zanzibar Programmes Officer to ensure effective and timely implementation of similar activities on the Isles;
m)    Manage timely production and distribution of Council’s publications;
n)    Develop and operationalize mechanism for ensuring monitoring and archiving of MCT related media coverage;
o)    Coordinate dissemination workshops on semiannual monitoring reports;
p)    Critically analyze newspaper and specified electronic media broadcast  content and provide briefing of the findings to the departmental meetings;
q)    Ensure timely preparation, publication and dissemination of monitoring reports;
r)    Prepare activity reports and ensure timely and appropriate record keeping of the same;
s)    Participate in departmental planning;
t)    Update and record all key media developments and milestones whose contents may qualify for annual State of the Media Report;
u)    Man Council IRC in Dar es Salaam;
v)    Produce content for daily update of Council website;
w)    Prepare activity reports of all activities under your docket and cause proper filing;
x)    Ensure timely production of annual State of the Media report, Yearbook of Media Quality and Scribes journal;
t)    Any other duties as may be assigned by superiors.      

Key Qualifications and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in journalism, mass communication or other social sciences.
•    3 years of relevant experience;

Competencies:
•    In-depth  understanding of journalism ethics , standards and
processes;
•    Strong  analytical skills;
•    Solid communication skills, both written and oral, in English and Kiswahili, and ability to produce concise reports;
•    Excellent attention to detail;
•    Results oriented;
•    Ability to proactively work independently with minimum supervision, and as an effective team member.

MODE OF APPLICATION

To apply, submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with email address, telephone number, copies of relevant certificates/testimonials, and names of three professional referees. Applicants are required to download job application form from the the link below

Job Application Form

or MCT website www.mct.or.tz  and submit it along with their application through the address below:

Executive Secretary,
Media Council of Tanzania,
PO Box 10160,
Dar es Salaam.

OR  recruitment@mct.or.tz OR hand deliveries at MCT offices located in Mwenge, along Coca cola Road, Josam House, Block B, First Floor, Suite no B12.
Closing date is January 31, 2017. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

MCT is an equal opportunity employer therefore all people are encouraged to apply.