UKAID Connect Project Director Freelance

Cockram
Location: London with 30% travel to medium/high risk countries
Duration: 9 months Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover)
Start Date: January 2020 (Subject to Donor Contract Signature)
Department: International Programmes
Level of Effort: 100%
Line Manager: IEU Director of Programmes
Supervises: Project staff, as assigned
About Internews
Internews is an international non-profit organisation whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard.
Internews provides communities the resources to produce local news and information with integrity and independence. With global expertise and reach, Internews trains both media professionals and citizen journalists, introduces innovative media solutions, increases coverage of vital issues and helps establish policies needed for open access to information.
Internews programmes create platforms for dialogue and enable informed debate, which bring about social and economic progress. Internews’ commitment to research and evaluation creates effective and sustainable programs, even in the most challenging environments.
Internews operates internationally, with administrative centres in California, Washington DC, and London, as well as regional hubs in Bangkok and Nairobi. Formed in 1982, Internews has worked in more than 90 countries, and currently has offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.
GENERAL FUNCTION:
Internews is seeking a maternity cover to act as a Project Director to lead Internews’ pillar of work on two UK Aid Connect Consortium projects: Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments for Sustainable SRHR ( ACCESS), led by the International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF) and dedicated to improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of the world’s most marginalized populations and Protecting Rights, Openness and Transparency Enhancing Civic Transformation (PROTECT) led by Article19 and aims to promote free, open and inclusive societies in Kenya, Malawi and Myanmar by empowering Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and strengthening media and infomediaries to fulfil their role in building democratic societies and holding governments accountable.
The Project Director will be responsible for managing the inception and start-up of the implementation phase of these two projects which are the culmination of two simultaneous, year-long co-creation periods which co-designed project activities with consortium partners across multiple countries, including Internews regional offices and country projects, and Internews’ global headquarters.
The Project Director will provide strategic guidance and leadership for the program; ensure proper oversight of Internews personnel, financial management and administration; manage the implementation of activities across both projects in multiple countries and be the primary, proactive coordinator for Internews with other consortia members at HQ for the ACCESS and PROTECT DFID-funding projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may be assigned:

• Be the primary point of contact for liaison with our prime partners, Article19 and IPPF
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of local media and sexual and reproductive health issues in all countries of focus;
• Provide general oversight and management of the programme, including programme management, strategic vision, budget management, fiscal integrity, quality and timing of deliverables, and coordination with partners;
• Responsible for the quality, cost, and timeliness of performance of all work performed under the funding contract;
• Ensures high quality narrative and financial work plans and reports, grant management, monitoring and evaluation, linking and learning, and financial management.
• Oversees the relationship between Internews Finance and Administration staff and the ACCESS and PROTECT Consortium Finance staff to ensure sound financial management and adherence to financial policies and procedures including due diligence, procurement and contracting of consortium and expert partners, in line with Internews and donor requirements.
• Engage with other consortium partners in the delivery of technical activities.
• Recruit and manage Internews programme support staff and consultants that provide technical assistance and support for the programmes.
• Liaise with Internews Country offices to ensure they are set up to manage and account for all research, meeting and technical activities in country; provide all necessary support and back-stopping to ensure activities are properly implemented in line with the project objectives
• Oversee due diligence process for selection and vetting of local partners
• Oversee relationship between Internews Security team and IPPF and Article19 security team.
• Ensue safeguarding training is conducted for all staff working on project
• Act as the primary liaison with Internews Europe Grants & Contracts and Accounting teams throughout project implementation
• Proactively communicate challenges facing the project, and articulate the project’s successes in meeting those challenges;
• Prepare bi-weekly and quarterly programmatic reports; and any other reports as required
• Develop and maintain contact with local stakeholders;
• Ensures that knowledge and learning from the project is shared across the organisation and contributes to the strategic development of Internews.
• Participates in team meetings and other internal organizational and decision-making groups.
• Represents Internews and ACCESS/PROTECT at external events and forums.
• Undertakes other tasks associated with this role which may reasonably be required by Internews Country Director and ACCESS/PROTECT Consortium Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• 10 years of professional experience as a health communication manager, health media development expert and/or Governance or Freedom of Expression programming; OR Relevant professional experience managing health communication and/or journalism projects
• Substantial experienced working as a Project Manager in complex/challenging environments.
• Willingness to travel to complex/challenging environments
• Familiarity with DFID/UK Aid Connect mechanisms, requirements, especially in the Health and/or Governance sectors.
• Strong experience working in consortia, and coordinating among multiple implementers and partners;
• A successful track record in supervising, designing, managing, and implementing technical assistance for donor-funded health media projects and proven ability to develop and monitor work plans, training plans, and procurement plans;
• Strong interpersonal skills, necessary to maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders;
• Relevant University degree;
• Fluency in English required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met or may be encountered by an employee performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for use of computer terminal and reading printed and electronic materials. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold and heat and regularly exposed to the risk of radiation from regular exposure to computer VDTs. Many cities where the duties of this job are performed have less than adequate heating and/or electric facilities, lack hot water, heat, and gas.
Work hours are moderately flexible, but generally Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 12 December 2019

Candidates must submit a succinct covering letter of no more than 2-pages explaining how they satisfy the requirements of the person speciation in addition to a CV highlighting relevant experience. The successful candidate will also be asked to provide three professional referees, one of whom must be from their most recent employer.
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, all the tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the job holder a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position .
This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must obtain the Right to Work in the UK in order to commence their employment
Internews Network is registered as a 501(c)3 organization in California, EIN 94-. Internews Europe is registered in England and Wales as a Charity no. and Company no. . Registered Offices: New City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London, EC1V 9FR, United Kingdom.