Somalia: Project Director, Somalia and Somaliland

Title: Project Director, Somalia and Somaliland

Reports to: Deputy Country Director,

Based: Hargeisa,

Duration: 10 months, fixed term contract

BBC Media Action

BBC Media Action uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. To achieve this, it 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.

BBC Media Action delivers a portfolio of media projects in Somalia and Somaliland. We seek to expand our portfolio of work, but also to ensure that existing projects are delivered on time, on budget, to the highest standards and in accordance with BBC editorial values as well as Media Action methodologies.

Overall Purpose of Job

The Project Director will be responsible for the overall management and delivery of at least one complex, high-value project which utilises the power of media to support accountability. S/he will also take on responsibility for all other projects in the areas of governance, health and resilience anticipated to begin in 2017. S/he will be responsible for overseeing budget management of projects, and for reporting on editorial and operational progress to the Country Director and Deputy Country Director. S/he will manage a diverse team and liaise with relevant teams in the London headquarters and with project donors.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. To efficiently oversee the planning and implementation of country projects; and manage Project Manager(s) in line with BBC policies and procedures.

2. To manage project budgets and maintain a good security overview of staff safety and activities, be able to monitor and access risks on a regular practical basis 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.

3. To ensure the design and implementation of project activities adhere to work-plan and log-frame commitments and remain in line with BBC editorial standards and values and Media Action’s best practice.

4. Ensure all BBC outputs are in line with the BBC editorial guidelines and that effective relationship with Somalia and Somaliland sources are established and maintained.

5. To work closely with the Senior Research Officer in the design and coordination of monitoring and evaluation and to conduct regular review and feedback sessions, adjusting project delivery as necessary upon approval.

6. To develop good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including local broadcasters and relevant NGOs and CSOs.

7. Ensure business development activities sustaining the Somalia and Somaliland Programmes, writing proposals and designing project activities for review by the Country Director as required. This will involve working with the Country Director, Deputy 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.

8. 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 to ensure that training meets Media Action’s high standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

1. Experience of senior project management in a developing-country context, preferably in Somalia and Somaliland, with demonstrated capacity to manage large-scale projects effectively (circa 200K GBP per annum).

2. Strong financial management skills, with proven experience managing large and complex budgets, including accurate and timely financial and narrative reporting to donors.

3. A proven track-record in international development; experience in the use of media to achieve development goals is an advantage. Experience of working in one or more of the governance, health and resilience sectors is an advantage, as is experience in capacity-building implementation.

4. Experience of managing teams of local and international staff, preferably within a developing country context, at a level which demonstrates experience in developing and improving systems and processes.

5. Previous experience of all aspects of writing successful donor proposals, including project research and development, log-frames, budgets etc.

6. Awareness of the BBC's editorial values and an instinct for how to apply these to media development projects. The potential to acquire strong media editorial leadership skills in order to make sensitive editorial judgements at a senior level.

7. Experience in managing risk and staff safety in insecure environments. Ability to work on own initiative and organise time effectively within a range of often conflicting deadlines.

8. The ability to forge strong working relations quickly and gain the trust of media house managers, editors, participating NGOs and senior staff in the region.

9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills including excellent fluent written and spoken English and Somali.

10. Demonstrable creative ability, with a proven track-record in project design development and implementation.

Desirable

· Knowledge of regional and international current affairs.

· Experience of working on accountability in Somalia and Somaliland, or at least awareness of its geopolitics.

· Proven experience of working in media projects is highly desirable. Applicants with extremely sound ideas, but little production experience will be considered on evidence of creativity and potential.

Key competencies

Managing relationships and team work

· Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.

· Works co-operatively 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.

· Ability to motivate staff and ensure team tasks and deliverables achieved to high quality.

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.

Change Management

· Able to understand and anticipate the need for change and to build frameworks for planning and managing the continuous process of change.

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.

Resilience

· 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.

DATE OF UPDATE: 20 December 2016

ANTICIPATED START DATE: January 2017

Interested candidates, who fulfil the criteria above, should send their application to: bbcmahrg@gmail.com Applications should include CV and a cover letter in one document.

Interested candidates, who fulfil the criteria above, should send their application to: bbcmahrg@gmail.com Applications should include CV and a cover letter in one document.

The closing date for applications is 5^th January 2017 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.